Queen astonished as Turkish President's wife Hayrunnisa Gul visits palace in killer heels


If Hayrunnisa Gul was worried about the protocol involved in a visit to meet the Queen at Buckhingham Palace, she did not let it show.
The Turkish President's wife - who is accompanying her husband on a three day state visit to the UK - strode confidently towards her host with a wide smile... and in a pair of ankle boots with six inch heels.
The rarely-phased Queen did look a little surprised by Mrs Gul's impressive choice of footwear. But as the pair posed side-by-side for photographers, it was clear the queen had seen much bigger - although possibly not higher - fashion faux-pas.

One is not amused? The Queen eyes up the Turkish President's wife's ankle boots with six inch heels

Welcome: The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh stand alongside Turkish President Abdullah Gul and his wife, Hayrunnisa, as they arrive at Buckingham Palace for the Turkish state visit
The President of Turkey and his wife were welcomed to Britain amid great pomp and pageantry.
Abdullah Gul's three-day state visit began with a ceremonial greeting under grey, overcast skies on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall.
Thetwo heads of state shook hands warmly in a physical and symbolic gesture of friendship between Turkey and Britain. But Mrs Gul's footwearappeared to initially go unnoticed.
The Queen wore a smarksilver and white wool dress and matching coat by Angela Kelly. Her black patent shoes and bag were much plainer than the accessories Mrs Gul chose.
As well as her impressive boots, the President's wife was wearing her trademark headscarf - an item of clothing which angers secularists in Turkey who see it as an overt Islamic symbol.

VIPs: The Royals met Mr and Mrs Gul at Horse Guard's Parade. David Cameron, William Hague and Theresa May were also there
The royal meeting heralded the start of a busy round of public engagements and political talks over the coming days for the president.
Britain hopes his visit will forge closer links with Turkey - a growing economic powerhouse and an increasingly important trade partner.
The61-year-old has already highlighted the issues which will undoubtedly play a part in discussions with Prime Minister David Cameron later today.
European Union membership is a key goal of his country, which geographically straddles the East and West - and is strongly supported by the UK Government.
Interviewedahead of the visit, Mr Gul told the Sunday Telegraph: 'Some people who think in a narrow scope and who do lack a strategic perspective considerTurkey's membership a burden.

Inspection: Mr Gull took a closer look at the 101 soldiers and three officers from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards - closely followed by the Duke of Edinburgh
Making an impression: Horse Guard's Parade will also be used as a venue at the Olympics next year. Some of the horses there were more well-behaved than others
'Butthose who can think 30 years, 60 years ahead, and who can think about the changing trends in the economy and the changing centres of power, can understand how much strength Turkey can bring to the existing strength of Europe.'
Anotherissue which will play an important part of the talks will be Turkey's influence on its problematic neighbours, Syria - in the grip of mass unrest aimed at overthrowing President Bashar Assad - and Iran - at loggerheads with much of the international community over its nuclear ambitions.
The welcoming ceremony began when the motorcade carrying the President, his wife, and the Prince of Wales swept in to Horse Guards Parade - the site of Henry VIII's jousting yard.

A lot to talk about: The Queen and Mr Abdul rode back to Buckingham palace together after the ceremony
Compassionate Queen: Elizabeth II smiles at something Mr Gul said, and her husband, this morning
As the President's! party a rrived, a 41-gun royal salute fired from nearby GreenPark by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery could be heard in the distance.
The Queen made a state visit to the Turkish republic in May 2008, less than six months after Charles toured the country. The two royal trips highlighted the importance of Britain's relationship with the nation.
When Mr Gul came to office in 2007, his background in Islamic politics angered his country's military elite who are defenders of Turkey's secular heritage. But he has distanced himself from his political roots.

Common interests: The Queen with the President of Turkey as they tour an exhibition of Turkish Artefacts from the Royal collection, in the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Place
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were welcomed their guests on a large covered raised platform. Prime Minister David Cameron, Foreign Secretary William Hague, Home Secretary Theresa May and other dignitaries stood behind them.
The two heads of state shook hands and chatted for a few moments before the Queen introduced the senior members of her Government.
The Queen and the President listened to their respective national anthems which were played by the Band of the Coldstream Guards, before Prince Philip and MrGul inspected the guard of honour of 101 soldiers and three officers.

Getting down to business: Mr Gull with David Cameron at number 10 Downing Street
Infront of them in their grey greatcoats was a guard of honour made up of101 soldiers and three officers from the 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards.
The soldiers, who were wearing greycoats, are fighting servicemen when not performing ceremonial duties.
After the ceremony the party made their way to nearby Buckingham ! Palace i n coaches with soldiers lining the route.
TheQueen, the Duke and Mr and Mrs Gul posed briefly for a photo before heading inside to take a look at the Royal collection of Turkish artefacts.
The Turkish president made his way to Downing Street toget down to business with David Cameron, while his wife presumably rested her tired feet.

BUT WHERE WAS CAMILLA?


Under the weather: Camilla, pictured at yesterday's dinner celebrating 25 years of the National Osteoporosis Society, had to bow out of today's engagements because of a heavy cold
A heavy cold forced the Duchess ofCornwall to cancel her appearance at today's events marking the state visit of the President of Turkey, Clarence House said today.
Camilla was due to join the Queen, senior royals and dignitaries on Horse Guards Parade in Whitehall for the official welcome for Abdullah Gul who has a busy schedule over the coming days.
But a Clarence House spokeswoman said:'Over the past few days the Duchess of Cornwall has been suffering witha heavy cold and is now losing her voice.
'On the advice of her doctor, it is with regret that she is unable to participate in the state visit today.'
The Duchess had been due to travel with her husband, the Prince of Wales, to London's Mandarin hotel - the president's base since he arrived on Sunday - to greet the visiting headof state and his wife and accompany them to Whitehall for the ceremony.
She will miss a private Buckingham Palace lunch with Mr and Mrs Gul, the Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and Charles.
Camilla has also pulled out of the lavish state banquet hosted by the Queen at the Palace in honour of the president this evening.


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