London - Britain's Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrived in Ankara Tuesday for a four-day visit, their first to Turkey since 1971 and one which diplomats say highlights Britain's support of Turkey's efforts to join the European Union. After arriving at Ankara's Esenboga Airport the Queen, 82, and the Duke of Edinburgh, 86, proceeded to lay a wreath at the mausoleum of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of modern secular Turkey.
Accompanied by British Foreign Minister David Miliband, the royal couple were scheduled to meet Turkish President Abdullah Gul Tuesday afternoon before attending a state banquet held in the Queen's honour on Tuesday evening.
The banquet has been controversial in Turkey due to the announcement that Gul's wife Hayrunnisa will be attending the dinner wearing an Islamic-style headscarf, the first time that such a garment will have been worn at a state dinner.
Later in the trip the royal couple are scheduled to visit the western city of Bursa and will tour a school in Istanbul which has links with British students, as well as visiting the city's Modern Art Museum.
The royal visit is seen as highlighting the importance of Britain's relationship with Turkey. Britain has always been a strong supporter of Turkey's efforts to join the European Union.
Turkey became an official candidate in 1999 and entered formal accession negotiations in 2005. The country is also seen as a key ally in the fight against terrorism.
The tour comes less than six months since the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall visited Turkey.
