SINGAPORE -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth II arrived Monday from London for a three-day official visit en route to Malaysia, where she opens the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Oct. 18.
Accompanying the queen was the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip and 13 dignitaries from the royal household.
The queen was given a red carpet welcome and greeted at Changi Airport by Education Minister Tony Tan Keng Yam.
British High Commissioner Michael Edmund Pike said the visit by the queen and duke was an opportunity to 'celebrate and reinforce the closest of relationships' between Singaporeans and Britons. The queen's last state visit to Singapore was in 1972.
The opposition Workers' Party petitioned the queen in June to reconsider her visit to Singapore, saying her presence would condone government actions that the party said 'deny the values' she embodies.
The request was turned down.
Under tight security, the queen was whisked off to a ceremonial welcome at the presidential palace Istana for the presentation of cabinet ministers, Singapore dignitaries and member of the diplomatic corps.
The queen then called on President Wee Kim Wee and Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew before heading for the royal yacht Britannia, which had sailed into Singapore from Malaysia Friday for her private dinner.
The queen was to attend a state banquet Tuesday hosted by the president and a lunch Wednesday hosted by the prime minister.
Her itinerary also includes a tour of Singapore's waterfront, visits to Townsville Primary School, Ang Mo Kio Town Center, the National University of Singapore, the Tanjong Pagar Conservation Area and Parliament House. She also will lay a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial to commemorate soldiers who died during World War II.
Before sailing aboard the Britannia for Malaysia to open the Commonwealth meeting Oct. 18, the queen was to host a banquet and a reception aboard yacht in honor of Singapore's president.
