South Africa's Zuma in Britain for state visit

South African President Jacob Zuma flew into London on Tuesday for a state visit to Britain which will mix lavish pomp and ceremony with sporting trips and talks on Zimbabwe.

The president and Thobeka Madiba Zuma, the newest of his three wives, arrived at Heathrow before the three-day visit officially begins on Wednesday.

Zuma, 67, is escaping a damaging scandal at home over his 20th child -- a lovechild born to the daughter of an official organising this year's World Cup in South Africa.

"This is his opportunity to present himself as a statesman, leading Africa's most powerful nation," said South African political analyst Dirk Kotze.

Britain will lay on a lavish banquet and state splendour before getting down to talks about Zimbabwe, climate change and other pressing issues between the two Commonwealth countries.

Queen Elizabeth II, 83, usually hosts one or two visiting heads of state each year, when British pageantry goes on full display.

Zuma and his latest wife -- whom he married in January -- will receive a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade in central London where the queen and her husband Prince Philip formally greet their guests.

The president -- who has had five wives in all, of whom one died and another he divorced -- will review a guard of honour with the prince on Wednesday before a state carriage procession along The Mall.

The ceremonial route to Buckingham Palace is already lined with British and South African flags in preparation.

In a sign of the visit's importance, Brown will miss his weekly question time in parliament in order to attend the ceremony.

"State visits always have a key role for the prime minister in the ceremony," said Brown's spokesman.

"The prime minister will be expected -- and would expect -- to be on Horse Guards as the state visit ceremony starts," he added.

After a private lunch at the palace, the queen will take Zuma to the picture gallery to show him South Africa-related items in the royal collection.

He will then visit the north London home of South African anti-apartheid figure Oliver Tambo.

Later he will meet opposition Tory leader David Cameron, who could become prime minister within weeks should his party triumph at the upcoming election.

Then Queen Elizabeth will give a glittering state banquet in the palace ballroom, when both the sovereign and the president will make their major speeches.

On Thursday, Zuma visits Brown for political talks and will address MPs.

Zuma's office said the president and Brown would discuss the fragile unity government in South Africa's neighbour Zimbabwe, which has failed to make major headway since it was installed a year ago.

He will also visit the site of the 2012 Olympics and Wembley Stadium, where he will kick a symbolic penalty.

Later, he will attend a banquet given by the Lord Mayor and Corporation of London.

On Friday, after a formal goodbye from the queen, Zuma will meet with Prince Charles and representatives the prince's charities working in South Africa.

Britain is South Africa's fourth largest export partner, with two-way trade at 74.9 billion rand ((£6.6 billion) in 2008, according to government statistics.