President Barack Obama today said the relationship between the U.S. and Britain is 'the strongest that it has ever been' as he welcomed David Cameron to Washington in a lavish ceremony at the White House.
On a sun-drenched South Lawn, packed with 7,000 guests - including children from both nations - the Prime Minister basked in the warmth of the friendship offered by the U.S. president.
Mr Cameron returned it in kind, hailing examples of Anglo-American co-operation in war, diplomacy, science and business and describing Britain and the U.S. together as 'the united states of liberty and enterprise'.
The extravagant ceremony, complete with 19-gun salute, a review of troops and marching fifers in colonial-era uniforms, was a far cry from the more low-key welcome offered to Mr Cameron's predecessor Gordon Brown shortly after Mr Obama's arrival at the White House, when the new president was keen to signal that his interests were directed towards Asia.
Now seeking re-election with several years experience of military co-operation with the UK in Afghanistan and Libya, Mr Obama was emphatic about the enduring value of what he terms the transatlantic 'essential relationship'.
The president said:
'Our world has been transformed over and over and it will be again.
'Yet through the grand sweep of history, through all its twists and turns, there is one constant - the rock-solid alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom.
'The reason is simple - we stand together, we work together, we bleed together and we build together, in good times and in bad, because when we do, our nations are more secure, our people are more prosperous, our world is a safer and better and more just place.'
'Our alliance is essential, it is indispensable to the prosperity and security that we seek not only for our own citizens but for people around the world.'
He won laughter from the Prime Minister and the crowd by slipping into British English to tell Mr Cameron: 'We are chuffed to bits that you are here, I'm looking forward to a great natter, I'm confident that we are going to keep the relationship between our two great nations absolutely top notch.'
Mr Cameron responded that the relationship between the U.S. and UK had produced 'the most powerful partnership for progress that the world has ever seen'.
Britons and Americans were 'kindred spirits' with a belief in creativity, innovation and risk-taking, who were ready to back their words with actions, he added.
'When the chips are down, Britain and America know we can always count on each other, because we are allies, not just prepared to say the right thing, but to do the right thing and to do it in the right way,' said Mr Cameron.
He sought to remind Americans of the importance of their shared economic ties at a time when U.S. attentions are increasingly directed towards rising Pacific giants like China.
British direct investment in the U.S. was 140 times that of China and total foreign direct investment between the two states, at $900billion (£570billion), was the largest in the world.
Both leaders were keen to stress how they had deepened their personal relationship with a trip to watch basketball in Ohio last night.
Mr Cameron joked that he had learnt some new words - 'alley-oops, brackets and fast breaks' - and might even install a hoop in 10 Downing Street.
After waving from the White House balcony with their wives - Samantha Cameron in turquoise and blue Roksanda Illinic dress, LK Bennett shoes and an Emilia Wickstead belt; Michelle Obama in an ivory skirt-suit - the two leaders retired to the Oval Office for two hours of talks which form the main business of Mr Cameron's three-day visit.
Top of their agenda will be the timetable for withdrawal of allied troops from Afghanistan, with the leaders expected to seek a date in 2013 when lead security responsibilities can be handed over to home-grown troops.
That date - possibly as early as next summer - will not be finalised until the Nato summit in Chicago in May and no announcements of further troop drawdowns are expected today.
They will also discuss Syria, where Mr Cameron has said he wants to see 'transition not revolution', with political and economic pressure wielded to force Bashar Assad from power.
He and Mr Obama are not expected to consider more radical measures, such as supplying arms to the rebels.
This evening, Mr Obama will host a state dinner for the Camerons in the White House, with British stars including Homeland actor Damian Lewis and Northern Irish golfing champion Rory McIlroy among the guests and English folk revivalists Mumford & Sons performing.
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