WORLD leaders lined up for their ‘family photo’ ahead of the official opening of day one of the Nato summit.

The picture, taken outside the Celtic Manor, marks the largest gathering of world leaders ever to assemble in the UK.

Nato Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen and Prime Minister David Cameron shook each leader’s hand welcoming them to the summit before the heads of state made their way inside for the first meeting on Afghanistan.

At the end of this year, Nato’s International Security Assistance Force (ISAF) combat mission to Afghanistan will come to the end meaning that decisions made at the Wales summit will open a new chapter in Nato’s engagement in the country.

The meeting opened with soldiers carrying flags from each of the 28 alliance countries marching into the main conference room.

Last Post was sounded before a minute’s silence was held to pay respect to soldiers who had lost their lives during times of war.

Secretary General Rasmussen said: “You put your lives on the line so that others can be safe.”

He added that the leaders were gathered in Wales to make “important decisions to keep the vital bonds between Europe and North America strong”.