Chilean president Sebastian Pinera is flying into the UK for talks with David Cameron, fresh from greeting the last of the 33 miners to be freed after 69 days underground.
The billionaire is bringing lumps of rock from the bottom of the San Jose mine as gifts for both the Prime Minister and the Queen, who he will meet at Buckingham Palace after a last-minute invitation, The Times said.
President Pinera will visit Churchill's War Rooms on Sunday and Mr Cameron on Monday. He said he was inspired by Churchill's phrase "Blood, toil, tears and sweat" during the desperate wait for the miners' rescue.
The men were found on the day that the president's father-in-law died, with his last words to Mr Pinera being: "Don't give up. Keep working to rescue the miners."
Mr Pinera, 60, visited the mine that day at his wife's insistence and soon after his arrival the note confirming all miners were alive surfaced.
He told the newspaper: "It was a very emotional day. I will never forget that day. My father-in-law losing his life and the 33 miners recovering theirs."
He went to the mine despite advice he stay away, and said: "Many people thought the rescue was impossible and advised me not to get involved, to keep my distance. I decided to take full responsibility without any political consideration... We made a commitment to look for the miners as if they were our sons."
Mr Pinera, elected as president earlier this year, captured the world's attention this week as he stood in a pit helmet at the top of the rescue shaft, ready to greet each miner with a hug and a beaming smile as they emerged.
The Harvard-educated businessman-turned-politician told The Times he hoped Chile's international standing had been boosted by the rescue effort and that British entrepreneurs would now invest more in the country.
"Chile will now be remembered and recognised not for Pinochet but as an example of unity, leadership, courage, faith and success," he added, saying he believed God's help was "absolutely essential" in the successful rescue.
Chilean president Sebastian Pinera is flying into the UK for talks with David Cameron, fresh from greeting the last of the 33 miners to be freed after 69 days underground.
The billionaire is bringing lumps of rock from the bottom of the San Jose mine as gifts for both the Prime Minister and the Queen, who he will meet at Buckingham Palace after a last-minute invitation, The Times said.
President Pinera will visit Churchill's War Rooms on Sunday and Mr Cameron on Monday. He said he was inspired by Churchill's phrase "Blood, toil, tears and sweat" during the desperate wait for the miners' rescue.
The men were found on the day that the president's father-in-law died, with his last words to Mr Pinera being: "Don't give up. Keep working to rescue the miners."
Mr Pinera, 60, visited the mine that day at his wife's insistence and soon after his arrival the note confirming all miners were alive surfaced.
He told the newspaper: "It was a very emotional day. I will never forget that day. My father-in-law losing his life and the 33 miners recovering theirs."
He went to the mine despite advice he stay away, and said: "Many people thought the rescue was impossible and advised me not to get involved, to keep my distance. I decided to take full responsibility without any political consideration... We made a commitment to look for the miners as if they were our sons."
Mr Pinera, elected as president earlier this year, captured the world's attention this week as he stood in a pit helmet at the top of the rescue shaft, ready to greet each miner with a hug and a beaming smile as they emerged.
The Harvard-educated businessman-turned-politician told The Times he hoped Chile's international standing had been boosted by the rescue effort and that British entrepreneurs would now invest more in the country.
"Chile will now be remembered and recognised not for Pinochet but as an example of unity, leadership, courage, faith and success," he added, saying he believed God's help was "absolutely essential" in the successful rescue.