Who said the special relationship was dead?

George W. Bush and Tony Blair were "shoulder to shoulder" – but with David Miliband and Hillary Clinton, it is more a case of "eye to eye", as the world can see from these pictures taken yesterday as Nato foreign ministers convened in Brussels.

The US Secretary of State told Vogue magazine last month that Miliband is "vibrant, vital, attractive and smart." She added: "Well, if you saw him it would be a big crush. He's really a good guy. And he's so young!"

Mr Miliband is 44, but looks younger, just as Mrs Clinton looks a lot younger than her age, 62. The Foreign Secretary returned the compliment by describing Mrs Clinton as "delightful". He said: "She's someone who laughs and can tease and she's got perspective as well."

They were plainly enjoying each others' company in Brussels. She looked wide eyed with amusement at something Mr Miliband said to her. A minute later, he is touching her arm, while she smiles at him. Later she has a hand on his shoulder as he touchs her arm.

Clearly one special relationship is flourishing.