Presidents and Monarchs: George W. Bush and Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II visited the United States in May of 2007. She arrived in Washington DC , and also visited Richmond, Jamestown and Williamsburg in Virginia, Lexington, Massachusetts, Louisville, Kentucky, and Greenbelt, Maryland. The visit was a memorable one for a number of reasons. It was her first state visit to the United States in sixteen years (her last visit was in May of 2001). At the time, American and British armed forces remained serving together in Iraq and Afghanistan. The visit is also remembered for a humorous gaffe that the President made in a speech, a mistake that was taken by the Queen with good humor.
During an official welcome ceremony on the White House lawn on Monday, President Bush stumbled over a line in his speech, initially saying the Queen had helped celebrate the US bicentennial in 1776, rather than 1976. Realizing his mistake, he winked broadly at the Queen before turning back to the assembled dignitaries to say: "She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
At the end of her visit, Queen Elizabeth gently teased the President for adding 200 years to her age. At a formal dinner last night at the British ambassador's residence in Washington, the Queen opened her speech with a toast to the US president. With a large grin on her face, she began by saying: "I wondered whether I should start this toast by saying, 'When I was here in 1776.'" All of the guests at the dinner erupted in laughter including the target of the joke. When he began his speech, President Bush acknowledged, "Your Majesty, I can't top that one."
The day of the speech was also the same day that devolved government returned to Northern Ireland. In her remarks, the Queen thanked President Bush for previous US efforts in helping to bring peace to the region.
The six-day east coast tour also saw the Queen attend the Kentucky Derby. She also met with survivors of the Virginia Tech gun massacre.
The Queen had previously hosted the Bushes four years earlier at a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003.
When the Queen passed away last month, President Bush released this statement:
"Laura and I were honored to have known Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a woman of great intellect, charm, and wit. Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty – and her Corgis – is among our fondest memories of the presidency. Queen Elizabeth ably led England through dark moments with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow. Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign. Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship. Laura and I join our fellow citizens in sending our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family and the British people."
During an official welcome ceremony on the White House lawn on Monday, President Bush stumbled over a line in his speech, initially saying the Queen had helped celebrate the US bicentennial in 1776, rather than 1976. Realizing his mistake, he winked broadly at the Queen before turning back to the assembled dignitaries to say: "She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
At the end of her visit, Queen Elizabeth gently teased the President for adding 200 years to her age. At a formal dinner last night at the British ambassador's residence in Washington, the Queen opened her speech with a toast to the US president. With a large grin on her face, she began by saying: "I wondered whether I should start this toast by saying, 'When I was here in 1776.'" All of the guests at the dinner erupted in laughter including the target of the joke. When he began his speech, President Bush acknowledged, "Your Majesty, I can't top that one."
The day of the speech was also the same day that devolved government returned to Northern Ireland. In her remarks, the Queen thanked President Bush for previous US efforts in helping to bring peace to the region.
The six-day east coast tour also saw the Queen attend the Kentucky Derby. She also met with survivors of the Virginia Tech gun massacre.
The Queen had previously hosted the Bushes four years earlier at a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace on Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2003.
When the Queen passed away last month, President Bush released this statement:
"Laura and I were honored to have known Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. She was a woman of great intellect, charm, and wit. Spending time at Buckingham Palace, and having tea with Her Majesty – and her Corgis – is among our fondest memories of the presidency. Queen Elizabeth ably led England through dark moments with her confidence in her people and her vision for a brighter tomorrow. Our world benefitted from her steady resolve, and we are grateful for her decades of service as sovereign. Americans in particular appreciate her strong and steadfast friendship. Laura and I join our fellow citizens in sending our heartfelt condolences to the Royal family and the British people."