Bush had queen in stitches - Now, he's Prez on visit

New York Daily News ^ | 11/17/03 | ELLEN TUMPOSKY

[kattracks]

President Bush meets Palace Protocol:

• Don’t touch the queen or kiss her on the cheek, as you did with Queen Sofia of Spain a couple of years ago. Only handshakes are permitted.
  
• Don’t bow. Heads of state do not bow to the queen, and Americans do not bow, period. Laura need not curtsy unless she wants to do so.

LONDON - The first time George W. Bush met Queen Elizabeth, he told her his cowboy boots were embroidered with "God save the queen."

Bush - who was attending a 1991 state dinner for the queen and her husband, Prince Philip, when his father was President - then added that he was the black sheep of his family.

"Who's yours?" he asked her.

"None of your business," she replied with a smile.

That royal faux pas, though, is water under the Tower Bridge. When the President and First Lady Laura Bush arrive in London tomorrow, they will stay at the one place in Britain where they can be sure of a cordial welcome: Buckingham Palace, the queen's London home.

"Buckingham Palace has got a tremendous mystique to it. And so Laura and I are really looking forward to coming," Bush told BBC-TV yesterday.

Bush is the first U.S. President to come to Britain on a state visit - meaning he was invited by the monarch, not the government.

The Bushes will be greeted by Prince Charles when they arrive tomorrow night and then will officially be welcomed by the queen amid much pageantry in the palace forecourt on Wednesday morning.

The President will be the guest of honor at a white-tie banquet Wednesday evening. Bush said he had to rent his tail coat for the occasion.

The state dinner is a glittering event that will follow a rigid protocol. The 160 guests will include about 30 royal relatives.

Invitees are almost certain to include Prime Minister Tony Blair and his wife, Cherie; the archbishop of Canterbury; captains of industry, and a sprinkling of knights and dames from the world of the arts.

Originally published on November 17, 2003

[onyx]

Bush is the first U.S. President to come to Britain on a state visit - meaning he was invited by the monarch, not the government.

Is it me, or do you find the tone of the article a bit condescending as well? I don't think POTUS needs lessons in protocol from the likes of this self-appointed matron.

[DeuceTraveler]

She's a great example to Muslim monarchs. Let your people rule, take some revenue from the treasury in exchange for giving up your power non-violently, help the economy by becoming a tourist attraction, wave at said tourists and just smile.

[droberts]

Actually the Royals would be wealthier if they kept the revenue from their own properties (which are extensive) and dropped off the civil list.

[The Duke]

She's a great example to Muslim monarchs. Let your people rule, take some revenue from the treasury in exchange for giving up your power non-violently, help the economy by becoming a tourist attraction, wave at said tourists and just smile.

If this were excactly true then tell me - why is is that the most frequent daily visitor to Buckingham Palace these past few years has been Tony Blair?

[Gatún(CraigIsaMangoTreeLawyer)]

More than just a tad condescending indeed! It was pretty nasty as a matter of fact.

[ckilmer]

the queen is a sensible woman.

after 9/11 the queen made a number gestures which showed her support for the USA.

she continues to do this in the face tremendous opposition.

she is also putting the english high caste on notice that support for the US is part of their nobliesse oblige...if they care about such things to the extent of getting invited to the right parties.

[onyx]

More than just a tad condescending indeed! It was pretty nasty as a matter of fact.

Thank you. "Nasty" works me for me! :)

[pageonetoo]

"Is it me, or do you find the tone of the article a bit condescending as well? I don't think POTUS needs lessons in protocol from the likes of this self-appointed matron."

Maybe I missed something in what was said, but there was nothing I found offensive in this article. On the contrary, it noted that this was a FIRST. No other Prez has been invited personnally by the Monarch. She is supportive, and encouraging to him. She obviously considers W as a positive influence on the world scene!!!!!!!!

You show little respect for history, pomp, and circumstance, and demean W, and Laura Bush!

The best part of the article was the note that W had to rent some tails!
The "protocol" notes, are not from her, but from some BEAUROCRAT. We have them here, as well!

[Guillermo]

Some FReepers are hyper-sensitive.

Like the other thread on Palace security. Go read it, then be embarassed about the behavior on this board.

[pageonetoo]

Nothing is embarassing on this board. It is a forum, for free speech.
But, I am appalled at the ignorance quite often shown!

[Ann Archy]

Bush is the first U.S. President to come to Britain on a state visit - meaning he was invited by the monarch, not the government.

That is SHOCKING!!! The FIRST.....guess she doesn't find him so stupid.

[headsonpikes]

God save the Queen!

(posting as loyal Canuck) ;^)

[John123]

Bush is the first U.S. President to come to Britain on a state visit - meaning he was invited by the monarch, not the government.

And I thought the Europeans loved Billary because they were sophisticated and intelligent.

[Lazamataz]

Like the other thread on Palace security. Go read it, then be embarassed about the behavior on this board.

If Bush is not protected by tanks and battleships, we should nuke England!!!!

[Guillermo]

Yeah, those ungrateful ingrates.

They'd be speaking German if it wasn't for us.

[Lazamataz]

Yeah, those ungrateful ingrates. They'd be speaking German if it wasn't for us.

Well, they're starting to speak Farsi now.

[cajungirl]

Um,,the Windsors are German...Saxe-Coburg-Hatha or some such name, they changed the name to Windsor to appear British. I love the Brits even tho they care supercilious and snooty, they are always there when we need them. I will always love them. And BTW I am reading John Adams bio and the press at the time of the revolution and afterwards was worse than they are now, amazingly hateful. The Federalists and Republicans were almost as bad as the Dems and Pubs now.

[Guillermo]

Well, we should bomb them all, with nukes.