Posted on 05/07/2007 8:31:47 AM PDT by VxH
WASHINGTON President Bush, a leader known for his informality, welcomed Queen Elizabeth II to the White House Monday with an uncharacteristic display of high pomp.
"We did sort of have to convince him a little bit" to opt for the white-tie dinner, first Lady Laura Bush said Monday of her and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice's efforts to talk Bush into hosting the most formal dinner the White House can offer.
The British monarch and her husband, Prince Philip, are being greeted later Monday morning with a 21-gun salute and a parade by the U.S. Army's Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps attended by 7,000 guests on the White House's South Lawn.
An exclusive few will return in white tie and tails for the state dinner among 13 damask-clothed tables set with gold-trimmed ivory china and gilded silver candelabras.
"We're very excited to host Her Majesty," Mrs. Bush said Monday morning on ABC's "Good Morning America."
"We had the opportunity to be here the last time she was here for a state dinner (hosted by the first President Bush in 1991) ... and we're so thrilled to have the chance to host her and to show her the strong affection the American people have for the British," she said.
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
No beef BBQ ?
Continental musicians wore red jackets. No symbolism at all.
Queen Elizabeth II and President Bush stand at attention during the playing of the National Anthem during the official state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
Royal hat ping! (I liked the pink one better.)
Queen Elizabeth II and President Bush inspect the troops during the official state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, Monday, May 7, 2007. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)
It fills one with Hope and Glory.
I just hope she remembers that we kicked their butts.
Interesting symbolism, GW.
:-) Don’t get me started, I will start bellowing God Bless America, and God Save the Queen! ha!
Anybody know the age of the queen?
(Of course we could claim we were saying, "We relegate red coats to our noncombatants, nyah nyah nyah.")
Me too. But I love her suit!
April 21, 1926
Born April 21, 1926. 81. She’s just a few months older than my mom, who doesn’t turn 81 til later this summer.
If she lives as long as her mother, Charles might not be King till he’s 80! She may even outlive him.
Yes, the collar and cuffs that match the hat are very sharp.
Prince Philip looks like he’s about to crack up, doesn’t he?
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