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 ...
I learned this morning from Fox that the biggest no-no with the Queen is “no touching” - even to take her arm to assist her. That’s going to be hard for Pres. Bush, whose natural instinct seems to be to offer a hand (or arm) to people and who seems very comfortable with touching. I recall the photo of Pres. Bush assisting Robert Byrd a little while ago.
I presume "We" would not be amused.
What if they played the Sex Pistols' "God Save the Queen."
Yes.
I thought her eyes were going to pop out of her head when GW misspoke and said She helped us celebrate our bicentennial in “1776”.
For some reason, British Monarchs don’t like being reminded about 1776. Why is that?
>>Continental musicians wore red jackets.
>>No symbolism at all.
I guess symbolism is in the eye of the beholder.
I saw Red. But thanks for the historical factoid.
I don’t mind being 40, but I think I’d be a little stuned if anyone suggested I was around in 1776. (Although it didn’t seem to bother President Reagan, bless his heart!)
How much do you think he made her pay to sleep in the Lincoln bedroom? heheheh....
I meEean it maaaaannnn
God save the QueeEEeeeEEEnnnnn
SHEAIN'TNOHUMANBEING!!!
That would be a good thing.
Charles is the royal "Al Gore".
You hate the Brits for 1776, you must really still be p*ssed at the Japs and Germans?
I used to live at Ft McNair in downtown DC where these guys are stationed. Very cool seeing them all the time. There was also a contingent of troops decked out as infantry of the time. The armory was hilarious with M-16s next to smoothbore muskets. Felt for the guys on those hot summer days reviewing for some visiting dignitary. Those wool outfits made more than a few fall out.
‘Cuz tourists are money.
LOL. Now that’s funny. It didn’t even cross my mind she might have interpreted it that way.
If you were an Older Lady, I think you’d have immediately thought of it :-).
Well the Black Watch did burn the place to the ground in 1812.
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