Posted on 05/08/2007 5:52:54 AM PDT by COUNTrecount
When you've just made it sound like the Queen is more than 200 years old, there may be a few ways of recovering from the gaffe.
But turning to her and giving her a sly wink is probably not included in any book of royal etiquette.
Is he winking at One? The President turns to the Queen and winks after his slip-up
The Queen received the wink with a frosty glare
That's what happened yesterday after George Bush mangled his greeting to the Queen on her state visit to the U.S.
Stumbling over his words, he came perilously close to suggesting that the monarch had toured the States in 1776.
And although the President's following wink was initially rewarded with a regal glare, the Queen did at least seem to see the funny side of the blunder.
After the blunder the President paused and turned to the Queen to acknowledge his gaffe, joking that she "gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
Ripples of laughter echoed around those gathered at the event and the President laughed off the mistake and continued his speech.
The monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh flew into the American capital for a two-day stay - the finale of their East Coast trip the other side of the Atlantic.
They were officially welcomed by Mr Bush and his wife Laura on the lawn of the White House in front of 7,000 guests, from members of Congress to Oval Office staff.
The Queen will deliver a keynote speech before heading to a garden party at the British ambassador's residence with Hollywood A-listers expected to be among the 750 guests.
In the evening, Mr Bush will don his white tie and tails for the state dinner as he and the First Lady pull out all the stops to entertain the royals.
It is the first white-tie affair of the Bush administration.
But The New York Times has been pondering: "How does George W Bush, a towel-snapping Texan who puts his feet on the coffee table, drinks water straight from the bottle and was once caught on tape talking with food in his mouth, prepare for a state dinner with the Queen?
"With tips from an etiquette guide, of course - and a little gentle prodding from his wife."
Mr Bush is the leader who once greeted Prime Minister Tony Blair with: "Yo, Blair. How are you doing?"
The Duke of Edinburgh, The Queen, Laura and George Bush listen to speeches at the white-tie event
It is hoped that gaffe-prone President Bush will manage to host the state visit without any hiccups.
He hasn't been so successful in the past, however. He once admitted to the Queen he was the black sheep of his family and then turned to her and asked "Who's yours?"
The encounter came at the White House in 1991 when his father was in power. The Queen, wisely, did not reply.
Barbara Bush stepped in and warned the monarch: "Don't answer that."
President Bush is known for his Texan drawl and informal approach and the Queen's visit to Washington is the ultimate test of his manners and grasp of royal etiquette.
USA Today remarked today: "The Yanks will endeavour to impress the Brits, the true sultans of ceremony."
The Queen and President George Bush share a toast
The paper added: "Bush is famous for his opposition to formality and staying up late, but he is nevertheless going all out for the Queen."
White House aides have apparently described the dinner in the Queen's honour as the social event of the entire Bush presidency.
George Bush's father, George Bush Snr, branded it "the hottest ticket in town."
The Times remarked: "It will be closely watched by the social elite for its collision of cultures - Texas swagger meets British prim.
"Dinner attire is white tie and tails, the first and, perhaps, only white-tie affair of the Bush administration.
"The president was said to be none too keen on that, but bowed to a higher power, his wife."
Mr Bush apparently likes to be in bed by 10pm, but the entertainment will stretch well into the evening.
The Bushes have hosted four other state dinners - for Mexico, Poland, the Philippines and Kenya - but never opted for the white-tie dress code before.
The Queen is ushered to a waiting car after arriving in Washington today
The star entertainment is being kept under wraps. During the Reagan years, Frank Sinatra sang for the Queen in 1983 on her trip to California.
The Queen danced with President Ford in 1976, but it is not known whether she will take to the floor with Mr Bush.
Vice President Dick Cheney, secretary of state Condoleezza Rice, defence secretary Robert Gates and General Peter Pace, chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, will be among the select 134 guests.
Mrs Bush will be wearing an Oscar da La Renta gown and her staff have co-ordinated with the Queen's dresser to make sure their outfits do not clash, the Washington Post reports.
Mrs Bush knows the importance of pre-planning her wardrobe. Last year, three women showed up at a reception she was at in the same red de la Renta dress she was wearing, forcing her to rush off to change.
At the banquet, Mr Bush will sit next to the Queen at Table 12, while Mrs Bush will join Philip at Table 11.
The monarch's dislike of spicy foods has been taken into consideration for the menu, personally selected by Mrs Bush.
The royal visit to DC is likely to be something of a distraction amid controversy over Mr Bush's veto of Congress's war funding bill which set a timetable for the withdrawal of US troops from the Gulf.
Washington has also been dealing with the fallout of the "DC Madam" sex scandal which brought the resignation of a top US State Department official who confirmed he had been a client of a woman accused of running a high-class prostitution ring.
The Queen's last visit to the White House was in 1991 in the wake of the first Gulf War when George Bush Snr was in power.
Whether the Queen will mention Iraq in her speech remains to be seen.
The White House lawn was the site of "Podiumgate" 16 years ago.
As the Queen gave an address all that could be seen of her above the podium and microphones was her hat.
Someone forgot to put the small raised platform in place ready for the royal VIP. The next day the Queen quipped as she made another speech: "I do hope you can see me today."
Mickey Rooney kisses the Queen's hand - another faux pas
This time, she will stand on a custom-made step. The Queen praised Mr Bush Snr in 1991 for his "outstanding leadership" in the Gulf conflict and gave reassurances about post-war problems, saying: "great enterprises seldom end with a tidy and satisfactory flourish". She also presented him with the Churchill award.
It is not known if the current President Bush will get an award this time. A Buckingham Palace spokeswoman refused to comment.
Dr Who Season 2 standing outside of what was to become Torchwood to Queen Victoria. Ah Billie Piper, I almost miss her. But Freema Agyeman, whew, she’s a good replacement :)
How about after they adopt sharia law? Will they still be respected? Or will they be mourned?
Will they fight for their culture?
‘Bush is an oaf and he will be an oaf in white tie and tails too.’
Oh, that’s a little harsh. I rather like Bush. He doesn’t sell very well in my country because of his folksy style and ineptitude with the English language, but he is a decent fellow with the best interests of the US at heart, despite some rather obvious mistakes.
Stuffy old broad wearing a lampshade on her head!
I saw that and the Queen did not give him a frosty glare. This article is a big lie. The second picture is not the look she gave him. I know the press would do this to our President.
Ah yes, when will that be again? With Muslims making up only 3% of the population, they'll do that say in the next month or so?
Look at the third picture, see that leaf decoration on the Queen’s left breast? Well, in the “wink” picture it’s away from Bush while in the “glare” picture it’s towards him.
Either the Queen or Bush changed sides.
GW’s “drawl” is just the way we talk.
He grew up in far west Texas, where the accent is more western tang than that of the east Texas drawl. He didn’t go back east for school till he was past childhood. He talks like I do, and like many other people I know.
You may not like W, but he is authentic. You gonna slam Laura for her accent, too?
Our scifi channel isn’t running Dr Who right now, so I haven’t seen the replacement. I knew ol’ blondie bigteeth was out, according to rumor, but haven’t seen new episodes since the “hell/satan” episode in season 2.
Where are you watching it?
‘Will they fight for their culture?’
We already are. Our muslim population is 2.7% and growing at only 0.02% per annum. We do not have open borders. We are 92.7% white anglo saxon celtic christians. We are allowed to racially profile people. We are allowed to ban muslims attire in schools. All UK schools have religion in them and a third of schools are christian faith schools funded by the government. We are officially a christian country with a state religion and our church has lords who sit in govt and vote. Her majesty Queen Elizabeth is the head of our state church and answers to no foreign religious power.
None of the above is true of the US which is why it is in more danger than the Uk is.
Gotta love Bush, bravo!
And I say that as a Texan with my feet resting on the coffee table, drinking out of a water bottle and wiff fooh im ma mouff.
Not according to the Sex Pistols!
God save the queen her fascist regime
It made you a moron a potential h bomb !
God save the queen she aint no human being
There is no future in englands dreaming
Dont be told what you want dont be told what you need
Theres no future no future no future for you
God save the queen we mean it man (God save window leen)
We love our queen God saves (God save... human beings)
God save the queen cos tourists are money
And our figurehead is not what she seems
Oh God save history God save your mad parade
Oh lord God have mercy all crimes are paid
When theres no future how can there be sin
Were the flowers in the dustbin
Were the poison in your human machine
Were the future your future
God save the queen we mean it man
There is no future in englands dreaming
No future for you no future for me
No future no future for you
You are now and forever “subjects of the crown” not really Free after all!!
....so, then....this would be “news”....???
‘I was referring to those British who are upset with Bush’s actions during the Queen’s state visit. Those are the people who need to grow up. There are far more important things to be concerned with (as you pointed out) than to pick Bush apart over a stupid wink or a misguided phrase.’
There are no Brits upset by what you refer to, only journalists trying to make a story.
‘As for those posters who focus on a 230 y.o. war rather than today’s issues - I agree with you. They are in the same class as those who are still fighting the American Civil War. Both are over with and long gone. It’s time to move on to more immediate issues.’
Hear, hear! We were enemies for a generation and because of an incompetent King. We have been allies for 150 years either side of that emnity and so may it remain.
“Where are you watching it?”
There are ways. I can’t wait until July either. Plus, Scifi tends to edit them.
I have to say, it pisses me off when people in the US (and UK too) forget that while 200 years ago we were enemies, we are now the best allies each other could hope for (although we cannot forget our other allies, either.) I, for one, hope that relationship continues.
We have our differences, but let’s face it - it’s US against THEM in this terrorist-infested and Islamofascist-infested world, and I’d rather have the Brits as one of US than one of THEM.
The British Crown (media), still trying to push America around.
Yo Queeny, wassup?
Facts, facts....You don't know it but they're really taking over. I heard it all right here ;) What could you know actually being there? You sure about that celtic bit though? I don't know if the SNP has its way, boys in blue may take on a whole 'nother meaning...haha
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