Britain's Queen Elizabeth was not amused when U.S. President George Bush blundered his way through his welcoming speech on Monday. Addressing crowds in Washington D.C., the president noted how the queen had been present during the U.S.'s bicentennial celebrations in 1776, before quickly correcting himself to say 1976.
As the error was met with laughter, Bush broke with royal protocol by turning to the monarch and giving her a wink.
He then faced the crowd and said: "She just gave me a look that only a mother could give a child."
During her speech, the queen talked about the close bond shared by the two nations, and said: "We can celebrate the close and enduring associations which thrive between the U.S. and the U.K. at every level."
Though the 81-year-old royal did not mention the war in Iraq, her speech did refer to the "current preoccupations" of current times.
Later, she and husband Prince Philip hosted a garden party for celebrities and VIPs at the British embassy.
Her Majesty's first day in Washington concluded with a dinner at the White House where she was guest of honor. The queen and fellow guests feasted on a five-course banquet of spring soup, Dover soul, lamb, salad and rose blossom dessert.
The queen arrived in the U.S. last Thursday for a week-long tour - her first official state visit to the region for 16 years.
Her royal tour began in Virginia, where she paid tribute to the victims of the recent Virginia Tech massacre.
 |  |  |  |
