The Queen's arrival ceremony today at the White House felt proper and royal, despite a few bumbles. While the audience waited with miniature American and British flags in the shade of the White House lawn's trees, the Air Force band played "Ruffles and Flourishes" and "Hail to the Chief." The Queen arrived in a black limo and was bedecked in a pert white and black hat. There was a performance of both countries' anthems, a review of the troops and a short speech from both President Bush and the Queen. Many in the audience were excited by a band dressed in redcoat uniforms.
One of the best moments during the event was a mistake. After the President accidentally said the Queen attended the bicentennial celebration in 1776 instead of 1976 there was a 10-second pause while he looked at her apologetically and the crowd laughed. Then he announced: "She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child," and the crowd was all smiles—it was the only time during the event that anyone on stage made a candid remark.
While the speeches of the President and the Queen stressed the importance of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, President Bush emphasized the need to fight against terrorism to protect individualism and freedom. The Queen spoke of friendship between the two countries before stepping off the podium platform with the President and walking up the steps to wave to the crowd from the South Portico of the White House. The audience, many who got tickets from friends with connections or through a lottery, responded with their cameras held high in the air.
President Bush Marks Queen’s Arrival with Goof
The Queen's arrival ceremony today at the White House felt proper and royal, despite a few bumbles. While the audience waited with miniature American and British flags in the shade of the White House lawn's trees, the Air Force band played "Ruffles and Flourishes" and "Hail to the Chief." The Queen arrived in a black limo and was bedecked in a pert white and black hat. There was a performance of both countries' anthems, a review of the troops and a short speech from both President Bush and the Queen. Many in the audience were excited by a band dressed in redcoat uniforms.
One of the best moments during the event was a mistake. After the President accidentally said the Queen attended the bicentennial celebration in 1776 instead of 1976 there was a 10-second pause while he looked at her apologetically and the crowd laughed. Then he announced: "She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child," and the crowd was all smiles—it was the only time during the event that anyone on stage made a candid remark.
While the speeches of the President and the Queen stressed the importance of the 400th anniversary of the Jamestown settlement, President Bush emphasized the need to fight against terrorism to protect individualism and freedom. The Queen spoke of friendship between the two countries before stepping off the podium platform with the President and walking up the steps to wave to the crowd from the South Portico of the White House. The audience, many who got tickets from friends with connections or through a lottery, responded with their cameras held high in the air.
Most Popular in News & Politics
The Missing Men of Mount Pleasant
Another Mysterious Anti-Trump Statue Has Appeared on the National Mall
Muriel Bowser Defends Her BLM Plaza Decision and Looks Back on a Decade as Mayor
Yet Another Anti-Trump Statue Has Shown Up on the National Mall
Want to Search Donald Trump’s Truth Social Posts? A New Site Is Here to Help.
Washingtonian Magazine
July Issue: The "Best Of" Issue
View IssueSubscribe
Follow Us on Social
Follow Us on Social
Related
How Would a New DC Stadium Compare to the Last One?
The Culture of Lacrosse Is More Complex Than People Think
Did Television Begin in Dupont Circle?
Kings Dominion’s Wild New Coaster Takes Flight in Virginia
More from News & Politics
A DNC Official Will Run for Eleanor Holmes Norton’s Seat
AC Problem Closes Four Smithsonian Museums on the National Mall
Epstein Files Fiasco Continues to Be Weird and Entertaining, GOP Congressman Sued Over Unpaid Rent, and Lotuses Hit Peak Bloom
I Tried to Train for American Ninja Warrior
Trump Wants to Rename Soccer, the Nationals Chose a Shortstop, and Virginians Are the US French-Fry-Eating Champions
Guest List: 5 People We’d Love to Hang Out With This July
The Washington Nationals Just Fired the Manager and GM Who Led Them to a Championship. Why Has the Team Been so Bad Since?
FBI Building Now on Track to Leave DC After All, Whistleblower Leaks Texts Suggesting Justice Department Planned to Blow Off Federal Court Orders, and NPS Cuts Leave Assateague Island Without Lifeguards