King Charles and Queen Camilla are bracing to host Donald Trump in Windsor this week, and various moments with previous US presidents are coming back into the spotlight. One such engagement is that of Queen Elizabeth and President George W. Bush during the late monarch’s last visit to the US in 2007.
Elizabeth was known for her witty sense of humour and light-hearted jibes, and her time with the former US President was no different. Mr Bush made an error, which aged the late Queen by more than 200 years while welcoming his royal guests at the White House on May 7.
He said in his speech: “The American people are proud to welcome Your Majesty back to the United States, a nation you’ve come to know very well.
“After all, you’ve dined with ten U.S. presidents.”
“You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17—in 1976.”
The gaffe was caught not only by the crowd, who threw themselves into laughter, but also by the late monarch, who gave him a stare before the President told those gathered: “She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child.”
A few days later, the late Queen had her comeback during a formal dinner at the British ambassador’s residence in Washington.
During her formal toast, Elizabeth said with a smile: “Mr. President, I wondered whether I should start this toast saying, ‘When I was here in 1776,’ but I don’t think I will.”
The guests, including Mr Bush erupted in laughter, with the US President later saying in his speech: “Your Majesty, I can’t top that one.”
It was Elizabeth’s last time in the US. Her son, now King Charles, returned on her behalf in 2018, to attend the state funeral of Mr Bush father, former US President George H.W Bush.