May 8, 2007

Bush Gaffe Rewrites Royal History



US President George W Bush, no known for his world knowledge, almost placed Queen Elizabeth ll in the 18 the century as he welcomed her to the White House yesterday for the State visit.


Both Mr Bush and the Queen addressed the crowd as the royal couple approached the end of a six-day US visit that included ceremonies marking the 400th anniversary of the British settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, and the Kentucky Derby.


Mr Bush noted the Queen's long history of dealing with successive American governments, just barely stopping himself before dating her to 1776, the year the 13 British colonies declared their independence from Britain.


Elizabeth has occupied the British throne for 55 years and is 81.


"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 10 US presidents. You've helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 ... in 1976," Mr Bush said.


"Wrong year," muttered the Queen.


Mr Bush looked at the Queen sheepishly. She peered back at him from beneath her black and white hat.


"She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child," Mr Bush said as the crowd burst into laughter.

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