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WASHINGTON - The Queen flashed a bit of royal wit at President George W. Bush yesterday, getting back at him for a faux pas a day earlier that nearly placed her in the 18th century.
With a playful grin, the Queen opened a dinner toast to the President saying: "I wondered whether I should start this toast by saying, 'When I was here in 1776 ... "'
The 104 guests invited to the black-tie gathering at the home of British Ambassador David Manning erupted in laughter. Bush laughed along and the Queen smiled broadly before continuing with her text.
"Your Majesty, I can't top that one," Bush reciprocated at the beginning of his toast.
The President just barely stopped himself on Tuesday before dating the Queen to 1776.
"You've helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 - in 1976," Bush said at a White House ceremony.
Yesterday's dinner was the last formal event on the final day of a state visit for the Queen and Prince Phillip that included ceremonies marking the 400th anniversary of the British settlement in Jamestown, Virginia, and the Kentucky Derby.
- REUTERS
