President Bush takes tea at Windsor Castle
President Bush and his wife, Laura, have arrived at Windsor Castle for afternoon tea with the Queen.
Marine 1, the Presidential helicopter, lands at Windsor Castle
The visit is the final leg of the European tour to mark the ending of George Bush’s term as President of the United States.
Tonight they will dine with Prime Minister Gordon Brown at 10 Downing Street in London.
President Bush and First Lady greeted at Windsor Castle
The Presidential couple will spend a day and a half in Britain, mainly saying their goodbyes but also fitting in some business meetings too, especially with Brown.
I probably shouldn’t ask, but I’m curious….
As American, I really do wonder what whose abroad think of Dubya.
By Anne on June 15th, 2008 at 5:03 pm
Anne, I can’t speak for everyone here up North but I think it’s fair to say he’s not too popular with my fellow Canadians.
My guess is that protocol requires him to make some sort of farewell tour, but I suspect many would have preferred that he stayed home, particularly all those poor travellers at Heathrow.
One does wonder what the Queen really thinks of him, having met so many Presidents over the years …
By alsgal on June 15th, 2008 at 7:56 pm
Except for President Reagan, President George W. Bush is the only President and First Lady whom the Queen has entertained at Windsor. That ought to tell you something.
By Gigi on June 15th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
Let’s not forget President and Mrs. Bush were the guests of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at Buckingham Palace during the Bush’s State Visit to Great Britain in Novenber 2003. Tea at Windsor will mark the third visit between the Queen and President Bush during President Bush’s seven and half years in office. I don’t think that would have occurred if the Queen and President Bush were not on friendly terms.
I also think it’s curious that all of Queen Elizabeth’s State Visits to the United States were during Republican administrations: President Eisenhower in 1957; President Ford in 1976; President Reagan in 1983; George H.W. Bush in 1991 and George W. Bush in 2007. Food for thought?
By Arthur on June 15th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
I’m a little slow Gigi, is that good or bad? If HM wanted to entertain me in the horse barn I’d be up for it.
By dally on June 15th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Anne, I think most people I know are just ‘over’ him at this stage, at one point he invoked a lot of emotion - mostly bad - but now people are more interested in who is going to be the one chosen to clean up the mess.
By Ash on June 15th, 2008 at 10:01 pm
Arthur, the Queen as Head of State always meets with visiting Heads of States, I don’t think it has anything to do with personal friendships, just part of the job.
Also wouldn’t her official state visits to other countries be arranged with parliament and not because of her own political preferences, and I have to say I personally refuse to believe that The Queen is a supporter of the Republican Party.
By Ash on June 15th, 2008 at 10:12 pm
I was compelled to write in, although Politics is always such a touchy subject. I am a proud American, and a Proud Supporter of the Republican Party. Although our current President isn’t perfect, and he has made many mistakes, and our economy is in the crapper at best; I choose to continue to respect and support him, just as I did President Clinton after his imperfections, and his mistakes.
By Madelaine on June 16th, 2008 at 2:21 am
I also am a proud American and a proud supporter of the Republican Party and I respect, honor and support President George W. Bush. He is a very good man and has done his best in his Presidency. Much of the criticism is partisan skewering by the Democratic -controlled liberal media in America. It is important to consider the source of the information when assessing it’s truth.
By Gigi on June 16th, 2008 at 3:49 am
Gigi
Almost 99% of the time I agree with you but when it comes to President Bush I have to differ. The main fault I have with him is the war that we are currently embroilled in and the thousands of men and women from our country which have died seemingly needlessly. We have a war which has not achieved anything at all ethe country which we invaded is not stabile and worst still the reason that we originally went into the country i.e weapons of mass destruction were never found. I have many many friends and family currently away fighting this “needless war” and I pray that they all come back saftely. I want this war over as do many thousands of americans and I hope after Vietnam and Iraq we the presidents to come learn the lessons of the predecessors and never end up in this situation again where there are so many young americans coming back in body bags that they have had to find ways to cover that fact up. Sorry if I am going on but it is a topic that I feel very strongly about given the amount of people that I know that are out there and I cannot support a president that has done this to his own country and still is trying to find a way to defend it.
By Jackie Mccoy on June 16th, 2008 at 4:16 am
I understand what you say, Jackie, but I also have four cousins fighting in Iraq and sons of friends who are fighting there–all very precious to me. The liberals would have you believe that the war was unnecessary and was started for the wrong reasons but anyone who understand the balance of power, the importance of the Middle East, and the continuing dangers of international terrorism know that the war was for a just cause. America belongs to those who are prepared to defend her. My family has sacrificed to defend America in wars through military service as far back as the Revolutionary War. As for the stabliziation of Iraq, anyone who has been there knows that our presence there has made and is continuing to make a tremendous difference. The President did not make the Twin Towers fall, nor did he cause the deaths of the 3,000 innocent people in the WTC. The War on Terror is an appropriate response and it is a proportionate response.
By Gigi on June 16th, 2008 at 5:24 am
Arthur, there haven’t been that many Democratic administrations during the Queen’s Reign.
Clinton had two terms, Carter one, Johnson one, Kennedy three years. In a 56 year Reign, that’s 19 years total, only one getting a second term, when her visits tend to occur.
Also, maybe Democratic Presidents just don’t invite her.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 10:53 am
First of all - sorry for my typos earlier.
Secondly, thanks to all of you for your candid responses.
Thirdly, I didn’t mean to spark angry comments. I was just curious to get an idea of what some people in other countries thought. I guess I’ll continue to keep my political questions to myself
I apologize.
Anne
By Anne on June 16th, 2008 at 10:54 am
That’s all right, Anne. We all have political views if we’re not brain dead.
The main thing is to keep it civilized.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 10:56 am
Thank you John.
By Anne on June 16th, 2008 at 10:59 am
John, has it been formally announced if Kate will be attending today? I was just watchng Sky news and they said that William will be watched today by his girlfriend, Kate Middleton and his brother Prince Harry.
By Ash on June 16th, 2008 at 11:53 am
I believe that, Ash, but the BBC hasn’t mentioned it yet … just like the Wings ceremony.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 12:15 pm
Why didn’t Bush just stay home!!!! I don’t remember any other President making a farewell tour. Gigi and all I hate to say this but I am an extremely proud Democrat but I adored Regan. That said, Dubya and Cheany being oil men used 911 as an excuse to get into Iraq for the oil and to line their pockets. We had no business there but in Afghanistan to hunt Bin laden who our government has now lost track of who masterminded this. I will be popping the champagne corks on Jan 20 when Bully Bush leaves office.
By Trudie on June 16th, 2008 at 1:36 pm
Guys Garter ceremony is on live on Sky News.
By Claudius on June 16th, 2008 at 2:02 pm
Why wouldn’t HM be a Republican supporter? If wealth is correlated with having rightward politics, then she’s probably as conservative as they come. …Along with all the Blair-haters on here, no?
By ClassyCanuck on June 16th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
The BBC is saying Kate and Harry were William’s guests at the Garter service and lunch.
That really establishes Kate’s credentials as a Royal in the ante-room. Why would she need to host a table in the Ascot hospitality tent?
Don’t you all feel we Royalists are being sent lots of signals right now?
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 3:04 pm
Couldn’t agree more John, by having Kate there they are sending a very clear message. A very, very good message.
By Ash on June 16th, 2008 at 3:17 pm
John,
Some of us are reading those signals loud and clear! The wings ceremony, the fact that KM felt comfortable enough to go to the Peter/Autumn nuptials without William, and now this.
Any speculation that HM does not approve of the match would be silly at this point — Kate is in the Firm, and it is good to be Kate.
Perhaps a November/December announcement followed by a May/June/July wedding — 2009, of course!
By alsgal on June 16th, 2008 at 3:19 pm
The Mail Online has a few pictures of Kate and one of Prince Harry and William.
By kat on June 16th, 2008 at 3:32 pm
Kat could you post a link to it I can’t seem to find the article with picture of Kate?
By Jackie Mccoy on June 16th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
I hope that I did this right:
http://tinyurl.com/4qgs9y
By Anne on June 16th, 2008 at 3:58 pm
Thanks, Anne, I was just about to post the same.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
I can’t stop smiling because Catherine looked so beautiful and I’m very proud of William.
By Claudius on June 16th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
I have to say that this is quite exciting! I really hope that they make an announcement soon! I can remember having my parents wake me up early as a little girl so that I could watch his parents get married. My husband thinks I’m a nut, but I am really getting excited now!
By Anne on June 16th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
Thanks Anne! Kate looked beautiful!! I agree John that the signs are good! So maybe a January or February announcement!
By Jackie Mccoy on June 16th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
John, I agree that these signals are clear and extremely delightful!!
Catherine Middleton is being shown to be accepted by the Royal Family as the choice of Prince William and I have no doubt at all that an engagement will be announced when it suits the schedule of the young couple and the Royal Family!! All systems are GO!! Now all we have to do is be patient, which is not my strong suit, but neverthless, we must. 
As for the Queen being a Republican or a Democrat, I doubt this very much. The Queen is above politics and judges people on their own merits, not political affiliations. The very last factor she would consider was the wealth of the individual. Anyone who knows anything about the Queen knows that she is a very kind and considerate person who considers it a vital part of her role as sovereign to indeed be Queen to all her people, high and low. In this sterling quality, as in many others she possesses, she reminds me strongly of her wonderful Great Great Grandfather, Albert, the Prince Consort.
By Gigi on June 16th, 2008 at 4:07 pm
Excellent pictures! PH always makes me laugh. Congrats to PW!
By dally on June 16th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Getty has more pictures, and the Telegraph online has video of the procession.
Do the Royal Ascot races start today? Any chance that Prince William, Catherine, and Prince Harry will be at the royal enclosure today?
By Evelyn on June 16th, 2008 at 4:16 pm
Thanks for the link, Anne! Catherine looks so lovely and the picture of Prince Harry is hilarious! I love the handsome photo of Prince William in his Garter Regalia, too. I am so happy that everything is going so well!
My goodness, Catherine looks splendid in black and white. Actually, she looks marvelous no matter what she wears. I can barely wait to see her adorned as a bride at her and Prince William’s wedding!! Oh, all right, I am getting giddy again. I will go have some tea, iced tea since it is as hot as toppit here.
By Gigi on June 16th, 2008 at 4:17 pm
Gigi, you are hilarious. Iced tea, minus the Long Island ingredients, sounds fine.
Oh. all right then, bring in the hooch.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Evelyn, Royal Ascot begins tomorrow, Tuesday. The BBC coverage of all the races starts at 12.45 GMT (1.45 BST). I don’t know if it will be broadcast in the States.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
John do you think we will have to wait till the end of this year/beginning of next to get an announcement? That’s a long time for the press to do more speculating and cause a lot of damage.
By Ash on June 16th, 2008 at 4:32 pm
Ash, this couple have minds of their own. I’m not getting any steerage right now, but August would seem to be the next window. We must wait and be more patient than Gigi.
By John on June 16th, 2008 at 4:45 pm
Kate certainly looks like a Royal lady, right down to the hat!
By Arthur on June 16th, 2008 at 5:22 pm
She does, indeed, Arthur! She looks splendid and very Royal! My dear John, if we have to wait much longer than August for the announcement, I shall, as you suggest, be forced…yes…forced to imbibe a far stronger concoction than iced tea!
Since I am already somewhat giddy (our dear Trudie just rolled her eyes when she read my ’somewhat giddy’) regarding the Royal Family when stone cold sober, one can only imagine the appalling purple prose I shall post if I begin to imbibe an alcoholic beverage. For all our sakes, let us hope and pray that the Royal Family take pity on me and agree to announce the engagement no later than August. If they do not, I fear that poor John will go totally mad from having to stay alert at all hours to edit my increasingly fulsome remarks, resulting in a permanently damaged central nervous system for our fearless leader. 
By Gigi on June 16th, 2008 at 11:00 pm
Ok Gigi We can celebrate together and totally drive John Mad!!!
By Trudie on June 17th, 2008 at 12:11 am
After nearly three years of running Royal Anecdotes might I not be a little mad already?
By John on June 17th, 2008 at 8:05 am
My dear John, if we have pushed you over the edge already, we apologize profusely! Someone in the UK who lives in the vicinity please take John some Balmoral Dundee cake and a pot of tea to revive him. It might be best to take an ammonia ampule along as well.
By Gigi on June 17th, 2008 at 2:30 pm