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May 2007
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For Immediate Release
Office of the First Lady
May 4, 2007
Fact Sheet: The State Visit in Honor of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh
President George W. Bush and Mrs. Laura Bush are honored to host Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh on Monday, May 7, 2007.
The United States has no closer ally and friend than Great Britain. Our nations share an exceptionally close relationship based on deep historical and cultural ties, a common language, shared values and interests, and a commitment to defend freedom around the world.
This visit by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, is an occasion to celebrate these enduring bonds.
President Bush and the First Lady visited England in November 2003 and welcome the opportunity to return that hospitality, which, as the Queen noted at that time, has been extended to seven of the President's predecessors.
The Arrival Ceremony
The Arrival Ceremony for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh, will take place on May 7, 2007 on the South Lawn of the White House.
Approximately 7,000 guests will attend the Arrival Ceremony, including the American and British delegations, British Embassy staff, State Dinner guests, Members of Congress, Cabinet Members, White House staff and their guests, State Department staff, and students.
The White House arrival ceremony includes the following:
- Arrival of the motorcade carrying Her Majesty and His Royal Highness
- A greeting of Her Majesty and His Royal Highness by the President and Mrs. Bush on the south side of the driveway outside the Diplomatic Room entrance
- Her Majesty and His Royal Highness greet the United States Welcoming Committee
- The President and Her Majesty proceed to the reviewing platform
- The ceremony begins with the National Anthem of Great Britain (simultaneous 21 gun salute) and then the National Anthem of the United States
- The President and the Queen review the troops on the lawn
- President Bush and Her Majesty observe the musical troop in review performed by the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps
- President Bush and Her Majesty make remarks
- The President and Her Majesty face the Troops and the Commander of the Troops indicates that the ceremony has concluded
- President Bush, Mrs. Bush, Her Majesty, and His Royal Highness proceed to the Blue Room Balcony for a photo opportunity
Guests of the State Dinner
The dinner will take place in the State Dining Room on the State Floor of the White House, following a reception in the East Room on the State Floor. One hundred thirty-four guests will be seated in the State Dining Room. A diverse representation of guests from across the country will attend the State Dinner. An American and a British delegation will represent their respective countries at the State Dinner. The Vice President and Mrs. Cheney, Secretary Rice, Secretary and Mrs. Gates, and General and Mrs. Pace are among the American delegation.
A member of the Bush Administration will serve as the table host at each of the thirteen tables. Members of the British delegation will be seated throughout the State Dining Room. Traditionally, couples are seated at different tables.
Attire for the State Dinner
In honor of the Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh the attire for the State Dinner is white tie. This is the first white tie event that the President and Mrs. Bush have hosted.
Other previous White House white tie events include:
- Clinton Administration
- June 1994, Japan State Dinner
- December 1999, New Year's Eve
- February 2000, Spain State Dinner
- Reagan Administration
- 1981 Inaugural Balls
Preparation for the Dinner
Mrs. Bush planned the dinner menu with her Social Secretary Amy Zantzinger and Executive Chef Cristeta "Cris" Comerford to prepare the dinner menu. Chef Comerford has worked in the White House kitchen since 1995 and was named Executive Chef in August, 2005.
Mrs. Bush also coordinated with Social Secretary Amy Zantzinger and Bill Yosses, the White House Executive Pastry Chef responsible for creating the dessert. Chef Yosses was named Executive Pastry Chef in January 2007.
The menu will include five courses: Appetizer/Soup, Fish, Meat, Salad and Dessert.
The Room Setting
The table settings will be appropriately appointed with historically significant pieces, including:
- Cream Damask tablecloths with beige strié to cover the thirteen tables.
- Each table will be adorned with the Clinton China, which is ivory with a gold rim, and features a vignette of the White House; the Vermeil Flatware; the President's House crystal pattern; and alternating candelabras and containers from the Vermeil collection.
- Pieces from the “Vermeil” (French term for gilded silver) collection are 18th and 19th century English
- The “Vermeil” collection has been used throughout the White House for almost fifty years and was received in 1957 as a bequest from Mrs. Margaret Thompson Biddle, heiress to a Montana mining fortune.
White House Coordination with the Office of Protocol
As with every State visit, the White House coordinates with the Office of Protocol, which resides at the Department of State. Ray Martinez serves as the Acting Chief of Protocol of the United States. There is always tight coordination between the Office of Protocol and White House entities, including the First Lady's Office, the White House Military Office, and the National Security Council. The Office of Protocol also ensures specific information is provided in preparation for State visits hosted by the President and Mrs. Bush, such as the proper way to address foreign dignitaries and visitors, dietary restrictions, and overall logistical movements.
Official Visits Hosted by President and Mrs. Bush
The President and Mrs. Bush have hosted eight Official visits during the Administration. An official visits includes a visit from a Head of Government or a Prime Minister with a formal White House Arrival Ceremony. Previous visits hosted by the President and Mrs. Bush are:
- Mexico – September 5, 2001
- Republic of Poland – July 17, 2002
- Republic of Philippines – May 19, 2003
- Republic of Kenya – October 6, 2003
- People's Republic of China – December 9, 2003
- Republic of India – July 18, 2005
- Australia – May 16, 2006
- Japan – June 29, 2006
State Dinners Hosted by President and Mrs. Bush
The State Dinner for Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh is the fifth of the Bush Administration. Four of the eight official visits also included State Dinners:
- Mexico State Dinner – September 5, 2001
- Republic of Poland State Dinner – July 17, 2002
- Republic of Philippines State Dinner – May 19, 2003
- Republic of Kenya State Dinner – October 6, 2003
The Schedule of the Her Majesty's Visit to America
- Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will visit the United States from May 3 – 8, 2007. The Queen and Duke will visit Virginia (Richmond, Williamsburg and Jamestown) on May 3 – 4, 2007, to mark the 400th Anniversary of the Jamestown settlement. Separately in Virginia, the Duke will visit Norfolk.
- On May 5, 2007, Her Majesty and His Royal Highness will visit Kentucky to attend the 133rd running of the Kentucky Derby. The royal couple will then visit Washington, D.C. on May 7 and 8, 2007, where they will be hosted by President and Mrs. Bush, including at a State Dinner at the White House.
- Her Majesty and Mrs. Bush will visit the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. on May 8, 2007, as well.
- The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh will then host a Return Dinner for the President and Mrs. Bush at the Embassy of Britain on May 8, 2007.
Previous Visits to United States
This is Her Majesty's first visit to the United States in 16 years. Previous visits include the following:
- President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush, State Dinner, on May 14, 1991
- President and Mrs. Reagan, California, March, 1983
- President and Mrs. Ford, State Dinner, July, 1976
- President and Mrs. Eisenhower, State Dinner, October, 1957
For this visit, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Prince Philip Duke of Edinburgh will stay at the President's guest house, the Blair House.
In addition to the 2003 visit to England, the President and Mrs. Bush met Her Majesty and His Royal Highness in 1991, during the White House State Dinner hosted by the then President George H. W. Bush and Mrs. Barbara Bush.
Mrs. Bush's Chief of Staff
Anita McBride serves as Assistant to President George W. Bush and Chief of Staff to First Lady Laura Bush. As Chief of Staff, she oversees the First Lady's policy, press, correspondence, scheduling and advance, speechwriting, and social offices. Her White House service spans two decades and three administrations (George H.W. Bush and Ronald Reagan).
The Social Secretary
The Social Secretary is Amy Zantzinger. Mrs. Zantzinger is Special Assistant to the President and White House Social Secretary. She was named to this position in January 2007 and most recently owned an exclusive national interior design firm with design services for both residential and commercial clients throughout the United States. Previously, Zantzinger worked with then President George H. W. Bush in the White House as well as for the Bush family for both of George H. W. Bush's campaigns.
The Chief Usher
Admiral Steve Rochon is the eighth Chief Usher of the White House. With 36 years in public service, Admiral Rochon has an extensive background in personnel management, strategic planning, and effective interagency coordination. The Chief Usher is responsible for activities that occur in the Executive Residence and on the grounds, including the Arrival Ceremony and the set up of stages and continues through the evening for the Dinner.
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