Bush has a royal tea party
- 00:01:21
- ITN
Bush has a royal tea party
President George Bush has enjoyed afternoon tea with the Queen as he ended his 'farewell tour' of Europe by visiting the UK.The US leader and his wife Laura sat down with the Monarch and the Duke of Edinburgh for the informal gathering in the lavish setting of Windsor Castle.Mr Bush is spending two days in the UK renewing acquaintances and holding talks with Prime Minister Gordon Brown and former premier Tony Blair after spending last week meeting leaders in France, Germany and Italy.Afternoon tea with the Queen is in stark contrast to the serious discussions the President will hold with Mr Brown on Monday.Mr Bush has already urged the Prime Minister not to jeopardise coalition gains in Iraq by the premature withdrawal of British troops.The US leader has said there should be no "definitive timetable" for troop reductions.His comments follow a report last week that the Prime Minister could make an announcement on the final pull out of Britain's remaining 4,500 troops before the end of the year.Mr Bush and his entourage flew into Heathrow on Sunday afternoon aboard the Presidential jumbo jet Air Force One and they were ferried by helicopter to the Queen's Berkshire home.Air Vice Marshal David Walker, master of the household, was waiting to greet the US leader as a US Marine opened the door to the military aircraft and Mr Bush walked down the steps.Security was tight around the landing site in Home Park close to the Royal Palace with armed officers patrolling nearby hedgerows and trees and American secret service personnel stood just beyond the rotor blades of the helicopter.Mr Bush his wife travelled the short distance to Windsor Castle in a limousine for a private greeting with the Queen in the palace's White Drawing Room.Mr Bush is the first President to be hosted at the Royal residence since Ronald Regan was pictured riding at Windsor with the Queen in June 1982.The Monarch last met Mr Bush during her state visit to the US in March last year. During the tour Mr Bush winked at her after making one of his most famous gaffes.The Royal party were joined for tea by America's ambassador for Britain Robert Tuttle and his wife Maria.The group enjoyed traditional English afternoon fayre of tea, small sandwiches and cakes.Meanwhile, anti-war protesters have gathered in Parliament Square for their final head-to-head with President Bush.As the American leader met with Gordon Brown in Whitehall, demonstrators shouted: "George Bush: terrorist," and brandished placards emblazoned with his name, blood patches and handcuffs.Members of the Stop War Coalition, CND and the British Muslim Initiative organised the rally.Paula Mitchell, member of the Socialist Worker Party which is part of the coalition, said: "George Bush is on his way out. He as an individual is not that significant but it's what he represents. Whoever replaces him in the US is going to carry on with the same policy."They're preparing to install themselves in Iraq semi permanently. It's turning Iraq into a colony while thousands of people continue to die."The protesters included a group dressed as court judges and one as the grim reaper with a George Bush mask.Security was tight on Whitehall itself with scores of policeman and rows of police vans.Armed officers were deployed as far out as Victoria Street.
ITN | June 15, 2008
