State visit by George W. Bush to the United Kingdom

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State visit by George W. Bush to the United Kingdom
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush arrive with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.jpg
Date18 to 21 November 2003
Location London
Sedgefield
TypeState visit
ParticipantsPresident George W. Bush
First Lady Laura Bush

From 18 to 21 November 2003, the President of the United States, George W. Bush, made a state visit to the United Kingdom with his wife, the first lady of the United States, Laura Bush. [1] He was received by Queen Elizabeth II and stayed at Buckingham Palace. [2] The visit marked the first time a U.S. president had been invited for a state visit to the United Kingdom. Bush had previously met the Queen at Buckingham Palace. [3]

Contents

Schedule

18 November

President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush departed for the United Kingdom at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland and arrived at Heathrow Airport on 18 November 2003 and were greeted by Charles, Prince of Wales. [4] [5] The couple then travelled via helicopter to Buckingham Palace for a private reception with Queen Elizabeth II. [5] £5 million was spent by Scotland Yard to ensure security during the visit. [5]

19 November

Upon arrival at Buckingham Palace, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were officially greeted by the Queen and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and attended an official welcome ceremony with military elements by the Household Cavalry. [4] The President then inspected the Guard of Honour. [4] [6] He and the First Lady then joined the Queen and Members of the British royal family for an exhibition of items from the Royal Collection at the Queen's Gallery. [6] George W. Bush gave a speech at the Banqueting House covering topics such as 9/11 the Iraq War and stating "We will help the Iraqi people establish a peaceful and democratic country in the heart of the Middle East. And by doing so, we will defend our people from danger." [4] [6] He also met families of British 9/11 victims. [5] The couple attended the state banquet at the palace. [4] In her speech at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, the Queen spoke of the two countries' common purpose and shared values, adding "We share the confidence - and the courage - to try and make this a more prosperous, a safer, and above all a freer world." [7]

20 November

President Bush and Laura Bush toured Westminster Abbey and laid a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. [4] [8] He also met with UK soldiers that were deployed for the War in Afghanistan and the Iraq War and visited 10 Downing Street. [5] The President and Prime Minister Tony Blair also held a joint press conference at the Foreign Office. [6] He then hosted a formal dinner at Winfield House. [5]

21 November

The President and the First Lady bid the Queen farewell at Buckingham Palace and flew to Teesside Airport. [9] They were then received by Prime Minister Blair and his wife Cherie Blair at their home, Myrobella House, in Trimdon Station before joining them for lunch at Dun Cow Inn in Sedgefield. [9] The two couples then went for a tour of Sedgefield Community College. [4] The security operation put in place for the area cost £1 million. [10] [11] The presidential couple departed for the United States at Teesside Airport. [10]

Opposition

A Guardian/ICM opinion poll concluded that 43% of British people were supportive of the state visit, while with 36% wished Bush had not been invited. [5] Anti-war protests took place in London on 18 November. [6] A Stop Bush rally was organised near Euston Station and the London Mayor Ken Livingstone held a peace party attended by different groups opposed to the then-ongoing Iraq War. [5] A statue of Bush was toppled at Trafalgar Square on 20 November. [6] 500 to 1000 people protest at County Durham during Bush's visit to Sedgefield on 21 November. [9] [10] At the beginning of the visit Bush had stated that he believed in freedom of speech and expected the trip to be "fantastic". [5]

References

  1. ↑ "President Bush Wraps Up State Visit to United Kingdom". The White House. 21 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  2. ↑ "State Visit by the President of the United States of America". The Royal Family. 25 September 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  3. ↑ "Travels of President George W. Bush". U.S. Department of State Office of the Historian.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "President's Visit to the United Kingdom: Nov. 18-21, 2003". The White House. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "Bush arrives for state visit". BBC News. 18 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Bush In England". CBS News. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "State Banquet, President of the United States of America, 19 November 2003". The Royal Family. 19 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  8. ↑ "President George W. Bush and First Lady visit Abbey". Westminster Abbey. 20 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  9. 1 2 3 "Bush visit ends with pub and protests". The Guardian. 21 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  10. 1 2 3 "Bush arrives back after UK visit". BBC News. 22 November 2003. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  11. ↑ Milmo, Cahal (21 November 2003). "An 'authentic' day out: fish and chips at the Dun Cow, for a very reasonable £1m". The Independent. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
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