The monarch and her husband Prince Philip were to be greeted on the south lawn of White House with a 21-gun salute and national anthems of the two countries.
WASHINGTON: The White House was busily primping for the most lavish state reception of Texas-raised US President George W Bush's term with a no-holds barred
reception to welcome Britain's Queen Elizabeth II.
The monarch and her husband Prince Philip were to be greeted on the south lawn of the White House on Monday with a 21-gun salute and the national anthems of the two countries.
As the White House polished its best china and crystal tableware, 7,000 guests including diplomats, members of the US Congress and cabinet and other officials chose their grandest outfits in which to attend the ceremony.
Only the most formal dress code of white-tie and tails would do for the five-course state dinner in the queen's honor hosted by the president and First Lady Laura Bush today
evening.
"It will be closely watched by the social elite for its collision of cultures -- Texas swagger meets British prim," the New York Times predicted.
Bush has hosted eight official visits during his six years as president -- including by leaders from Poland, Kenya, Japan and China -- but it is the first time he has applied the white-tie treatment.
"The United States has no closer ally and friend than Great Britain," the White House said in a statement.
Arrangements for the dinner were being handled by the office of Laura Bush, who was said to be behind the idea to decree such formal attire, US media reported.
Among the 134 guests will be Vice-President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and General Peter Pace, chairman of the US military joint chiefs of staff, the White House said.
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