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| Date | 18 to 21 November 2003 |
|---|---|
| Location | London Sedgefield |
| Type | State visit |
| Participants | PresidentGeorge W. Bush First LadyLaura Bush |
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|---|---|---|
Business and personal 46th Governor of Texas 43rd President of the United States Tenure Presidential campaigns   | ||
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Leader of the Opposition Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Policies Appointments First ministry and term (May 1997 – June 2001)
Second ministry and term (June 2001 – May 2005)
Third ministry and term (May 2005 – June 2007)
Post–Prime Minister | ||
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From 18 to 21 November 2003, thePresident of the United States,George W. Bush, made a state visit to theUnited Kingdom with his wife, thefirst lady of the United States,Laura Bush.[1] He was received byQueen Elizabeth II and stayed atBuckingham 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 in July 2001.[3]
President Bush and First LadyLaura Bush departed for the United Kingdom atAndrews Air Force Base in Maryland and arrived atHeathrow Airport on 18 November 2003 and were greeted byCharles, Prince of Wales.[4][5] The couple then travelled via helicopter toBuckingham Palace for a private reception withQueen Elizabeth II.[5] £5 million was spent byScotland Yard to ensure security during the visit.[5]
Upon arrival at Buckingham Palace, President Bush and First Lady Laura Bush were officially greeted by the Queen andPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh and attended an official welcome ceremony with military elements by theHousehold Cavalry.[4] The President then inspected the Guard of Honour.[4][6] He and the First Lady then joined the Queen and Members of theBritish royal family for an exhibition of items from theRoyal Collection at the Queen's Gallery.[6] George W. Bush gave a speech at theBanqueting House covering topics such as9/11 theIraq 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] Bush had been invited to address theUK Parliament but declined.[7] The presidential 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."[8]
President Bush and Laura Bush touredWestminster Abbey and laid a wreath at the grave ofthe Unknown Warrior.[4][9] He also met with UK soldiers that were deployed for theWar in Afghanistan and theIraq War and visited10 Downing Street.[5] The President and Prime MinisterTony Blair also held a joint press conference at theForeign Office.[6] He then hosted a formal dinner atWinfield House.[5]
The President and the First Lady bid the Queen farewell at Buckingham Palace and flew toTeesside Airport.[10] They were then received by Prime Minister Blair and his wifeCherie Blair at their home, Myrobella House, inTrimdon Station before joining them for lunch at Dun Cow Inn inSedgefield.[10] The two couples then went for a tour ofSedgefield Community College.[4] The security operation put in place for the area cost £1 million.[11][12] The presidential couple departed for the United States at Teesside Airport.[11]
AGuardian/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 nearEuston Station and the London MayorKen Livingstone held a peace party attended by different groups opposed to the then-ongoing Iraq War.[5] A statue of Bush was toppled atTrafalgar Square on 20 November.[6] 500 to 1000 people protest atCounty Durham during Bush's visit to Sedgefield on 21 November.[10][11] At the beginning of the visit Bush had stated that he believed in freedom of speech and expected the trip to be "fantastic".[5]
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