Bush’s Royal Blunder

President Bush managed to commit one of the biggest possible no-nos, taken straight out of the Book of Things Never to Say to Women, when lauding Britain’s visiting Queen Elizabeth II (she’s the one wearing the hat) at the White House on Monday:  He insinuated that the queen is older than her actual age.

The Examiner:

After pointing out Queen Elizabeth II had dined with 10 U.S. presidents, Bush said she helped America celebrate its 200th birthday in “177 ... 1976,” which drew laughter from the crowd of 7,000 invited guests.

The queen apparently was not among those who were amused.

“She shot me a look only a mother could give a child,” Bush said, after glancing at the monarch.

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AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite

Oops-a-daisy:  Judging by these before-and-after shots of Bush’s gaffe, a sudden chill might have hung in the air during an otherwise pleasant spring day on the White House’s South Lawn.