    [Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George W. Bush (2005, Book II)]
    [November 2, 2005]
    [Pages 1644-1646]
    [From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]

    Remarks at a State Dinner Honoring Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla of the United Kingdom
    November 2, 2005

        The President. Your Royal Highness, it is a great honor for
    Laura and me to host you and Her Royal Highness
    the Duchess of Cornwall at the White House. Your visit is a reminder of
    the unique and enduring bond between the United Kingdom and the United
    States. Americans know that we have no greater friend than the United
    Kingdom. And it's my sincere hope that the United Kingdom knows it has
    no greater admirer than the United States.
        Our nations are intimately linked through deep historical and
    cultural ties, through active commercial and political bonds, and
    through shared values. Nowhere are those shared values more nobly
    expressed than in our common commitment to expanding freedom in this
    world.

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        In the first part of the 20th century, our nations stood together to
    ensure that fascism did not prevail in Europe. In the second half of the
    20th century, we worked tirelessly to defeat the totalitarian ideology
    of communism. And today, we're fighting side by side against an ideology
    of hatred and intolerance to ensure that the 21st century will be one of
    liberty and hope.
        The people of the United States draw great strength from having the
    United Kingdom as an ally. The nation that defied bombardment from the
    air in 1940 once again refused to cower when its people were bombed from
    underground this summer. Your courage and fortitude are an inspiration
    to people throughout the world.
        Just as Britain is a leader in the effort to spread freedom and
    opportunity abroad, Your Royal Highness is a leader in creating greater
    opportunity at home. Your compassion and charitable efforts such as the
    Prince's Trust continue to help more of Britain's young people and
    entrepreneurs pursue their dreams in life.
        Your Royal Highness, your generous spirit, your steadfast
    leadership, and your devotion to your people are an inspiration.
    Laura and I are honored to have you and Her Royal
    Highness as guests this evening, and I'd now like to offer a toast to
    the enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and the United
    States.
        Prince Charles. Mr. President, Mrs. Bush, ladies and gentlemen, can
    I just say what a joy it is for both my wife and myself to be with you
    here in the White House. It brings back many fond and happy memories of
    my first visit here with my sister. I think it was in 1970, when we came
    to stay at the White House for the weekend with President and Mrs.
    Nixon, at the time when the media were busy trying to marry me off to
    Tricia Nixon. [Laughter] And it's very interesting to see the same sort
    of thing happening to my eldest son. [Laughter] So it seems to be an
    entirely hereditary feature. [Laughter]
        Mr. President, Sir Winston Churchill, whose mother was, of course,
    American, and whose bust you have in a place of honor in the Oval
    Office, once said, after one of his 16 visits to the United States over
    some 66 years, ``The friendliness of the Americans to the traveler from
    Britain, their unfailing kindness, their generous hospitality are
    something to marvel at.'' Well, nothing has changed, Mr. President. We
    have both most certainly experienced the same generosity and
    friendliness since our arrival yesterday. And this has been the case on
    every previous visit I have ever made to this remarkable country.
        It is an indication, if I may say so, Mr. President, of how very
    important and special our close, warm, and enduring relationship with
    the United States of America is to all of us in the United Kingdom. Our
    two nations have much in common. We share so much history and tradition,
    language and culture, and a commitment to democracy and liberty. These
    enrich the spirit and are founded on those greatest of all gifts--
    friendship and loyalty.
        On Friday, we will meet veterans of our struggle together against
    evil and tyranny in the Second World War. The selfless service that our
    parents' generation gave, including, of course, both our fathers--and
    how wonderful it is, if I may say so, to see President Bush 41 here this
    evening--and the selfless service that we commemorate in this 60th
    anniversary year will always stand as a measure of the commitment,
    courage, and comradeship of our two great nations.
        On Thanksgiving Day in 1944, while we were Allies in arms in that
    global struggle, Sir Winston Churchill looked forward to what he called
    ``a lasting union of sympathy and good feeling and loyalty and hope
    between all the British and American peoples.'' Well, that is a vision
    all of us here share.
        And, indeed, that lasting union of sympathy has been so amply
    demonstrated in our own day when we shared with you the

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    full horror of September the 11th, 4 years ago, and more recently, when
    following the terrorist attacks in London, so many of us in the United
    Kingdom were profoundly touched by the many messages of steadfast
    support and solidarity from across the United States.
        But our visit is not focused only on the misfortunes that have
    united our nations. We were particularly pleased to have had the chance
    this afternoon to go with Mrs. Bush to the inspiring SEED School in
    Anacostia, a school that offers young people from underprivileged
    backgrounds the chance to fulfill the potential that each person has.
    And this, incidentally, is what my Prince's Trust has been seeking to do
    for very nearly 30 years in the United Kingdom, and which has led to
    over half a million young people being assisted to develop their
    individual talents and abilities.
        And, Mr. President, I am also very conscious of the extraordinary
    social progress this country has achieved. On the day Rosa Parks is laid
    to rest, there is a powerful message, I think, here about tolerance and
    inclusion that has relevance for the whole international community.
        My wife and I are deeply grateful to you, Mr. President, and Mrs.
    Bush for your generous hospitality towards us, but more so, as I am only
    too conscious of the enormous challenges and responsibilities which face
    the 43d President of the United States. And I need hardly say that so
    many people throughout the world look to the United States of America
    for a lead on the most crucial issues that face our planet and, indeed,
    the lives of our grandchildren. Truly, the burdens of the world rest on
    your shoulders.
        In conclusion may I propose a toast to you, Mr. President, to Mrs.
    Bush, and to the people of the United States of America.

     [At this point, the President and Prince Charles offered a toast.]

    Note: The President spoke at 7:55 p.m. in the State Dining Room at the
    White House.