[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.

[[Page 1645]]

    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

[[Page 1646]]

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.