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After a dinner featuring New England lobster en bellevue, saddle of veal, peach ice cream bombe and three American wines, the guests endured an hour of indifferent entertainment. The headliner, at Elizabeth's request, was British-born Comedian Bob Hope, who delivered some uncharacteristically flat one-liners ("When we see a crown in America, we expect a margarine commercial"). When the orchestra struck up a waltz, Ford danced sedately with the Queen. Halfway through a number, to his surprise, he was cut in on by Vice President Nelson Rockefeller. Said he: "Best party in six presidencies."
Rocky's Pat. Next day Rocky stole another scene—this one from House Speaker Carl Albert, who was the Queen's official host at a luncheon with congressional notables. For the first part of the meal, Rockefeller monopolized Elizabeth, while Albert had to settle for a chat with British Foreign Secretary Anthony Crosland. After lunch, Rocky committed a minor breach of protocol by giving the Queen an unroyal pat on her back as she viewed the copy of the Magna Carta that was on display in the Capitol's Rotunda.
After a dinner in Ford's honor at the British Embassy that night, the Queen displayed a rather thorough knowledge of the sporting world during a reception for 1,400 guests. "How are you feeling?" she asked Boxer Muhammad Ali, who was still limping from Japanese Wrestler Antonio Inoki's bruising kicks in their recent bout. "Which leg was hurt the worst?" It was his left, and it was getting better.
Rubberneckers. For the most part, when the Queen and Philip were not occupied with formal functions, they rubbernecked, albeit in regal style. They took in a dozen historic sites in Washington. At the Lincoln Memorial, the Queen warmly greeted more than a dozen of her subjects from Commonwealth nations who were lining the steps. As she was about to leave, the horse-loving Queen caught sight of mounted police Sergeant Dennis Ayres and his bay stallion, Like a Bull. She strode through the motorcade and, delaying her departure, chatted with Ayres about the horse.
In New York, Elizabeth made a side trip to trendy Bloomingdale's, where she watched a fashion show and was given a 19th century Sioux pipe. The royal couple also visited Newport, R.I., and Boston, where they worshiped at Old North Church. Before heading for Montreal to open the Olympics—their daughter, Princess Anne, is a member of Britain's equestrian team—the royal couple toured the U.S.S. Constitution, yet another relic of an Anglo-American war. No matter. While Elizabeth's forebears lost a continent two centuries ago, she won over a nation last week with her warmth and easy grace.