White House: Add Queen Elizabeth to D-Day ceremony
WASHINGTON (CNN) - President Barack Obama believes Britain's Queen Elizabeth II should be included in the upcoming D-Day commemoration ceremonies, the White House said Monday.
"We are working with those involved to see if we can make that happen," said White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs.
The apparent decision not to invite the 83-year-old monarch has caused a diplomatic uproar in both Britain and France. The French government has continued to insist that while the queen was not explicitly invited, it is up to Britain to decide who should represent the U.K. during the ceremonies.
British Prime Minister Gordon Brown currently is slated to head the delegation.
During World War II, then-Princess Elizabeth worked as a mechanic in the Auxiliary Territorial Service - the women's branch of the British Army.
She ascended to the British throne after her father, King George VI, died in 1952.
This year's D-Day ceremonies mark the 65th anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy, France. The successful breach of Hitler's "Atlantic Wall" and subsequent liberation of western Europe hastened the defeat of Nazi Germany.
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Its a fine thing to have the Queen here for the celebration.
As far as his trip to NY, with his wife , I loved it.It shows thst he is human.
Another in a long list of gaffs by the obama regime. Pathetic as normal.
Queen Elizabeth: she was she were she is head of the English speaking world and should be invite to the ceremony in France.
She is better looking than that horse faced wife nobamaz has.
I agree with the WH. Remember Britain was blitz by the Nazi's. It is wrong, so wrong. She worked as a mechanic, even today she still works on her cars. My hats off to her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
My history teacher would love this!!!!!!! Queen Elizabeth is her favorite person in history! This is pretty awesome!!
Dizzy Lizzie's D Day Hypocracy?
If she wore a uniform, as I have seen in many picture of the young Princess, She should be there. Her country suffered terribly during the war and as far as I can determine from historical information, she was always there. There are many who are gone and cannot celebrate the 65th year of the invasion, but all that are alive should be at least a physical or spiritual part of this celebration of liberty.
I heard that the Queen asked about the birth certificate and college transcripts so BO put her on the B list.
No way dudes! Women can't be invited to cool events like this.
You should learn from us. When we dress up in our white hoods we only let the men come for the cross burnings in the woods!
You go President make it happen for the Queen. You are so wonderful. We pray for you around the clock. Don't you worry about the Republicans for they are dead and gone. You are doing a great job and we support you.
Was his recommendation included in a speech on the iPod he gave her?
I'd love to see her take part – after all, she actively supported all troops with her service at that time.
She should be first on the guest list! Whoever left her off just wasn't thinking. Good for the WH for jumping in on this.
Oh yes, leave it up to King Obama to call the shots...lets see how many monkeys come at his command.
Barack and Sarkozy were not even a glimmer in their fathers eye when D-Day occured nor did they ever serve in their countries armed services.
Not only was the queen alive when it happened she actually served her people during world war 2.
The French should be ashamed of not inviting her personally and Barack should be ashamed if he even thinks of going if the Queen is not there.
The Queen should have been at the top of the list from the moment it was compiled. As a very young woman, she was part of WWII, her family never left Buckingham Palace throughout the Blitz, she served as a mechanic and ambulance driver and was an incredible, rallying inspiration to countless men and women of her generation–in the UK and America. Whoever the 20-year olds figuring out who was "important" enough to be invited to this anniversary, clearly don't know history and apparently could care less. Sad, embarrassing, insulting. Elizabeth, as the sole survivor of her brave family, is a veteran of this greatest of wars. She deserves to be there IF she cares to come...
What an irritating story. "The apparent decision ... not to include (the Queen) has irritated ....."
Well, yeah, I should think SO, but how about telling us something on
WHAT makes that decision "apparent"?
WHO decided it?
WHEN was it decided?
Did Gordon Brown declare himself to be the attendee?
Did the US decide Gordon Brown would be the attendee?
Of COURSE the delegation should be headed by whomever Great Britain decides to send. I would think it would either be both of them, or her choice if she decides not to go. Maybe she would send her husband, with his military background, or some Brit who was prominent in service during WWII.
Hope this isn't another case of the US presuming it can take options on other countries' rights.
I am not big on the royal family but this is disgraceful. Queen Elizabeth should have been the first person invited since she was actively involved in World War II.
It was silly of France not to extend the invitation directly to the UK Queen. I imagine that in the aftermath of the current airline tragedy over Brazil, feelings will soften during national crisis and this diplomatic flap will be quietly brushed over and the Queen will be present at the Normandy ceremony.