2007年VOA标准英语-Queen Elizabeth II Wraps Up US Visit

By Margaret Besheer
Washington
08 May 2007

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II wrapped up a six-day state visit to the United States Tuesday, with a full day of events in the Washington area.  From Washington, VOA's Margaret Besheer has more on the royal visit.

Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from children during a visit to NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center 8 May 2007

Queen Elizabeth II showed remarkable¹ stamina² Tuesday, visiting NASA's Goddard space flight center, a pediatric hospital and the World War II Memorial. The monarch³ and her husband, Prince Philip, were also due to host a formal dinner at the British Embassy Tuesday night that the President and Mrs. Bush will attend.

It was a full day's schedule for anyone, much less an 81-year-old woman and her 85-year-old husband.

Monday night, the royal couple was feted at a white-tie state dinner at the White House. The queen sparkled in a white chiffon gown and an heirloom diamond tiara. Mrs. Bush was elegant in aqua blue. One hundred thirty four guests, including former First Lady Nancy Reagan, attended the most formal evening the Bush administration has hosted.

At the dinner, President Bush toasted the long and enduring alliance between the United States and the United Kingdom, saying the advance of freedom is the best hope for lasting⁴ peace in the world.

President Bush (r) toasts Queen Elizabeth II at the White House, 7 May 2007

"Based on our common values our two nations are working together for the common good," said Mr. Bush.  "Together we are supporting young democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan. Together we are confronting global challenges such as poverty and disease and terrorism. And together we are working to build a world in which more people can enjoy prosperity and security and peace."

It has been 16 years since the Queen's last state visit to the United States. In her toast, she reflected on her youth during World War II, saying how important the American-British alliance was to her nation's survival.

"Tonight I would like to recognize that steadfast⁵ commitment your country has shown not just in the last 16 years, but throughout my life, in support of a Europe whole and free," she said.

During World War II, the queen, then a teenage princess, participated in the war effort becoming a driver in the women's branch of the British Army. Tuesday afternoon, she honored American soldiers with a visit to the World War II memorial in Washington, where she placed a wreath and met veterans of the war in the Pacific.

Following the British Embassy dinner, the Queen and Prince Philip will depart on a late-night flight home.

1 remarkable   

adj.显著的，异常的，非凡的，值得注意的

参考例句：

• She has made remarkable headway in her writing skills.她在写作技巧方面有了长足进步。
• These cars are remarkable for the quietness of their engines.这些汽车因发动机没有噪音而不同凡响。

2 stamina   

n.体力；精力；耐力

参考例句：

• I lacked the stamina to run the whole length of the race.我没有跑完全程的耐力。
• Giving up smoking had a magical effect on his stamina.戒烟神奇地增强了他的体力。

3 monarch   

n.帝王，君主，最高统治者

参考例句：

• The monarch's role is purely ceremonial.君主纯粹是个礼仪职位。
• I think myself happier now than the greatest monarch upon earth.我觉得这个时候比世界上什么帝王都快乐。

4 lasting   

adj.永久的，永恒的；vbl.持续，维持

参考例句：

• The lasting war debased the value of the dollar.持久的战争使美元贬值。
• We hope for a lasting settlement of all these troubles.我们希望这些纠纷能获得永久的解决。

5 steadfast   

adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的

参考例句：

• Her steadfast belief never left her for one moment.她坚定的信仰从未动摇过。
• He succeeded in his studies by dint of steadfast application.由于坚持不懈的努力他获得了学业上的成功。