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Clinton sends queen early birthday wishes
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent birthday wishes for the queen of England's official June birthday a week early this year, British officials say.
Clinton sent an official statement Friday to congratulate Queen Elizabeth II and honor her "life and legacy." While the queen's actual birthday is April 21, she celebrates with an official event on a Saturday in June -- the second Saturday this year, The Daily Telegraph reported.
"On this celebratory occasion, we pay tribute to the Queen's life and legacy and honor the special relationship between our two nations," Clinton said in her message to the queen.
"The young princess Elizabeth helped rally her nation in the darkest days of that war, and she has remained a beacon of integrity and resolve ever since. The United States has always been grateful for her friendship and example.
"Once again, I wish Queen Elizabeth II a very happy birthday and peace and prosperity for the people of the United Kingdom in the year to come."
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley acknowledged the error, saying, "We were a week early. As always, it is better to give a greeting a week early than a week late."
"It was obviously a genuine mistake and there was no offense taken whatsoever," a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman told the Telegraph.
WASHINGTON, (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton sent birthday wishes for the queen of England's official June birthday a week early this year, British officials say.
Clinton sent an official statement Friday to congratulate Queen Elizabeth II and honor her "life and legacy." While the queen's actual birthday is April 21, she celebrates with an official event on a Saturday in June -- the second Saturday this year, The Daily Telegraph reported.
"On this celebratory occasion, we pay tribute to the Queen's life and legacy and honor the special relationship between our two nations," Clinton said in her message to the queen.
"The young princess Elizabeth helped rally her nation in the darkest days of that war, and she has remained a beacon of integrity and resolve ever since. The United States has always been grateful for her friendship and example.
"Once again, I wish Queen Elizabeth II a very happy birthday and peace and prosperity for the people of the United Kingdom in the year to come."
U.S. State Department spokesman Philip Crowley acknowledged the error, saying, "We were a week early. As always, it is better to give a greeting a week early than a week late."
"It was obviously a genuine mistake and there was no offense taken whatsoever," a Buckingham Palace spokeswoman told the Telegraph.
