President George W. Bush was representing the United States of America on a highly formal, orchestrated state visit to England. The President joined Queen Elizabeth II in a beautiful, ornate 17th-century coach hitched to 6 enormous matched white horses. The coach proceeded through the streets of London en route to Buckingham Palace, and the Queen and the President were waving to the cheering throngs.

Then suddenly the right rear horse produced a thunderous fart that reverberated through the air and rattled the doors of the coach, sending a horse-shit stench blowing through the coach. Uncomfortable, the two powerful figures try to focus their attentions elsewhere and behave as if nothing extraordinary had happened.

But the Queen realized that ignoring what had just happened would be ridiculous. She explained: "Mr. President, please accept my regrets - I'm sure you understand that there are some things that even a Queen cannot control."

George W. replied, "No need to be ashamed, your majesty... it's just gas. But I gotta admit, until you confessed, I thought it was one of the horses!"