WASHINGTON — With Queen Elizabeth standing at his side on the White House lawn and press outlets from all over the world hanging on his words, it was probably not the best moment for President Bush to make one of his famous gaffes.

But with impressive comic timing, the president recovered from almost suggesting that his guest was around in the 18th century and ended up ensuring that his 7,000-strong audience laughed with him, rather than at him.

Mr. Bush’s slip came during a welcoming speech as Elizabeth began the Washington stage of her American state visit.

America was a nation she “had come to know very well,” he said. “After all, you’ve dined with 10 U.S. presidents. You helped our nation celebrate its bicentennial in 17 — 1976.”

As many in the crowd burst out laughing, Mr. Bush turned and looked sheepishly at Elizabeth. Peering at him from beneath her hat, she did not appear to share the general merriment.

Turning back, Mr. Bush prompted Elizabeth to laugh as he said with a smile, “She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child.”

While Elizabeth has avoided making any reference to the conflict in Iraq — her speech yesterday talked only of her visit’s opportunity to “step back from our current preoccupations” — the war on terror featured prominently in Mr. Bush’s speech.

“Today, our two nations are defending liberty against tyranny and terror,” he said. “We’re resisting those who murder the innocent to advance a hateful ideology, whether they kill in New York or London, or Kabul or Baghdad. American and British forces are staying on the offense against the extremists and terrorists. We’re supporting young democracies. Our work has been hard. The fruits of our work have been difficult for many to see. Yet our work remains the surest path to peace, and it reflects the values cherished by Americans and by Britons, and by the vast majority of people across the broader Middle East.”

He added: “Your Majesty, I appreciate your leadership during these times of danger and decision.”

Elizabeth, noting this was her fifth visit to America, said: “It is a moment to take stock of our present friendship, rightly taking pleasure from its strengths while never taking these for granted. And it is the time to look forward, jointly renewing our commitment to a more prosperous, safer, and freer world.”

The president and his wife, Laura, were waiting on the driveway above the White House’s lawn when Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s limousine arrived. The couples briefly shook hands before the formal welcome of trumpet fanfares, a drum and pipe band in 18th century uniform, and a 21-gun salute.

As they inspected the honor guard, Elizabeth and Mr. Bush chatted amiably. Later, she attended a garden party for 700 guests at the British Embassy before returning to the White House for a white-tie dinner, the first ever given by Mr. Bush.

The president is known for his dislike of lavish events. Mrs. Bush said on ABC television that she and Secretary of State Rice “did sort of have to convince him a little bit” to host a white-tie dinner.

The first lady has closely choreographed the dinner for 134 guests, seated at 13 tables set with gold-trimmed china. She pointed out on ABC that she and her husband had been at a previous White House dinner for Elizabeth, hosted by his father in 1991. She omitted to mention that, on that occasion, her husband treated Elizabeth to another memorable gaffe.

Saying to her that he was the black sheep of his family, he asked the queen, “Who’s yours?” His mother, Barbara Bush, stepped in quickly and said, “Don’t answer that.”