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George W. Bush has been president of the United States for six years, three months, two weeks and three days, more or less. Yet in all this time he has failed to host a single white-tie dinner at the White House - something his predecessor Bill Clinton managed on three occasions.

This state of affairs undergoes a "correction" Monday evening when a white-tied Mr. Bush welcomes Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip to the executive mansion for the duo's first visit there since 1991, when then-president George Herbert Walker Bush played host.

Occasions calling for white-tie dress are the most achingly formal of all formal events. "It infers pulling out all the stops," notes Sinclair Russell, Toronto designer-at-large and bon vivant. Which is why Washington is reportedly dizzy with anticipation over tonight's soirée, since it's well-known that Bush the younger is a barbecue kind of guy who likes to eat fast and gulpingly, with chasers of water from a handy plastic bottle.

The idea and the impetus for the white-tie dinner apparently came from first lady Laura Bush, not the president. A call to the White House press office this weekend to find out why the first lady was orchestrating one now, after years of forgoing the pleasure, prompted a scattershot reply. "Well, it's out of respect for the Queen.... It's never been done before.... We're trying something new."

White-tie dress, of course, is not new. It's been around for more than two centuries and reportedly got its start in the United Kingdom where, unsurprisingly, it continues to be a staple of state dinners there.

Still, one can understand why the president might be daunted: A man is required to wear a black cutaway tailcoat and black trousers with a braided stripe down each side.

The bow tie must be white, on a stiff-fronted shirt (white, piqué) with a detachable wing collar. A low-cut waistcoat (white, piqué) is required - but no cummerbund - along with silk stockings (black) and shiny leather shoes (black).

Then there's a whole lot of stuff about the kind of cufflinks and studs you can wear (white or silver), the number of medals allowed on your chest (four or more, but on a sash) and should you have a handkerchief in your pocket or a boutonniere in the lapel? (Both are okay.) How about a top hat? (Yes, if outdoors.) A cape? (Ditto.)

Still, Mr. Russell insists, "when you get all dolled up like that, you do feel wonderful."

By contrast, the demands on a woman are less onerous: a floor-length gown, preferably in a darker shade (blue, black, red), with a long pair of gloves and expensive but tasteful jewellery - tiara optional - et voila: fit for a prince (Philip).

Russell Smith, Globe and Mail columnist and author of Men's Style: The Thinking Man's Guide to Dress, believes the First Couple's decision to go all-out for the Brits "reflects America's very conflicted relationship with British royalty."

And since the presidency is a "quasi-monarchical [institution]" a white-tie dinner also is a way of heightening and reinforcing the parity of the two heads of state.

Her Majesty's state dinner

The Reason

This is the Queen's first U.S. visit in 16 years. The dinner is to "celebrate the enduring bonds between the two nations."

THE GUESTS

There will be 134 guests sitting at 13 tables. The guest list includes U.S. Vice-President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, Defence Secretary Robert Gates and General Peter Pace, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs

of Staff.

The Menu

Five courses: appetizer/soup, fish, meat, salad and dessert.

First lady Laura Bush planned the dinner menu with social secretary Amy Zantzinger, executive chef Cristeta Comerford and executive pastry chef Bill Yosses.

The table

The setting will include cream damask tablecloths and items from the White House's Vermeil collection of 18th- and 19th-century English gilded silver, including candelabras and containers.

The Attire

The dinner will be President George W. Bush's first white-tie event. Former president Bill Clinton held three such dinners, the last in February, 2000, for King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain.

Source: Whitehouse.gov