Bill Clinton turned down tea with the Queen because he 'wanted to be a tourist' instead

Bill Clinton turned down tea with the Queen on his first official visit to the UK and told his aides he wanted a 'tourist' experience instead, previously classified documents reveal.

The former US President and wife and First Lady Hillary Clinton had flown to the UK to visit newly elected Prime Minister Tony Blair in 1997, when Buckingham Palace extended the invitation.

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According to the Guardian, a Downing Street briefing note released by the National Archives records that while the Clintons were 'very grateful for Her Majesty's invitation', they 'politely' declined the offer.

In the note, Tony Blair's private secretary Philip Barton said Clinton wanted time to explore the city — "he has said he wants to be a tourist" and, in particular, "expressed an interest in trying Indian food".

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While Downing Street wanted to give their all for the historic visit, seen as vital to 'establishing a good working relationship' between the two leaders, the Clintons wanted to keep the meeting 'fun' and informal.

To pander to the interests of the US leaders, other possible outings were suggested by Downing Street, including a "stroll in Trafalgar Square" before visiting a Sports Cafe in Haymarket where both men "could be shown how to play various sophisticated computer games by a group of children".

The suggestion was "firmly" rejected by the White House.

On the day, the draft itinerary saw the Clintons meet the Blairs at the US Embassy before visiting a garden and doing some shopping.

The couples then went for an early evening supper, not at a curry house, but at French restaurant Le Pont de la Tour, in London Bridge.

Blair was so impressed by the dinner that he wrote to the restaurant, thanking the staff for the 'magnificent food' and adding that 'the relaxed atmosphere was just what we needed'.

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While the Queen was snubbed on this occasion, the Clintons had previously met Her Majesty and Prince Philip in 1995, where they were given a tour of Buckingham Palace.

In his memoir, My Life, Clinton spoke warmly of the Queen:

"She's a highly intelligent woman who knows a lot about the world — I always marvel when we meet at what a keen judge she is of human events,"

"I think she's a very impressive person. I like her very much".

In 2000, the former president was welcomed back for a visit to the Palace with his wife, and daughter Chelsea.