Jim Dixon said: "As we approach the ceremony of the swearing-in of a new president, it occurs to me that this is probably a uniquely American tradition. I know, for instance, that in Britain, most of the ceremony of state centers on the monarch, not the Prime Minister. I don't know what happens on the installation of a new Prime Minister, but surely, it pales in comparison to the coronation of a king or queen."

In comparing the difference in ceremony between that for the US president the British prime minister, you must consider their difference in function. The prime minister is only head of government, whereas the US president is Chief of State AND head of government--sort of "king" AND "prime minister". Thus, in international dinners and other ceremonies, protocol has it that the US president precedes or perhaps sits higher on the table than the British prime minister; he comes higher in the diplomatic protocol pecking order.

Dave Oesterreich