Oct 22, 2009, 11:26 GMT
Britain's Queen Elizabeth started laughing when Canada's former Prime Minister accidentally swore.
Jean Chretien - who oversaw the country for 10 years from 1993 - has revealed how the British monarch started giggling when he accidently let slip the French expletive "merde", meaning "s**t" during an important ceremony.
In 1982, during the signing service of the Constitution Act in Ottawa, Canada, the 75-year-old former politician - who was the justice minister at the time - was almost unable to write his signature.
After Elizabeth signed the document with ease, the then Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau snapped off the end of the fountain pen they were using.
Mr. Chretien quipped: "I was the third one to sign but Mr. Trudeau had broken the tip and I said something in French that made a big laugh. I looked around if any one had seen it and said 'merde'."
The French-speaking former leader became firm friends with the 83-year-old queen when they worked closely together over the year.
He revealed the amusing story when he was made a member of the Order of Merit - in recognition of his distinguished service to the world - by the Queen, in front of a private audience at Buckingham Palace.
Speaking about the honor of receiving the prestigious award, he told Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper: "What can I say but merci beaucoup".
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