On the last day of his visit to Ireland and Britain, President Clinton praised Vice-President Al Gore for the manner of his concession and urged the American people to rally behind President-elect George W. Bush.
Before flying home last night, Mr Clinton assured Britain that its "special relationship" with the United States would be unaffected by the Bush succession.
That was Mr Tony Blair's theme, too, as he called President Clinton "a true leader of the Western world" while expressing confidence that "Britain's special friendship with America" would "flourish" under the Bush presidency.
Speaking outside Chequers at the start of the final leg of his three-day visit to Britain and Ireland, Mr Clinton said the protracted election battle had shown what was "best about America". Declaring himself "proud of both men", Mr Clinton promised Mr Bush the support of his administration to ensure "a smooth and successful transition".
At the same time he lavished praise on Mr Gore, particularly "for putting into words" in his concession speech "the feeling of all of us who disagreed with the Supreme Court decision but accepted it". Now, he said, Americans had a responsibility "to support President-elect Bush and unite our country in search of common ground".
Appearing alongside President Clinton for the final event of his visit yesterday afternoon - a major speech on globalisation at the University of Warwick - Mr Blair said the outgoing US president had been "a friend and counsel" to him and many other political leaders around the world.
He said Mr Clinton could be proud of both his domestic and foreign policy record. And Mr Blair placed special emphasis on "one thing that is hugely significant but insufficiently noticed, and that is his part in bringing Europe and America to a closer understanding of each other".
The Prime Minister told him: "Now I never hide the fact that I see Britain's role as America's closest ally, as a leading partner now in Europe, to be that of a bridge between the two . . . and I believe stronger with America makes us stronger in Europe, and stronger in Europe makes us a better ally of America."
To sustained applause Mr Blair continued: "More than anyone else Bill Clinton understood this, more than anyone else he sought to promote it and for that and much else besides, thank you."
Queen Elizabeth is also believed to have thanked President Clinton, especially for his role in developing and sustaining the Northern Ireland peace process, when they met earlier in the day at Buckingham Palace.
Ms Chelsea Clinton was given a private tour of the Buckingham Palace state apartments by the Surveyor of the Queen's Pictures, while Mr and Mrs Clinton chatted to the queen over tea and coffee in the audience room, where the queen normally receives the Prime Minister.
Before travelling to the palace Mr Clinton had surprised aides and his Secret Service detail by staging an impromptu walkabout in Hyde Park, following his arrival by helicopter from Chequers.
In between official engagements the President left wife Hillary and daughter Chelsea to the antique shops of Portobello Road in favour of a half-pint of organic lager and a bar meal in the trendy Portobello Gold. Pub owner Mike Bell was unable to offer Mr Clinton a hot meal because the electricity was off. But the President and his minders dined well on gambo prawns, smoked trout and pecan nut pate and club sandwiches, while a plainly relaxed Mr Clinton chatted happily about Northern Ireland and America's protracted presidential election.
In his speech at Warwick Mr Clinton took anti-globalisation protesters to task, saying: "I disagree with protesters who suggest that poor countries should somehow be saved from development by keeping their doors closed to trade. I think that is a recipe for continuing their poverty."
At Madame Tussaud's yesterday, the presidential battle was far from over as sculptors faced the prospect of seven-day weeks, and just one day off for Christmas, in a desperate bid to have Mr Bush's likeness ready for his inauguration on January 20th.