WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Michelle Obama paid a visit to the State Department on Wednesday for a ceremony honoring courageous women from around the world — and almost went overboard in the honorifics for her host,  Hillary Clinton.

“This is indeed a pleasure and an honor to be here with all of you, you all look fabulous!” Obama told a roomful of honorees for the International Women of Courage Awards, an annual event.

Turning to Clinton — her husband’s erstwhile rival for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination — Obama kept up the good cheer.

“Let me thank my dear friend Senator Clinton… no, Secretary Clinton,” Obama said. Realizing her mistake, she allowed an exaggerated pause.

“I almost said President Clinton!”

That got a rise out of the group, which cheered and laughed as Clinton smilingly waved away the mistake.

Obama thanked Clinton for her “indispensable” advice on coming to grips with life in Washington, and said she had set the bar high for future First Ladies.

“I think its fair to say that this woman here set the standard in her last post in a presidential administration and she’s once again setting a terrific standard doing outstanding work as the secretary of state for the Obama administration,” Obama said.