queen elizabeth visits to america

Tracing Queen Elizabeth’s steps through the U.S.

By Danielle Paquette | Sep 10, 2022

During her seven-decade reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited more than two dozen cities across the United States. She chatted with Girl Scouts, football players, presidents and Frank Sinatra . She cheered on race horses in Kentucky. She requested a ham sandwich with the crust removed in Texas. She sported a tweed skirt-suit in Yosemite National Park.

Wherever England’s longest-serving monarch went, photographers followed, capturing generations of Americans in the throes of Royal fever (and more than a few signature handbags ).

Oct. 17, 1957 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II heads to the White House as crowd's line Washington streets to see the royal monarch.

Oct. 18, 1957 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II accepts a doll for Princess Anne from 7-year-old Pamela Springmann during a visit at Children's Hospital.

Queen Elizabeth II and Vice President Richard Nixon tilt their heads for a better view of the oil paintings on the interior of the Capitol dome during a tour.

Oct. 19, 1957 | College Park, Md.

Co-captains of North Carolina and Maryland meet Queen Elizabeth II before the start of a game.

Oct. 21, 1957 | New York

Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a mink stole, and Prince Philip, standing next to a viewing telescope, view New York City from the observatory roof of the Empire State Building. The Queen said, "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Queen Elizabeth II, in a plastic domed car, rides up lower Broadway through a shower of ticker tape and confetti during procession to City Hall.

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the United Nations General Assembly.

Her Majesty kicked off a seven-city tour of the nation’s east in 1976 with a stop in Philadelphia, where she unveiled a gift for the City of Brotherly Love: a Bicentennial Bell to celebrate 200 years of American independence from English rule. (The bell remains in storage .)

July 7, 1976 | Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk down the ramp of their aircraft near Washington.

July 7, 1976 | Philadelphia

Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by the Girl Scouts of America.

July 8, 1976 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the U.S. Capitol.

On her New York leg, Elizabeth was spotted squeezing through city throngs, underscoring the lighter security protocols of yesteryear.

July 10, 1976 | New York

Thousands surround Queen Elizabeth II as she walks from the Federal Building up Wall Street to Trinity Church with Mayor Abraham Beame.

J Walter Green

July 10, 1976 | Charlottesville, Va.

Queen Elizabeth II tours Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home.

July 11, 1976 | Boston

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to spectators below from the balcony of the Old State House before the Queen descended to street level to address the crowd. The location is the site of the Boston massacre, an event which led to the Revolutionary War.

Elizabeth returned in 1983 for a trek through the West Coast. She visited a Southern California retirement home, led a champagne toast with then-president Ronald Reagan and absorbed the mountain views at Yosemite National Park.

Feb. 26, 1983 | San Diego

Queen Elizabeth II reviews the U.S. Marine Corps honor guard as she arrives for a State visit.

Feb. 28, 1983 | Sierra Madre

Queen Elizabeth II shares a smile with 97-year-old Sibyl Jones-Bateman after the monarch was presented with a bouquet during tour of the British Home retirement community near Los Angeles.

March 3, 1983 | San Francisco

President Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II raise their glasses in a toast during a state dinner at the M. H. de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Ed Reinke/AP

March 5, 1983 | Yosemite, Calif.

Park superintendent Bob Binnewies points out highlights from Inspiration Point to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Yosemite National Park.

The queen, a horse racing enthusiast, landed in Kentucky five times between 1984 and 2007, according to the Courier-Journal . She was known to turn up at horse farms, admiring the mares and foals.

May 23, 1986 | Versailles, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II puts out her hand to her filly foal by the mare Christchurch and Alydar during a visit to Lane's End Farm.

May 27, 1986 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II exchanges pleasantries with a line of Fayette County (Ky.) and Kentucky State Troopers on the tarmac as prepares to depart following a five-day visit.

Amy Sancetta/Associated Press

May 26, 1989 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II is welcomed by a child upon her arrival during a private visit to the U.S.

David Banks

During her 1991 visit, Elizabeth addressed Congress. Lawmakers gave the monarch a standing ovation, while opponents of British occupation in Northern Ireland protested outside the Capitol.

May 14, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II and President George H.W. Bush review the troops after the Queen's arrival at the White House.

May 15, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II holds flowers presented to her at Drake Place, a housing project.

May 16, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II is applauded by Vice President Dan Quayle and House Speaker Thomas Foley before her address to the U.S. Congress.

Doug Mills/AP

Elizabeth’s last U.S. state visit came in 2007, when she arrived for the 400th anniversary of England establishing its first permanent North American settlement in Jamestown, Va.

She dined with then-president George W. Bush, watched the Kentucky Derby through bulletproof glass and checked out Washington memorials.

May 4, 2007 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip look out of the window of an SUV as they leave the Bluegrass Airport after arriving.

Morry Gash/AP

May 5, 2007 | Louisville, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II chats with Prince Philip as Susan Lucci (black hat) looks on at the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Rob Carr/AP

May 7, 2007, | Washington

President Bush smiles at Queen Elizabeth II before the start of a State Dinner at the White House.

Evan Vucci/AP

May 8, 2007 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. Park Service Director Mary Bomar walk around the National World War II Memorial during a visit by the Queen and Duke.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

May 8, 2007 | Greenbelt, Md.

Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from children while walking during a visit to the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Larry Downing

Elizabeth made her final stop on American soil in 2010 to address the United Nations General Assembly. “I believe I was last here in 1957,” she deadpanned to her New York audience.

July 6, 2010 | New York

Queen Elizabeth II leaves a wreath of flowers at the site of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attack during her visit.

Lucas Jackson

Queen Elizabeth II speaks at the United Nations Headquarters.

Seth Wenig/AP

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This Is How Many Times Queen Elizabeth Has Visited America

During her long reign, Queen Elizabeth has met leaders from all around the world, including 13 out of the last 14 U.S. presidents , with Lyndon Johnson being the only commander in chief to miss out on a meeting with the queen (per Town & Country ). "In almost every instance, the Queen has also inspired admiration and respect. These are the qualities that underpin her unofficial title as her government's 'secret weapon,'" noted author Matthew Dennison in a piece for  The Telegraph .

Presidents to have visited the queen in her home country include Bill Clinton, Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and Joe Biden, but Queen Elizabeth has been a guest across the pond six times throughout the years. Elizabeth was not yet queen during her first visit to the United States when she was 25 years old in 1951. She and her husband , Prince Phillip, made the trip because her father, Queen George VI, was too sick to meet with Harry Truman in Washington D.C. The young couple clearly made a favorable impression on the president and his wife, with Truman stating "never before have we had such a wonderful young couple, who have so completely captured the hearts of all of us" (per Time ).

Four years after she became queen, Elizabeth returned to the United States in 1957, this time to meet with Dwight D. Eisenhower during the Cold War . She wouldn't be back on American soil until 1976 when she traveled to see Gerald Ford for the Bicentennial Celebration.

Queen Elizabeth has managed to charm every American president

Queen Elizabeth's last three visits to the United States came in 1983 to visit President Ronald Reagan at his California ranch; in 1991, when she met with George H.W. Bush and planted a tree on the South Lawn of the White House; and finally in 2007, when the queen commemorated the 400th anniversary of the English settlement in Jamestown during George W. Bush's presidency (per the White House Historical Association ).

Whether in the U.K. or the U.S., each of her meetings with American leaders has one thing in common: Queen Elizabeth has impressed every president. Barack Obama has called her "truly one of my favorite people" (per Time ), while Joe Biden boasted during his June 2021 visit to Windsor Castle that the queen was "extremely gracious, which is not surprising" (via  Town & Country ). He added that "she reminded me of my mother, in terms of the look of her and just the generosity." 

And even Donald Trump had kind words to say about the royal, stating, "If you think of it, for so many years she has represented her country, she has really never made a mistake. You don't see, like, anything embarrassing. She is just an incredible woman" (via  Business Insider ).

How Many Times Has Queen Elizabeth Visited America?

Queen Elizabeth II  is a world traveler, as she's made thousands of appearances since taking the throne in 1952, according to Reuters. Because of her status, she cannot just hop in a car and drive to her destination — there are certain royal protocols in place.

The queen is reportedly a fan of taking the train, regularly boarding at King's Cross in London and disembarking at Norfolk's King's Lynn station to kick off her Christmas break every year, per Town & Country. Elizabeth also has two helicopters in operation in case she wants to avoid traffic. If the queen is traveling by car, however, she prefers her Bentley State Limousine.

When it comes to traveling, the queen takes a few items to make her journey more pleasant. Elizabeth reportedly never travels without barley sugar candies to combat jet lag, per The Independent . She packs a black outfit in case of tragedy, and even brings along her own toilet paper, according to The Telegraph . Outfit choices are also important, so the queen reportedly packs around 30 options. She has also used the same suitcases since 1947 and writes "The Queen" on her luggage tags, per The Express .

Although the queen scaled back her traveling schedule due to coronavirus restrictions, have you ever wondered how many times she visited America? Keep reading for more details.

Queen Elizabeth II visited the United States six times

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip made six visits total to the United States, according to The Newport Daily News . A notable visit included the Bicentennial Celebration in July 1976 where they met president Gerald Ford and his wife Betty in Newport, Rhode Island. During their seven-day tour, the queen and Philip also stopped in Philadelphia and Boston.

She made numerous other visits to America, per the White House archives. Her first visit was in 1951 with the late Duke of Edinburgh before she became queen. The White House was due for some upgrades at the time, so she stayed with President Harry Truman and his family. Her next visit came in 1957, "to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607." In true royal fashion, she traveled by motorcade as hundreds lined the streets in poor weather to catch a glimpse of the queen.

Elizabeth also visited America in 1983, this time at President Ronald Reagan and Nancy Reagan's Rancho Del Cielo in Santa Barbara, California. The queen ditched her traditional tea for enchiladas and refried beans, and later enjoyed a state dinner in San Francisco. She crossed the pond yet again in 1991 and planted a tree on the South Lawn of the White House. In 2007, she returned for the 400th anniversary of the English settlement in Jamestown. She also visited the World War II Memorial with President Bush and his father George H.W. Bush. Perhaps she will hop the pond again when she can safely travel once more.

The Queen of travel

Queen Elizabeth II 1926 - 2022

Queen Elizabeth II leaves Fiji during a royal tour in February 1977. Serge Lemoine/Getty Images

The Queen of travel Journeys of a lifetime

By Francesca Street and Mark Oliver, CNN September 13, 2022

S he was traveling the moment she ascended to the throne, and for much of the next seven decades, Queen Elizabeth II criss-crossed the world. Newly married and still just a princess, Britain’s future monarch was in Kenya with husband Prince Philip in February 1952 when she learned of her father’s death and her new regal status.

During her reign she would visit more than 120 countries, witnessing first-hand the revolutions in global travel that shrank the world as her own influence over it diminished.

The Queen lived through the advent of the Jet Age, flew supersonic on the Concorde, saw regimes change, countries form and dissolve, the end of the British Empire and the rise of globalization.

Here are some of the most memorable travel moments from her 70 years as monarch.

November 24-25, 1953

Less than six months after she was crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, Queen Elizabeth set off on her travels again. Her debut official state trip was an epic six-month tour of the Commonwealth -- the alliance of nations which were once British colonies. Traveling by air, sea and land she visited several countries, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh. First stop was the North Atlantic island of Bermuda, a British territory she would visit a further four times during her reign. The trip would go on to include stops in Jamaica, Tonga, New Zealand, Australia, Cocos Islands, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Aden (now part of Yemen), Uganda, Malta and Gibraltar.

December 19-20, 1953

At Queen Elizabeth’s coronation in June 1953, Queen Salote Tupou III of the Polynesian kingdom of Tonga won over the British public when she sat, rain-soaked, in her open carriage. They also took an interest when Elizabeth returned the visit later in the year. The two queens enjoyed an open-air feast, watched Tongan dancers and admired a tortoise that legend said was presented by explorer Captain James Cook to the King of Tonga in 1777.

December 23, 1953 – January 30, 1954

New zealand.

The Queen voyaged to New Zealand during the Antipodean summer of 1953-4. Over the course of the trip, it’s estimated that three out of every four New Zealanders got a glimpse of her. In preparation for the Queen’s visit, some New Zealand sheep were dyed in the UK flag colors of red, white and blue. The Queen returned to the country nine times over the years, including in 2002 as she marked half a century on the throne.

April 10-21, 1954

Ceylon (now sri lanka).

A visit to Ceylon, now Sri Lanka, coincided with the Queen’s 28th birthday. She visited the city of Colombo where crowds joined together to sing her “Happy Birthday.” She also visited the central city of Kandy, where she watched a procession featuring a reported 140 elephants and met local chiefs.

April 8-11, 1957

The Queen had visited France as a young princess, but her first state visit as monarch was a glamorous affair. She attended the Palais Garnier opera house in Paris, visited the Palace of Versailles, and dined at the Louvre with then-President Rene Coty. The Queen also laid a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Arc de Triomphe and visited the Scottish Church of Paris.

October 17-20, 1957

United states.

Having met President Harry S. Truman in Washington in 1951 during a visit before ascending to the throne, Elizabeth was no stranger to America when she arrived on her first trip as Queen. Her 1957 visit marked the 350th anniversary of the first permanent British settlement on the continent, in Jamestown. The monarch attended a college football game at the former Byrd Stadium in Maryland where she watched the home team lose to North Carolina. She met with President Dwight D. Eisenhower in the White House and later traveled to New York, where she and Prince Philip drove through the streets and admired panoramic views of the city from the Empire State Building.

February 1-16, 1961

The Queen and Prince Philip visited Pakistan in 1961, arriving in the port city of Karachi after completing a visit to India as part of a wider tour of South Asia. She drove through the streets of Karachi in an open-top car, before going on to visit Lahore, where a torchlight military tattoo took place in her honor and Prince Philip played in a game of polo.

February 26 to March 1, 1961

In Nepal, the Queen inspected troops in Kathmandu and met Gurkha ex-servicemen in Pokhara. The monarch rode on an elephant and visited the Hanuman Dhoka Palace complex in Kathmandu. She took part in the rather grim spectacle of a tiger hunt although didn’t shoot any animals herself. She instead recorded the experience on cine camera – a recording device that she often carried with her on her earlier foreign trips.

March 2-6, 1961

The Queen visited pre-revolution Iran at the end of her 1961 South Asian tour. Hosted by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, she toured ancient monuments including the ruins of Persepolis, once a capital of the Achaemenid Empire, later declared a World Heritage Site. She also saw Sheikh Lotfollah mosque in Esfahan and admired collections of the Archaeological Museum of Iran.

May 5, 1961

Vatican city.

In 1961, Elizabeth became the first British monarch to visit the Vatican. Dressed all in black, the Queen had an audience with Pope John XXIII, also attended by Prince Philip. She returned to the Vatican three more times during her reign, meeting Pope John Paul II and Pope Francis.

November 9-20, 1961

Bombing incidents in the capital Accra left officials worried about the safety of the Queen’s visit to Ghana but, after deliberation, UK Prime Minister Harold Macmillan confirmed it would go ahead. During the trip, the Queen famously shared a dance with Ghana’s then-president, Kwame Nkrumah. At the height of Cold War uncertainty, this seemingly innocuous moment was seen as significant in ensuring Ghana remained affiliated to Britain and not the USSR.

May 18-28, 1965

West germany (now germany).

The Queen’s visit to West Germany and West Berlin was viewed as a symbolic gesture of goodwill in the post-World War II landscape. It was the first royal trip to German territory for more than 50 years and photographs such as one of the Queen and Prince Philip in a car driving past the Brandenburg Gate had symbolic resonance.

November 5-11, 1968

Queen Elizabeth became the first reigning British monarch to visit South America when she landed in Brazil in late 1968. During the trip, the Queen wore a striking jewelry set made of Brazilian aquamarine, gifted to her in 1953 by the Brazilian president and added to over time. The monarch also attended a football match between Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, and presented the winner’s trophy to Brazilian footballer Pele.

October 18-25, 1971

On the first of two trips to Turkey -- the second took place in 2008 -- the Queen visited the Gallipoli peninsula to remember the Allied soldiers who died there during World War I. The monarch also explored the ruins of the ancient Greek empire city of Ephesus. A media highlight of the visit came when she was photographed leaping ashore from a barge, after disembarking from her ship, the Royal Yacht Britannia.

February 10-15, 1972

Accompanied by Prince Philip and daughter Princess Anne, the Queen was greeted on arrival in Bangkok by a carpet of flower petals. The monarch was given a golden key to the city of Bangkok, attended a state banquet and visited Bang Pa-In Palace, the Thai royal family’s summer residence, north of the capital.

October 17-21, 1972

The Queen’s visit to Yugoslavia was her first trip to a communist country. The Central European country no longer exists -- the areas that the Queen visited are now part of Croatia. During her trip, she met Yugoslav political leader Josip Broz Tito and traveled on his famous Blue Train.

February 15-16, 1974

New hebrides (now vanuatu).

The Queen and Prince Philip visited the Pacific island archipelago of Vanuatu, then known as the New Hebrides, in 1974. It’s said the royal couple’s visit to Vanuatu may have strengthened the belief among some locals on Tanna island that the Duke of Edinburgh was a divine being.

February 24-March 1, 1975

On her first of two visits to Mexico, the Queen toured ancient sites -- including the pyramids of Uxmal, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The monarch also received local crafts, met school children and attended a banquet. While she was driven through Mexico City, the Queen was showered in confetti.

February 17-20, 1979

Saudi arabia.

In 1979, the Queen became the first female head of state to visit Saudi Arabia, on a tour of Gulf States. At Riyadh Airport, she was met by King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, pictured. The outfits she wore on the trip were carefully designed in accordance with Saudi Arabia’s conservative dress code for women. The Queen arrived on a British Airways supersonic Concorde aircraft and during the visit attended camel races and toured the National Museum.

October 26-27, 1982

The Queen visited Tuvalu, a group of nine islands in the South Pacific, in 1982. Upon arrival, the Queen and Prince Philip were carried in a flower-filled canoe from sea to shore. Thirty years later, in 2012, Prince William visited Tuvalu with his wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, who drank a coconut from a tree planted by Queen Elizabeth on this 1982 visit.

February 26 – March 6, 1983

On a star-studded trip to the United States, the Queen toured the 20th Century-Fox studios in Hollywood with then-First Lady Nancy Reagan and met Frank Sinatra, who she’d previously met in the 1950s, at a party given in her honor. The Queen and Prince Philip also visited Yosemite National Park in California, pictured.

November 10-14, 1983

The Queen returned to Kenya in 1983 for a state visit. When she was there 31 years previously, she'd learned that her father had passed away and she had become Britain’s reigning monarch. In 1983, the Queen and Prince Philip revisited the Treetops hotel, pictured, where they were staying at the time she was told the news.

October 12-18, 1986

The Queen’s trip to China was the first -- and, so far, only -- state visit by a British monarch to China. With Prince Philip by her side, the Queen visited the Great Wall of China, pictured, as well as the Forbidden City in Beijing.

October 17-20, 1994

In 1994, in another royal first, the Queen visited Russia. Over the three-day trip, the Queen met Moscow mayor Yuri Luzhkov, pictured here with the monarch outside St Basil’s Cathedral, as well as Russian President Boris Yeltsin. The Queen also attended the Bolshoi Ballet. In her traditional Christmas Day speech broadcast later that year, the Queen reflected on how times had changed, noting she “never thought it would be possible in [her] lifetime” to attend a service in Moscow’s famous cathedral.

March 19-25, 1995

South africa.

In 1994, after apartheid ended, South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth as a republic. The following year, the Queen traveled there, in a visit designed to renew ties between the two countries. The Queen met with President Nelson Mandela, pictured, and presented him with the Order of Merit.

October 12-18, 1997

The Queen visited India for the third time in 1997, her first public engagement since Princess Diana’s funeral just weeks before. The trip marked 50 years since India’s independence from Britain. Most memorably, the monarch visited the site of the Amritsar massacre, also known as the Jallianwala Bagh massacre, of April 13, 1919. She also expressed regret at a state banquet in New Delhi for the “distressing” episode in which British soldiers gunned down hundreds of unarmed civilians. The gesture was seen by some as inadequate. “The Queen is doing everything she can to make India like her. But so far it does not seem to be working,” wrote the UK’s Independent newspaper at the time.

October 4-15, 2002

The Queen visited Canada many times. In 2002, her trip to the North American country coincided with her Golden Jubilee festivities, celebrating 50 years of her reign. During the trip, the Queen attended an ice hockey game between the Vancouver Canucks and the San Jose Sharks, and dropped the ceremonial puck.

March 11-16, 2006

The Queen visited Australia 16 times as Head of State. In 2006, she traveled to Melbourne to open the Commonwealth Games. She was greeted by a welcoming party in Canberra, visited the Sydney Opera House, attended a Commonwealth Day service in St. Andrew’s Cathedral and toured Admiralty House, the Sydney residence of the Governor-General of Australia.

May 17-20, 2011

The Queen’s trip to Dublin was the first time a British monarch had set foot in the Irish Republic since its 1922 independence. At Dublin Castle the Queen delivered a well-received speech on the history of Anglo-Irish relations. In County Tipperary, she also toured the medieval Rock of Cashel, pictured, once a seat of power for Ireland’s ancient kings.

November 26-28, 2015

From 1949 to 1951, before she was Queen, Elizabeth and Prince Philip lived in Malta. In 2015, the monarch paid her last visit to the island, touring the Grand Harbour in a Maltese fishing boat and waving to members of the British Royal Navy.

United Kingdom

In the later years of her reign, the Queen cut back on foreign travel, passing on the mantle to the younger royals. In more recent years, royal tours have also been looked at with more skeptical eyes, as Britain reckons with its colonial past.

While she didn't travel abroad in the later years of her reign, the Queen continued to vacation in the UK. Most notably, the Queen’s ties with Scotland remained strong throughout her reign and her residence there, Balmoral Castle, was a favorite refuge. It was at Balmoral that the Queen died on September 8, 2022.

Washington to Yosemite: the Queen’s visits to the US over the years – in pictures

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Over the past 71 years, the Queen visited America as both a princess and queen, and met more US presidents than any other head of state, according to the White House

Fri 9 Sep 2022 16.23 BST Last modified on Fri 9 Sep 2022 19.44 BST

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Queen Elizabeth II 'floored' Americans during final visit to US in 2007

She impressed in the jamestown settlement with her grace and ability to wear heels on rocky ground.

Queen Elizabeth II at the White House during her state visit to the US in 2007, to mark the 400th anniversary of the arrival of the first English settlers. Getty

Queen Elizabeth II left a lasting impression on Americans during her final visit to the US, given her grace, confidence and ability to wear heels on rocky ground.

The late monarch and her husband Prince Philip embarked on a six-day tour in 2007 to commemorate the 400th anniversary of the establishment of the first British settlement in America.

The couple were received by the president at the time, George W Bush, and his wife Laura. The pair threw a state dinner at the White House in honour of the sovereign.

The queen, a lifelong lover of horses, also attended the Kentucky Derby during her tour. However, it was her visit to the Jamestown settlement in Williamsburg, Virginia, that personified the significance of the historic visit.

“It was very, very clear that she was reflecting on our site,” David Givens, director of archaeology at the Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, told The National. “She conveyed to the team overall that this was the beginnings of the British Empire ― Jamestown. We were floored.”

The small island near the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay became the first successful English colony in 1607 ― and thus the British Empire had spread to the US.

Archaeologists have for years worked at the site in an attempt to discover the workings of the first English settlers. When the queen visited Jamestown in 1957 for the 350th anniversary, researchers believed the remains of the fort were underwater. By the time she returned five decades later, there had been a breakthrough as diggers had unearthed the foundations of the settlement on land.

Mr Givens described how it was “such an honour” to have the queen visit the site and have his team’s archaeological dig acknowledged by such a prominent figure. Staff showed her and the Duke of Edinburgh their remarkable finds, including a pit filled with dozens of sword hilts used by settlers who crossed the water on boats.

Before receiving their guest of honour and her consort, the team went to a local DIY store to pick up supplies. Members then built custom-made stairs to enable the queen to walk down to the archaeological site.

But while extra safety measures were shunned by the monarch’s team, President Bush’s inner circle demanded a railing be constructed especially for the leader’s visit the following week.

“I was concerned…'do we need railing for her, do we need any kind of safety things?',” Mr Givens said, recalling a conversation he had with the queen’s private secretary. “And he said ‘oh no, she’ll just pop down into the site'.

“The queen of England walked down those ding-dang stairs. And in heels. She was wearing heels. She walked a third of a mile from the museum out to the site.

“President Bush also used those stairs ― but his secretary asked us to install a guard and handrail. That kind of struck me ― the differences.”

The queen’s trip also included a meeting with the leader of a tribe of Native Americans.

Throughout her 70-year reign, the sovereign visited the US several times and undertook three state visits of the country.

From Harry Truman to Joe Biden , the head of Britain’s royal family met with 13 of the last 14 US presidents.

The death of the queen at Balmoral on September 8 “was our loss as well”, Mr Givens said, as he praised the monarch for time and again reaching out to the American people.

“Her grace at the site was just something to behold,” he said. “She was such a powerful person and she exuded that in the way she conducted herself.

“You primed yourself just to be in amazement.

“As Americans, we’re a former part of a British colony, we often project things on to people but, at that time, I was struck that she was exuding a confidence and a character that you don’t often see.

“She was just phenomenal.”

His colleague Michael Lavin, director of collections and conservation at Jamestown, commended the queen for her “great run” of 96 years of life and 70 years on the throne.

“She was not disinterested, she was not going through the motions, she was not doing this to tick a box,” he told The National, recalling his meeting with her in 2007. “This was something that she wanted to do and she cared about what we here at the small little site were doing. It was very sad to hear of her passing.”

Queen Elizabeth II in the US - in pictures

Reagan laughs following a joke by Queen Elizabeth, who commented on the lousy California weather she has experienced since her arrival in the US. Getty Images

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Queen Elizabeth II and the White House

Beginning in 1951, Queen Elizabeth II cultivated a seventy-year friendship with the White House, visiting the United States several times as both princess and queen. Her visits have included four State Visits, five State Dinners, and two unofficial visits during her reign. In seventy years, Queen Elizabeth II participated in many important White House traditions and met more U.S. presidents than any other head of state. In this collection, explore the decades-long history of Queen Elizabeth II and the White House.

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The White House and Queen Elizabeth II

The White House and Queen Elizabeth II shared a long history of friendship and diplomacy. Queen Elizabeth II’s reign spanned 14 presidential administrations.

Queen Elizabeth II

As the longest-reigning British monarch in history, Queen Elizabeth II met with more than a dozen sitting American presidents. Explore the gallery to learn more about these historic moments!

New Issue of White House History Quarterly, “Queen Elizabeth II: The Royal Visits” Available on Pre-Order Today

The White House Historical Association (WHHA) today released the 64th issue of its award-winning magazine, White House History Quarterly. Queen Elizabeth II visited the United States as princess and queen, officially and privately, eight times, from 1951 to 2010, never failing to make front page news. She has met more U.S. presidents than any other head of state, thirteen of the

Examples of State Dinners Throughout History

December 22, 1874: First State Dinner for a foreign head of state King David Kalakaua of the Kingdom of Hawaii. Hosted by President Ulysses S. Grant, the king had royal food testers to sample the more than 20-course White House dinner. 1902: The Roosevelt renovation included a major expansion of the State Dining Room from entertaining approximately 40 guests to the accommodation of 120 people.

Reagan's Ranch in the Heavens

Commonly known as “Ranch in the Sky,” Rancho del Cielo was President Ronald Reagan’s rural property in the Santa Ynez Mountains just outside Santa Barbara, California.1 The Pacific Ocean, just a few miles to the south, can be seen from the peaks that nestle the small ranch house.2 It was among these mountains that President Reagan found the perfect reprie

Eleanor Roosevelt's "My Day": Entertainment

The Roosevelts loved to entertain. During their thirteen-year stay in the White House, they used the mansion's grand setting to host receptions for congressmen, senators, governors, justices of the Supreme Court, foreign dignitaries, and even royalty. Less formal affairs included simple lunches or dinners with family and friends, intimate cocktail parties, teas, and game nights, as well as impromptu skits

Marian Anderson Performs at the White House

One of the most memorable performances in White House history was Marian Anderson’s rendition of Schubert’s "Ave Maria" as the culmination of a gala "Evening of American Music" presented by Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt in 1939. The entertainment was planned for a state visit by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England. Anderson’s powerful voice soared that evenin

Visiting the White House

Read Digital Edition Foreword, William SealeCollecting White House Memories: Silver Spoons as Souvenirs, Rebecca Yerkes RogersA Visit to the White House in the 1940s: A Childhood Memory, Jeannine Smith ClarkThe President Smiled at Me and Other Memories of Washington, Lonn TaylorGrand Duke Alexis, A "Scion of Despotism," Visits the Ulysses S. Grant White House, Lee A. FarrowThe Infanta Eulalia of

The United Kingdom and Ireland in the White House

For over two centuries, the United Kingdom and Ireland have enjoyed a relationship with the United States unparalleled in world history. The White House Historical Association, together with the British Embassy and the Embassy of Ireland, is illuminating these remarkable historic connections by organizing a full-day symposium titled The United Kingdom and Ireland in the White House: A Conversation on

Notable British Visitors

Digital library collections.

The Official 2024 White House Christmas Ornament

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From Truman to Biden, the queen's meetings with presidents were formal, fun or awkward

Princess Elizabeth and President Harry Truman smile from an open auto at National Airport on Oct. 31, 1951 in Washington, D.C. AP hide caption

Princess Elizabeth and President Harry Truman smile from an open auto at National Airport on Oct. 31, 1951 in Washington, D.C.

The death of Queen Elizabeth II closes a chapter in British history that lasted seven decades. But beyond the years, there's another way to mark her reign: in her lifetime, the queen met with a procession of 13 different U.S. presidents. The names and faces of the American head of state kept changing — while the queen and her crown remained a constant.

Her title was still Princess Elizabeth when she arrived in America for the first time in October 1951. Dignitaries on hand to meet the future queen on the crowded tarmac at Washington National Airport included President Harry Truman.

"It certainly is a very great pleasure for me as president of the United States to welcome you to the capital of our country," Truman said, adding, "I think your visit will improve — if that is possible — the cordial relations that exist between our two great countries, and I hope that while you are here you will have a very enjoyable time."

The 25-year-old Elizabeth — with husband Philip by her side — was there to represent her ailing father, King George VI.

Just months later, she'd be crowned queen.

Her next trip to America came in 1957 when President Dwight D. Eisenhower hosted her at a state dinner at the White House.

President Dwight Eisenhower and first lady Mamie Eisenhower are joined by their royal guests, Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, at the White House on Oct. 17, 1957. AP hide caption

President Dwight Eisenhower and first lady Mamie Eisenhower are joined by their royal guests, Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, at the White House on Oct. 17, 1957.

Eisenhower — dressed in white-tie and tails for the formal event — also wore a medal around his neck that the late King George VI had awarded him in recognition of his role as commander of allied forces in Europe during World War II.

John F. Kennedy was the first president Elizabeth hosted

News footage from 1961 shows the young president and first lady riding through London streets in an open top limousine. Crowds can be seen pressing forward, trying to get a closer look.

The Kennedys were invited to Buckingham Palace for dinner. Photos show the queen, Prince Philip and the Kennedys posing, all dressed in formal wear. But the visit has long been reported to have been more than a bit awkward.

There are stories of a queen jealous of the glamourous Jacqueline Kennedy. In fact, the encounter inspired the story-line for an episode of the Netflix Series, The Crown in 2017 — with the drama enhanced to be sure.

Prince Philip, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II listen to President John Kennedy at Buckingham Palace in London on June 5, 1961. AP hide caption

Prince Philip, first lady Jacqueline Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II listen to President John Kennedy at Buckingham Palace in London on June 5, 1961.

The series showed the queen getting word from a friend and confidant, Baron Patrick Plunket, of dismissive comments uttered later by Jackie Kennedy. In the series, Plunket tells the queen, "She found Buckingham Palace second-rate, dilapidated and sad, a much neglected provincial hotel. And that one came away with a sense of a tired institution without a place in the modern world."

The next president — Lyndon Johnson — was the only one Elizabeth did not meet. There's no definitive explanation as to why, but the meetings resumed with Richard Nixon.

Queen Elizabeth II waves as she stands with President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford on the balcony of the White House on July 7, 1976. J Walter Green/AP hide caption

Queen Elizabeth II waves as she stands with President Gerald Ford and first lady Betty Ford on the balcony of the White House on July 7, 1976.

President Gerald Ford would welcome the queen in a ceremony on White House South Lawn on the occasion of America's bicentennial, marking its break with the crown.

"Your Majesty, the wounds of our parting in 1776 healed long ago. Americans admire the United Kingdom as one of our truest allies and best friends," Ford said.

For her part, the queen described that past as long buried.

"History is not a fairy tale," she said in a toast at a state dinner that evening. "What is more important is that our shared language and traditions and history have given us a common vision of what is right and just."

President Jimmy Carter visited Elizabeth at Buckingham Palace in London a year later.

President Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II go horseback riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle, England on June 8, 1982. Bob Daugherty/AP hide caption

President Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II go horseback riding in the grounds of Windsor Castle, England on June 8, 1982.

Then it was Ronald Reagan, the president with whom the queen seemed most comfortable. They went horseback riding together outside Windsor Castle and held long conversations with one another. Reagan later welcomed the queen to his home state of California, including a dinner in her honor in San Francisco.

President George H.W. Bush entertained the queen on her next U.S. visit, and he decided it was time that she got a look at America's pastime. Bush took the queen and Prince Philip her to a Major League Baseball game in Baltimore. She even held a receiving line with players in the Orioles dugout.

Such moments are symbolic and more. While presidents discuss policy with British prime ministers, with the monarch it's more about friendship and shared national values.

President George H.W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and first lady Barbara Bush wave to the crowd before the start of the Orioles vs. the Oakland Athletics baseball game at the Memorial Stadium in Baltimore on May 15, 1991. J. David Ake/AFP via Getty Images hide caption

President George H.W. Bush, Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip, and first lady Barbara Bush wave to the crowd before the start of the Orioles vs. the Oakland Athletics baseball game at the Memorial Stadium in Baltimore on May 15, 1991.

Elizabeth met Bill Clinton three times while he was president, including at ceremonies to mark the 50th anniversary of the D-Day landings on the European continent during WWII.

When George W. Bush was at the palace in 2003, the niceties of that visit were overshadowed by huge street demonstrations over the war in Iraq. Security was so tight during that trip, Bush's itinerary in London included no contact with the British people.

Four years later, Bush would host Elizabeth at the White House. During the welcome ceremony, Bush started to tell the audience that the queen had previously been there for the bicentennial in 1976 — but he misspoke and started to say she'd visited in 1776. He caught himself, paused, then looked over at the queen.

"She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child," Bush quipped.

President George W. Bush welcomes Queen Elizabeth II during an arrival ceremony on the south lawn of the White House on May 7, 2007. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images hide caption

President George W. Bush welcomes Queen Elizabeth II during an arrival ceremony on the south lawn of the White House on May 7, 2007.

The rest of the visit went smoothly, including a state dinner with a performance by the legendary violinist Itzhak Perlman afterward.

Proper etiquette is always paramount with the royals, but missteps do happen

In this Wednesday, April 1, 2009 file photo, Michelle Obama walks with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the reception at Buckingham Palace in London. Daniel Hambury/AP hide caption

In this Wednesday, April 1, 2009 file photo, Michelle Obama walks with Britain's Queen Elizabeth II at the reception at Buckingham Palace in London.

When President and Michelle Obama were at the palace in 2009, at one point the first lady put her arm around the Queen. An affectionate gesture, but hugging the monarch is not something you're supposed to do.

Then there was President Trump's inspection of the Royal Guard on the palace grounds in 2018. It's an important ceremonial moment, but Trump suddenly cut right in front of the queen, blocking her path. It took a moment for them to sort it out and for Elizabeth to get herself into proper position to resume the inspection.

President Donald Trump steps in front of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on July 13, 2018. Richard Pohle/WPA Pool/Getty Images hide caption

President Donald Trump steps in front of Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle in Windsor, England on July 13, 2018.

British tabloids took great notice. But in the case of both Trump and with Mrs. Obama, the queen appeared not to take offense.

In 2021, an economic summit brought President Biden to the UK. It's worth noting that every president before him who had met the queen had also met Prince Philip, who died two months prior to Biden's visit. As he began a major speech to the summit, Biden used the moment to first pay tribute to the queen's husband of 73 years.

'Today would have been Prince Philip's 100th birthday," Biden said, "I know there are a lot of people feeling his absence today."

Days later, the queen had the president and the first lady to the castle for tea.

Afterward, Biden told reporters that she had been gracious and that she reminded him a bit of his own mother.

He was the thirteenth sitting U.S. president Elizabeth would meet.

Queen Elizabeth II stands with President Biden during his visit to Windsor Castle on June 13, 2021 in Windsor, England. David Rose/WPA Pool/Getty Images hide caption

Queen Elizabeth II stands with President Biden during his visit to Windsor Castle on June 13, 2021 in Windsor, England.

Looking Back at Queen Elizabeth II's Visits to NYC Through the Years

Take a look at Queen Elizabeth's visits to the tri-state area over the years.

Published September 9, 2022 • Updated on September 9, 2022 at 12:38 pm

Queen Elizabeth II passed away Thursday at the age of 96, prompting a wave of worldwide mourning and tributes for the monarch who reigned for seven decades.

During the years as head of the British Royal Family, Queen Elizabeth traveled the world many times over, including visiting the tristate area -- particularly New York City -- on numerous occasions.

QUEEN ELIZABETH II'S FIRST VISIT TO NYC (1957)

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Queen Elizabeth II visited New York City in 1957 -- five years after her accession to the throne when she was just 25 years old. The queen was met with a motorcade and a ticker-tape parade as she traveled down Fifth Avenue. It was during this Royal Tour that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited the top of the Empire State Building. ( The building lit up in purple and silver in honor of the queen Thursday evening. )

QUEEN ELIZABETH II VISITS TRI-STATE AREA TO CELEBRATE BICENTENNIAL OF THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION (1976)

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During her world travels,  Queen Elizabeth made a brief trip to Connecticut as well as to New York City in July 1976 as part of the celebration of the Bicentennial of the American Revolution.

During Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh's visit to New York City, they visited the New York Stock Exchange and managed to squeeze in a visit to Bloomingdale's. She was even named an honorary citizen of the city.

Documentation of the visit is maintained by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

On the night of Friday, July 9, 1976,  Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, set sail on the HMY Britannia from New York to New Haven .

The  New York Times website  has a story from the Associated Press from July 11, 1976, which says 50,000 people lined the docks, streets and the airport in New Haven for a glimpse of the queen’s 40‐minute visit.

QUEEN ELIZABETH'S 2010 VISIT INCLUDES TRIBUTE TO 9/11 VICTIMS

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh's 2010 visit to New York City was the culmination of an 8-day tour of Canada. A day before heading back to England, the queen addressed the United Nations. Before this, she last addressed the UN in 1957.

The queen's trip was an emotional one, as Her Majesty and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh visited Ground Zero and paid their respects to the lives lost during the 9/11 terrorist attacks and laid a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh also visited The British Garden in Hanover Square located in the Financial District. The garden stands as a memorial memorial to the British who died at the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

Two years later, the garden was renamed "The Queen Elizabeth II September 11th Garden, Inc.” as the memorial for all the Commonwealth victims of the 9/11 attacks and honoring Her Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee.

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When Queen Elizabeth Visited Boston: Redcoats, the Royal Wave and American Cheering

British soldiers dressed in the red coats that were infamous during the time of the american revolution stood once again by massachusetts' old state house when the queen visited in 1976, by asher klein • published september 8, 2022 • updated on september 8, 2022 at 4:14 pm.

In her long time on the throne of the United Kingdom, Queen Elizabeth II visited Boston once, for an event marking a very crucial event in American history.

For her third visit to the United States, Elizabeth attended the Bicentennial ceremonies in 1976, and ended her trip where the country began: in Boston.

Images from the time show her smiling as she walked through the streets with then-Mayor Kevin White. British soldiers dressed in the red coats that were infamous during the time of the American Revolution stood once again by Massachusetts' Old State House.

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Tens of thousands of people came out to see Elizabeth and Prince Philip, The Boston Globe reported at the time.

"Everytime the queen smiled or let free one of her white gloved hands, barely bending the wrist fluttering regal waves, people responded in turn with beaming smiles, prolonged applause and an occasional American, but very un-British cheer," Robert Rosenthal and Nick King wrote.

But there were protests as well. As British soldiers marched in review past City Hall, demonstrators held up signs. Some read, "England: Get out of Ireland NOW!" and "No surrender to British imperialism."

Elizabeth was being remembered Thursday around the U.S. and the globe after her death at the age of 96. Boston Mayor Michelle Wu shared an image of the monarch in City Hall, which was then just seven years old, and called her an inspiration for her "grace & steadfast leadership."

Boston mourns the loss of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, whose grace & steadfast leadership have inspired generations around the world. Our hearts are with her family, loved ones & the people of the UK. pic.twitter.com/d8YG7sRYTN — Mayor Michelle Wu 吳弭 (@MayorWu) September 8, 2022

Elizabeth would make six trips to the United States in her 70-year reign. During the visit for the bicentennial, when she was 50 years old, she also stopped in Philadelphia, New York City, Charlottesville, Newport and Providence.

American's Bicentennial Celebration was a national party marking 200 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. At a state dinner at the White House, Elizabeth and President Gerald Ford shared a dance.

After Boston, the queen traveled to Canada, where she opened the Montreal Olympics.

More on Queen Elizabeth II

Queen elizabeth ii, britain's longest-serving monarch, dies at age 96.

Operation Unicorn: Here's What Happens Now That Queen Elizabeth Has Died

‘Historic Reign': Local Officials React to the News of Queen Elizabeth II's Death

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Queen Elizabeth's many royal visits to America

Over her 70 year reign, Queen Elizabeth II made several visits to the United States, bolstering the alliance between both countries. (Sept. 9)

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Inside Queen Elizabeth’s first US visit as monarch & close bond with President Eisenhower forging crucial UK alliance

• Danielle Cinone
• Cheyenne R. Ubiera
• Published : 14:11 ET, Sep 8 2022
• Updated : 17:37 ET, Sep 8 2022
• Published : Invalid Date,

QUEEN Elizabeth II, who passed away at the age of 96 on Thursday, will be remembered as the longest-serving monarch in British history.

Her Majesty Elizabeth II lived a life of adventure, including a long history of friendship and diplomacy with the White House, which spanned 13 administrations.

According to the White House , Queen Elizabeth II first visited Washington, DC, as Princess with her husband Prince Philip on October 31, 1951.

During that visit, she stayed at the Blair House with President Harry S. Truman and his family as the White House was under renovation.

She later visited the White House in 1957, 1976, 1983, 1991, and 2000, with 1957 being her first US visit as Queen.

In 1957, the Queen and Prince Philip stayed with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and First Lady Mamie Eisenhower.

Read More on Queen Elizabeth

We look back at the Queen's meetings with 13 American presidents

Queen Elizabeth II coronation - date and age of the new monarch

Queen Elizabeth II had "demonstrably close relations with President Eisenhower, whom she actually corresponded with him for years," Alan Mendoza, Executive Director of the Henry Jackson Society, told The U.S. Sun.

He explained: "There was one occasion when she even shared a recipe for scones with him.

"And of course, Eisenhower hosted her first visit to the US as queen.

"So there was obviously something there that there was also a wartime link, of course, Eisenhower had been the Supreme Allied Commander, he'd obviously met the royal family during the war."

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The Queen's first trip as Queen to North America took place when she was approximately five years into her reign.

The visit forged a crucial alliance between the United Kingdom and the United States.

The reason behind the visit was to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia, in 1607.

And it took place "in the midst of the Cold War" when "the alliance between the US and Britain was as crucial as ever," LIFE explains.

"Despite inclement weather, large crowds lined the streets to greet the Queen as she traveled by motorcade from Washington National Airport to the White House, and several hundred onlookers pressed against the White House fence hoping for a closer view," the White House recounts on its website.

"After visiting Arlington National Cemetery to lay wreaths at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and the Canadian Cross of Sacrifice, the British guests attended a State Dinner at the White House that evening."

During the Queen's third visit, she and Philip were hosted by President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford on July 7, 1976.

Eight years later, she visited again and was hosted by President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan.

In 1991, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip met with President George H.W. Bush and First Lady Barbara Bush.

And during her last visit in 2007, she and Prince Philip met with George W. Bush and First Lady Laura Bush.

The last visit, like the one in 1957, celebrated the 400th anniversary of the English settlement of Jamestown, Virginia.

In addition to traveling to the White House, Queen Elizabeth II also went to the state of Kentucky for horse racing and is remembered for her "lifelong love for horses."

She visited Kentucky twice in the 1980s and once in 2007 for the Kentucky Derby, according to WKYT .

"Keeneland joins the world in mourning the loss today of Queen Elizabeth II, a beloved leader with exceptional integrity and an unmatched horsewoman," Keeneland Racing said in a statement.

"Queen Elizabeth’s lifelong love for horses and her passion for racing left an indelible legacy on the sport around the world and at Keeneland."

Meanwhile, according to royal experts, the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, the "ultimate public servant" will leave a huge void in the United States .

Sandro Monetti, a trustee of The Royal Society of St George, which is the Queen’s charity in America, shared how the Queen acted as a constant light not only for the United Kingdom but also for the  US .

"There has been so much affection around the Royal family here in the US, and most especially for the  Queen  who, in an ever-changing world had been a constant light, a symbol of dignity and grace," Monetti exclusively told The US Sun.

”Now that light has gone out, the sense of loss will be felt as deeply here as anywhere in the world."

Monetti added that despite the US having been built on rebellion against the British crown, there has ironically grown to be so much love for the former rulers.

Jeremy Murphy, who has worked with Royal family advisors and teams as a PR strategist, expects US media coverage of the Queen's passing to continue for many weeks as if it was a "home-grown story."

He told The U.S. Sun: "The Queen's passing is a global event and will remain in the world's thoughts for many weeks.

"Diana was seen in the US as the People's Princess, Elizabeth was the world's Queen. She was beloved in America and seen as the rock of a family.

"Honestly, the family has endured its fair share of scandals, The Queen has been the one thing that has stayed consistent."

In the aftermath of the Queen's passing, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi ordered the US Capitol flags to be flown at half staff.

President Carter released a statement : "Rosalynn and I extend our condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the citizens of the United Kingdom.

"Her dignity, graciousness, and sense of duty have been an inspiration, and we join the millions around the world in mourning a remarkable leader."

And the Queen 's untimely death sent  Twitter's service crashing , as thousands worldwide began reporting outage issues.

Outages in the  US , UK, and  Japan  were being reported to Downdector, who recorded over 2,500 complaints moments after The Queen's passing was announced.

Buckingham Palace confirmed on Thursday the Queen had passed away - making her son,  Charles , King.

The palace announced in a statement: "The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon.

"The King and The Queen Consort will remain at Balmoral this evening and will return to London tomorrow."

Charles gave a somber statement as he led the nation in mourning tonight.

He said: "The death of my beloved mother, Her Majesty The Queen, is a moment of the greatest sadness for me and all members of my family.

“We mourn profoundly the passing of a cherished sovereign and a much-loved mother. I know her loss will be deeply felt throughout the country, the Realms and the Commonwealth, and by countless people around the world.

“During this period of mourning and change, my family and I will be comforted and sustained by our knowledge of the respect and deep affection in which the Queen was so widely held.”

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Her passing comes after  Prince Charles  and  Prince William  raced to be by the Queen’s side after doctors confirmed they were  “concerned” for her health .

Prior to her death, the monarch was said by Buckingham Palace to be “comfortable” at Balmoral, where she remained under medical supervision.

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• queen elizabeth

Queen Elizabeth helped Philly celebrate America's bicentennial in 1976

The Queen and Prince Philip arrived at Penn's Landing on Tuesday, July 6, 1976.

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) -- It was July 1976. The City of Philadelphia was celebrating America's bicentennial. And the City of Brotherly Love welcomed a very special guest - Queen Elizabeth II.

The Queen and Prince Philip arrived at Penn's Landing on Tuesday, July 6, 1976. The 412-foot royal yacht Britannia docked and the royal couple made their way on land.

The New York Times reported a crowd estimated at up to 5,000 gathered to see their arrival.

RELATED: Tour guide remembers Queen's Philly visit

The Queen was greeted by Philadelphia Mayor Frank Rizzo and Pennsylvania Governor Milton Shapp.

Former U.S. Ambassador to England Walter J. Annenberg was among the dignitaries bowing in recognition of the monarch.

The Queen met with Girl Scouts who were dressed in colonial garb.

The Girl Scouts of America, including National President of Girl Scouts Dr. Gloria Scott, presented a book honoring women of the U.S. to the Queen.

During her visit, the Queen visited City Hall, the Liberty Bell at Independence Hall and the Penn Mutual Building.

The 50-year-old Queen also presented the city with the Bicentennial Bell, a gift of the Government of Great Britain to the United States.

Hobart "Hobie" Cawood, the Superintendent of Independence National Historic Park, was in charge of the park's celebration. He showed Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip a plaque describing the Bicentennial Bell.

The inscription on the bell read:

The bell had been hanging in its bell tower since June 1976, but as the New York Times reported, "her majesty pushed her button as a signal for the bell to be rung the first time."

The National Park Service says:

"Queen Elizabeth II spoke at the dedication ceremony in Independence National Historical Park's Visitor Center on July 6, 1976," the National Park Service said. "She expressed gratitude to America's Founding Fathers for teaching the British 'to respect the right of others to govern themselves in their own way.' Acknowledging a valuable lesson, she emphasized the shared heritage of the principles of the Magna Carta guiding our nations."

The 12,446-pound bell was cast at the Whitechapel Foundry in London, the same company that produced the original Liberty Bell in 1751, the NPS said.

"It seems to me that Independence Day, the Fourth of July, should be celebrated as much in Britain as in America," the Queen said during the ceremony. "Not in rejoicing in the separation of the American colonies from the British crown but in sincere gratitude to the Founding Fathers of the great Republic for having taught Britain a very valuable lesson.

"...On the side of the Bicentennial Bell are the words 'Let Freedom Ring.' It is a message in which both our people can join and which I hope will be heard around the world for centuries to come."

RELATED: Former Park Service ranger recalls opening door for Queen Elizabeth during Philadelphia visit

The Bicentennial Bell rang out at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. for many years from its tower at the former Visitor Center on 3rd Street between Chestnut and Walnut streets.

The bell was placed in storage in 2013 to clear space to build the Museum of the American Revolution.

Independence Historical Trust and Independence National Historical Park are partnering to renovate a garden at the corner of 3rd and Walnut streets to be the future home of the Bicentennial Bell.

The goal is to have this project finished and open to the public before America's 250th anniversary in 2026.

After the bell ceremony, the Queen walked to Carpenters Hall, as the New York Times reported, "through the crowd estimated by the National Park Service at 75,000 people, stopping to talk to people in the sweating enthusiastic and often flag-waving crowd as she went."

She then entered the First Bank Building, where Temple University student Helaine Myzel, who was also a young Park Service ranger, opened the door for the Queen.

"I'm thrilled," Myzel told the New York Times that day. "I'll be able to tell my grandchildren I opened the door for the Queen."

The New York Times reported the Queen completed her visit with a dinner for 400 people and a reception for 600 given by the City of Philadelphia at the Museum of Art.

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• LIBERTY BELL
• PHILADELPHIA CITY HALL
• QUEEN ELIZABETH
• PHILADELPHIA MUSEUM OF ART

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Queen Elizabeth I: Colonising America

How did Walter Raleigh use his influence at court to colonise America?

In the 1570s and 1580s, Queen Elizabeth I granted royal permission to two Englishmen to colonise America.

As Spain had laid claim to much of South and Central America, England’s attention was directed to the eastern coast of North America. Sir Humphrey Gilbert led three unsuccessful attempts to establish a colony in America, but in 1583 was lost at sea while returning home.

The following year, Elizabeth granted a patent to his half-brother, Walter Raleigh, transferring Gilbert's rights to a large swathe of land on America's east coast.

Walter Raleigh

Raleigh was a soldier, poet, courtier and adventurer. He charmed Queen Elizabeth I with his good looks, wit and manners, and became one of her favourites during the early 1580s. In addition to his patent for America, Raleigh was granted a wine-trading monopoly in 1583, and appointed Captain of the Queen's Guard in 1586. He used his influence at court to promote a colonial policy that challenged Spain's global domination.

Raleigh and Roanoke Island

After an exploratory voyage in 1584, Raleigh decided that Roanoke Island, off the coast of North Carolina, was the spot to plant a colony. He lobbied vigorously for state funding but to no avail. Queen Elizabeth I did not allow high-risk ventures to be sponsored by the state, offering only royal permissions.

Raleigh’s initial forays into the colonisation of America were funded by private investors. He sponsored a number of attempts to establish an English colony at Roanoke Island, which he named 'Virginia' in honour of Queen Elizabeth ‘the Virgin Queen’ in 1585. The first group of 107 men landed in July 1585, and included artist John White and scientific adviser Thomas Harriot. They were charged with surveying and mapping the new territory and recording the indigenous people, plants and animals found there.

This first attempt at colonisation was abandoned within a year due to harsh weather and insufficient supplies. However, the work of White and Harriot, including maps, drawings and notes, helped to garner interest in the area and further investment for a second expedition.

The lost colony

The next attempt at founding a colony in Virginia was more ambitious. This time, John White was named governor and the group included families, who were also investors in the project. In July 1587 White, joined by around 150 men, women and children, arrived safely in Virginia.

Raleigh had instructed the group to head for the Chesapeake Bay area north of Roanoke Island but, for some reason, the group returned to the previous settlement instead. The birth of the first English child in America, White's granddaughter, Virginia Dare, was recorded on 18 August 1587 in the 'Citie of Ralegh in Virginia'.

On this trip the settlers had arrived too late to plant crops, so White returned to England for more supplies. When he reached home, England was on the brink of war with Spain, which erupted in 1588. All ships and supplies were diverted from the Virginia enterprise to national defence.

As a result, Raleigh and White's relief voyage was delayed until 1590. When White arrived back, he discovered the settlement abandoned with no trace of its inhabitants. The fate of the 'Lost Colony' was never ascertained and remains a source of speculation to this day.

A foundation for the future

The disappearance of the 'Lost Colony' was a hard blow, and the vision of America as a source of instant wealth disappeared with it. The dream to establish a permanent colony in Virginia was not realised until the settlement of Jamestown by the Virginia Company in 1607.

Although these first attempts at colonising America ended in failure, the drive and ambition of Elizabeth's adventurers laid the foundation for the successes that followed.

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Photos of Queen Elizabeth in Jamaica, the Bahamas and Belize Through the Years

Prince William and Kate Middleton are following in the royal footsteps of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip as they tour the Caribbean and Central America

Janine Henni is a Royals Staff Writer for PEOPLE Digital, covering modern monarchies and the world's most famous families. Like Queen Elizabeth, she loves horses and a great tiara moment.

Crowds in Kingston, Jamaica flocked to see the newly crowned Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip during the joint Commonwealth Tour in 1953. The historic trip marked the first time a reigning sovereign visited the island country.

Prince William and Kate Middleton are currently on their own tour of Jamaica, Belize and the Bahamas in celebration of Queen Elizabeth's upcoming Platinum Jubilee. However, protests staged in Belize and planned in Jamaica over colonialism and slavery reparations have added a complicated layer to the couple's visit.

Ahoy, sailors! Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip gave a wave to the crew of a passing navy ship in the Bahamas in 1975.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were seated front and center at the State Opening of Parliament in Nassau, the Bahamas, in 1977. The tour came in celebration of Her Majesty's Silver Jubilee.

The royals smiled at schoolchildren (who then seemed to be around the same age as their youngest, Prince Edward ) who enthusiastically greeted them with a sea of British flags in the Bahamas in 1977.

At attention! The Queen inspected soldiers standing tall before the Jamaican Parliament building in 1983. Her trip to the country celebrated the 21st anniversary of Jamaica's independence.

Belize seemed to agree with the Queen, whose blue dress matched the same shade of her host country's flag. The 1985 visit was her first to the Central American country, which became independent from the British crown four years before.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip seemed pleased to be back in the Bahamas in 1985 for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting.

Who's more excited? Local kids in the Bahamas gave the Queen a wave after she touched down for a visit in 1994.

The royals were all smiles alongside Jamaican Prime Minister Percival Patterson, Governor General Sir Howard Cooke and his wife Ivy at an official dinner at the governor's home in 1994.

The Queen took in a performance by local dancers while visiting Punta Gorda, Belize, in 1994.

The Duke of Edinburgh gave a playful shake to a tin of spices at a garden fair in Jamaica in 2002. The royal tour came in celebration of Her Majesty's Golden Jubilee.

The Queen stopped by two oversize bushels of bananas while touring Montego Bay, Jamaica, in 2002.

A Look Back at Queen Elizabeth II's Visit to Connecticut in 1976

Her majesty's visit to new haven was brief, but memorable, published september 8, 2022 • updated on september 8, 2022 at 4:08 pm.

Queen Elizabeth II, died Thursday at the age of 96 , and the world is mourning the loss and remembering the monarch who reigned for seven decades.

During her world travels, Queen Elizabeth made a brief trip to Connecticut in July 1976 . She visited the United States during the celebration of the bicentennial of the American Revolution and documentation of the visit is maintained by the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum.

On the night of Friday, July 9, 1976, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip, the Duke of Edinburgh, set sail on the HMY Britannia from New York to New Haven .

The couple arrived at City Dock in New Haven at 10 a.m. on Saturday, July 10, and they were at Tweed-New Haven Airport by 10:25 a.m.

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Moments later, they flew from New Haven to Charlottesville, Virginia, according to the itinerary for the trip.

The New York Times website has a story from the Associated Press from July 11, 1976, which says 50,000 people lined the docks, streets and the airport in New Haven for a glimpse of the queen’s 40‐minute visit.

Gov. Ella Grasso and Mayor Frank Logue of New Haven greeted the queen and prince and presented them with gifts.

Queen Elizabeth II: A Royal Life in Pictures

During that trip to the U.S., President Ford and the First Lady hosted a dinner for the queen and prince at the White House on July 7, 1976, and several Connecticut residents were on the guest list for the dinner.

They included:

• Mr. and Mrs. Frederick K. Biebel, of Stratford
• Olympic skater Dorothy Hamill, of Riverside, who was a 1976 Olympic gold medalist in figure skating
• Chalmers Hamill, of Riverside, the brother and guest of Dorothy Hamill
• Mr. and Mrs. Reginald H. Jones, of Fairfield, Connecticut
• Nancy, Lady Keith, New Milford, Connecticut

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