The REAL special relationship: How Queen Elizabeth has met, entertained and wowed 12 U.S. presidents from Eisenhower to Obama and now prepares for Donald Trump and Melania to be her latest guests of honor for the second time
- Queen Elizabeth has entertained 12 U.S. presidents since she ascended to the throne 68 years ago
- During that time, the Queen has traveled to the U.S. and welcomed a number of presidents to her home in Buckingham Palace
- She has danced with Gerald Ford at the White House and ridden horses with Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle
- Now, Queen Elizabeth prepares to host President Donald Trump on Monday for the second time during his presidency
Queen Elizabeth has entertained and wowed a total of 12 U.S. presidents since she ascended to the throne 68 years ago.
During that time, the Queen – who is the longest reigning monarch at 93 years of age – has traveled to the U.S. and welcomed a number of presidents to her home in Buckingham Palace.
She has danced with Gerald Ford at the White House, ridden horses with Ronald Reagan at Windsor Castle and witnessed her first Major League Baseball game with George H.W. Bush.
In her reign, the Queen has met all but one American leader. She never crossed paths with Lyndon B Johnson, who took over in 1963 following John F. Kennedy’s assassination.
As Queen Elizabeth prepares to host President Donald Trump on Monday for the second time during his presidency, here is a look at her encounters with his predecessors.
As Queen Elizabeth prepares to host President Donald Trump on Monday for the second time during his presidency, here is a look at her encounters with his predecessors
Harry S. Truman
In 1951, a 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth – unknowingly three months away from becoming Queen – traveled to Washington to meet with President Harry S. Truman.
He was still in the Oval Office when she acceded to the throne.
It was her first visit to America and she interrupted a tour of Canada to visit.
Harry S. Truman: In 1951, a 25-year-old Princess Elizabeth – unknowingly three months away from becoming Queen – traveled to Washington to meet with President Harry S. Truman
Dwight D. Eisenhower
During her first state visit to America in 1957, now a Queen, she met Dwight D. Eisenhower. During that visit, Queen Elizabeth paid her first visit to a supermarket in Virginia and watched her first American college football game.
The Queen was said to have had an affectionate relationship with Eisenhower who was even invited to stay at the Queen’s Scottish hideaway Balmoral Castle two years after they first met.
They met again in Canada in 1959 and traveled on the Royal Yacht Britannia together.
Dwight D. Eisenhower: During her first state visit to America in 1957, now a Queen, she met Dwight D. Eisenhower in Washington D.C.
John F. Kennedy
The glamorous John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie dined with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in June 1961 soon after his inauguration.
The Kennedys attended a lavish state dinner at the palace.
Following his assassination, the Queen created a scholarship fund in his honor and also created a physical memorial.
John F. Kennedy: The glamorous John F. Kennedy and his wife Jackie dined with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in June 1961 soon after his inauguration
Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon visited Queen Elizabeth at Buckingham Balance in February 1969 during an informal visit.
Queen Elizabeth had first met him in Washington when he was vice president to Eisenhower.
The Queen also met Nixon at Chequers – the official country residence of the British prime minister – in October 1970. She was photographed with him outside the residence.
Richard Nixon: Britain’s Prime Minister Edward Heath, Queen Elizabeth, U.S. President Richard Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon meet in 1970
Gerald Ford
In 1976, during the U.S. bicentennial, the Queen met Gerald Ford in Washington D.C.
During a state dinner ball at the White House, the Queen and Ford were pictured dancing together.
Gerald Ford: In 1976, during the U.S. bicentennial, the Queen met Gerald Ford in Washington D.C and the pair were pictured dancing together during a ball
Jimmy Carter
A year later, Queen Elizabeth was pictured in a billowing, wide-sleeved yellow gown alongside Jimmy Carter, in a black tie and tuxedo, when he came to London.
She hosted him at Buckingham Palace for dinner with other heads of states who were visiting a NATO summit.
He famously broke protocol during the 1977 visit by giving her a kiss.
Jimmy Carter: Queen Elizabeth was pictured in a billowing, wide-sleeved yellow gown in 1997 alongside Jimmy Carter (third from left), in a black tie and tuxedo, when he came to London
Ronald Reagan
Ronald and Nancy Reagan stayed at the Queen’s favorite home Windsor Castle in 1982.
The monarch and the former film star shared a bond through their love of horses and rode side by side in Windsor Great Park. The pair were pictured looking relaxed and informal in jodhpurs and riding boots. The Queen also dressed down in her headscarf.
The Queen also met Reagan during an official visit to San Francisco in 1983.
Ronald Reagan: Ronald and Nancy Reagan stayed at the Queen’s favorite home Windsor Castle in 1982. The monarch and the former film star shared a bond through their love of horses and rode side by side in Windsor Great Park
U.S. President Ronald Reagan and first lady Nancy Reagan greet Britain’s Queen Elizabeth upon arrival for lunch at Rancho Del Cielo, the Reagans’ vacation home in Santa Barbara, California, in 1983
George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush had lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1989 and she visited him in the U.S. in 1991 during which he took her to her first Major League Baseball game.
That trip to Washington led to ‘Podiumgate’. It occurred when she was delivering an address on the White House lawn, but all that could be seen of her above the lectern was her hat.
George H.W. Bush and his wife Barbara had lunch with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 1989 and she visited him in the U.S. in 1991 during which he took her to her first Major League Baseball game
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary met the Queen several times during his presidency.
He first met Queen Elizabeth in 1994 in Portsmouth, England.
Six years later, Clinton returned to the U.K. with his wife and their daughter Chelsea to visit Buckingham Palace.
Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary took their daughter Chelsea to meet the Queen at Buckingham Palace in 2000
George W. Bush
George W. Bush visited Buckingham Palace in July 2001.
Two years later in November 2003, Bush paid an official state visit and the Queen gave him a wide smile as they shook hands at her London residence.
When the Queen encountered Bush again in Washington D.C. in 2007, the president winked at her after making a gaffe.
At a welcome ceremony on the south lawn of the White House, he mixed up his dates in a speech – almost ageing the Queen by 200 years.
Turning to the Queen and winking, he joked to his audience: “She gave me a look that only a mother could give a child.”
Bush and Reagan were both received by the Queen at Windsor Castle in 2008.
George W. Bush: In November 2003, Bush paid an official state visit and the Queen gave him a wide smile as they shook hands at her London residence
Barack Obama
The Queen’s relationship with the Barack Obama was a warm and friendly one during his presidency.
They hit it off after a reception ahead of the G20 summit in 2009. The Queen and First Lady Michelle Obama acted like old friends when they put their arms around each other at the end of the event.
A successful state visit to the U.K. followed in 2011 and the Obamas forged a strong bond with Queen and her wider family – particularly Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
The Queen’s relationship with the Barack Obama was a warm and friendly one during his presidency. They are pictured in 2011 following a successful state visit to the U.K.
A successful state visit to the U.K. followed in 2011 and the Obamas forged a strong bond with Queen and her wider family – particularly Prince Harry and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge
Donald Trump
The Queen welcomed Donald Trump and his wife Melania to Windsor Castle last July.
The pair inspected a Guard of Honour together before watching a military march past. They then had a private tea with the Queen in the castle.
Trump is scheduled to meet with the Queen again on Monday during a three day visit.
The Queen welcomed Donald Trump and his wife Melania to Windsor Castle last July
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