Queen Elizabeth II and the relationships she had with the 14 American Presidents during her reign

Queen Elizabeth II and the relationships she had with the 14 American Presidents during her reign
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Aden-Jay Wood

By Aden-Jay Wood


Published: 09/09/2022

- 21:23

Updated: 09/09/2022

- 22:52

Queen Elizabeth II met all but one US President in power during her 70 years of reign

There were 14 American Presidents in power during Queen Elizabeth II's reign – and she met all except one.

Lyndon B Johnson, who took office in 1963 following John F Kennedy’s assassination, never crossed paths with Queen Elizabeth II.


The monarch played a pivotal role over the decades in the UK’s relationship with the leaders of one of its closest allies.

She went riding with Ronald Reagan, developed a warm friendship with the Obamas and shared “automatic chemistry” with Donald Trump, according to Mr Trump himself.

Here's a look at the relationships Queen Elizabeth II had with each President.

File photo dated 05/06/2019 of Queen Elizabeth II and US President Donald Trump during the commemorations for the 75th Anniversary of the D-Day landings at Southsea Common in Portsmouth. The Queen died peacefully at Balmoral this afternoon, Buckingham Palace has announced. Issue date: Thursday September 8, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II and Donald Trump
Andrew Matthews

– Harry S Truman

In 1951, a young Princess Elizabeth – unknowingly three months away from becoming queen – travelled to Washington and saw President Harry S Truman, who was still in the Oval Office when she acceded to the throne.

– Dwight D Eisenhower

During her first state visit to the US in 1957, Queen Elizabeth II met Dwight D Eisenhower, and the two heads of state met again two years later in Canada.

Queen Elizabeth II was said to have had an affectionate relationship with Mr Eisenhower, who was even invited to stay at Balmoral.

– John F Kennedy

The glamorous President and his wife Jackie dined with Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh at Buckingham Palace in June 1961.

– Lyndon B Johnson

Mr Johnson took over after Mr Kennedy’s assassination in 1963.

He was President until 1969 but Queen Elizabeth II never met him, and he died in 1973.

– Richard Nixon

Richard Nixon dined with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in February 1969.

Queen Elizabeth II also met him at Chequers in October 1970 and was photographed with him outside the Prime Minister’s official country residence.

– Gerald Ford

In 1976, during the US bicentennial, Queen Elizabeth II met Gerald Ford in the US.

– Jimmy Carter

In 1977, Queen Elizabeth II was pictured in a billowing, wide-sleeved yellow gown alongside Jimmy Carter, in a black tie and tuxedo, when he came to London.

– Ronald Reagan

Ronald and Nancy Reagan stayed at Queen Elizabeth II's favourite home, Windsor Castle, in 1982.

The two heads of state shared a love of horses and were famously pictured riding side by side in Windsor Great Park.

She also met Mr Reagan during an official visit to the west coast of the US in 1983.

– George Bush Snr

George Bush Snr had lunch with Queen Elizabeth II at Buckingham Palace in 1989.

She also visited him in the US in 1991 – the trip that led to “Podiumgate” – when all that could be seen of the Queen above the lectern, when she was delivering an address on the White House lawn, was her hat.

She also met his son, future President George W Bush, and was struck by his cowboy boots, inscribed with the words God Save the Queen, and asked him whether he was the “black sheep of the family”.

Mr Bush Junior admitted he was, with Queen Elizabeth II remarking “all families have them”, leading him to quip “Who’s yours?”.

First Lady Barbara Bush intervened, urging Queen Elizabeth II not to respond.

Queen Elizabeth II
Queen Elizabeth II
Kirsty O'Connor

– Bill Clinton

Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary met Queen Elizabeth II several times, including in December 2000 when, with their daughter Chelsea, they dropped in at the palace.

– George W Bush

George W Bush met Queen Elizabeth II a number of times during his period in office, first travelling to the palace in July 2001 and two years later paying an official state visit to the UK, the first by a US leader.

When he welcomed her to the White House during a 2007 visit, the President winked at Queen Elizabeth II after making a gaffe – adding 200 years to her age after mixing up his dates in a speech.

– Barack Obama

Queen Elizabeth II's relationship with Barack and Michelle Obama was a warm and friendly one that even saw her and the first lady put their arms around each other like old friends after a reception ahead of the G20 summit in 2009.

A successful state visit to the UK followed in 2011 and the Obamas forged a strong bond with Queen Elizabeth II and her wider family – particularly the Duke of Sussex, and the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

– Donald Trump

Donald Trump and his wife Melania were hosted by Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor Castle during a 2018 visit to the UK.

He returned for a state visit the following year and was joined by members of his family, and met senior members of the Royal Family during the three-day visit.

Afterwards, Mr Trump called Queen Elizabeth II a “spectacular woman”, adding: “I really got to know her because I sat with her many times and we had automatic chemistry, you will understand that feeling.”

They also met during the commemorations for the 75th anniversary of the D-Day landings, in Portsmouth.

– Joe Biden

President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden had tea with Queen Elizabeth II at Windsor in June 2021, having also met her a few days earlier at the G7 summit in Cornwall.

Mr Biden praised Queen Elizabeth II's generosity and said she reminded him of his mother.

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