The Queen has had a good relationship with several world leaders, and that includes late US President Ronald Reagan.
The pair were known to share a close friendship, and they shared a love of horseback riding.
In 1983, The Queen and Prince Philip travelled to California to visit the Reagans at their ranch in Santa Barbara. President Reagan invited The Queen to his ranch while visiting Windsor Castle in 1982.
The Queen arrived in Santa Barbara during a storm and had to travel to his ranch that sat 2,400 feet up in the mountains. Due to the storm, the ride was said to be hazardous for The Queen and President as some of the roads were impassable. However, Her Majesty’s Press Secretary later said: “She found the trip delightful and terribly exciting.”
During the trip, The Queen thanked Reagan and the American people for their support during the war in the Falklands: “The support of your government and the American people touched us deeply and demonstrated to the world that our close relationship is based on our shared commitment to the same values.”
During a dinner in San Francisco, The Queen gave a toast and spoke about her visit to the ranch: “Mr President, thank you for the very kind things you have said tonight. It is only nine months since we had the great pleasure of having you and Mrs Reagan stay with us at Windsor. Now, we have had the memorable experience of visiting you in your home State of California and of seeing your ranch at Santa Barbara.
“I knew before we came that we had exported many of our traditions to the United States. But I had not realized before that weather was one of them. But, Mr President, if the climate has been cool, your welcome and that of the American people have been wonderfully warm. We are very grateful for your charming hospitality and for the generous reception we have had everywhere since our arrival in California last week.”
There is also a marker in Santa Barbara to honour The Queen’s visit to the county and President Reagan’s ranch at the local courthouse, saying: “In commemoration of the historic meeting in Santa Barbara of the reigning monarch of the United Kingdom, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and His Royal Highness the Prince, Philip, Duke of Edinburgh with the President of the United States, Ronald W. Reagan on March 1, 1983.”
The Queen even bestowed President Reagan with an honorary knighthood in 1989. He was given the Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath – the highest British honour that can be given to foreigners. It was given for Reagan’s help to the UK during the Falklands War.
