The Queen’s historic reign has seen many moments and meetings that have made history. During her seventy year rule, she has seen fourteen Presidents of the United States and the day she entertained one of them at Buckingham Palace has become a milestone in the story of Elizabeth II.
On June 5th 1961, The Queen and Prince Philip welcomed President John F Kennedy and First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy to dinner. The two most famous couples in the world met at Buckingham Palace with the world’s media watching.
(Public Domain, Wiki Commons)
Jacqueline Kennedy was the toast of Europe at the time. As she whizzed around the continent, just months after her husband’s inauguration, her style and charm won her a legion of fans. Just days before her date at Buckingham Palace, JFK had famously remarked that ”I am the man who accompanied Jacqueline Kennedy to Paris, and I have enjoyed it.”
The dinner date would prove to be one of the most talked about of The Queen’s reign and not just because it was brought to life, with some dramatic licence, by The Crown years later. Even before the Kennedys arrived at the Palace there had been controversy as Mrs Kennedy wanted her sister, Princess Lee Radziwell, at the meal along with her husband, Prince Stanislaw Radziwill. Both had been divorced, unacceptable at court at the time, but Jackie won the day. However, she would later complain that The Queen had dropped Princess Margaret and Princess Marina from the guest list, leaving it less than interesting to her.
This was no State Banquet but rather a formal gathering to honour the new US President and First Lady. There is every indication that a full State Visit by JFK and Jackie would follow. President Kennedy’s assassination, in November 1963, meant it never happened. The Queen would go on to welcome his widow to Runnymede as they unveiled a memorial to the President.
