The royal family has been visiting the United States for over 80 years, touching lives in states across the nation along the way. While official tours—and even impromptu visits—come with a variety of important duties, they also typically allow for public moments of downtime and celebrity-filled fun. From King George VI and the future Queen Mother’s first hot dog to Prince Charles’ date with Tricia Nixon, these photos show how many memories were made in the United States. As Prince William and Kate Middleton prepare to visit Boston in December 2022, there’s no better time to look back at the best royal visits to the US throughout history.
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King George VI and the Queen Mother-to-be were the first British royals to travel to the U.S. in 1939. Here, President Franklin D. Roosevelt and the royal family meander down the streets of New York en route to the Commander-in-Chief’s Retreat Cottage.
The King and Queen sail aboard the presidential yacht to Mount Vernon, New York. During a picnic with the President and First Lady, they both tried a hot dog for the first time!
Here, King George VI and the future Queen Mother stand on the steps of the Capitol with senators from around the country.
The then-Princess Elizabeth made her first trip to the United States in 1951, where she met with President Harry Truman. “Whenever someone gets to know you,” he told her at the time, “they immediately fall in love.”
Queen Elizabeth returned six years later for her first state visit as monarch. She seemed to be enjoying her first and only Maryland football game, where she asked, “Where do you get all these big players?”
The Queen and Prince Philip tour one of the ships on the pier at Jamestown Festival Park during a stop in Virginia.
On a state visit in 1959, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip drive an electric car through the Chicago International Trade Fair.
Princess Margaret and her husband Antony Armstrong-Jones ride one of San Francisco’s famous cable cars on their trip to sunny California in November 1965.
Margaret overlooks the landscape from the top of the city’s iconic Coyote Tower.
During a stopover in Hollywood, the royals visit Alfred Hitchcock on the set of his film A torn curtain.
Princess Margaret and Lord Snowdon take riding lessons at the Arizona ranch of former US ambassador to Britain, Lewis Douglas.
The couple stops in Washington DC. Towards the end of their trip to catch sights like the Lincoln Memorial.
During his first visit to the United States as the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles indulges President Richard Nixon’s daughter, Trisha, at a baseball game. “It was pretty entertaining, I have to say,” he later told CNN of the trip. “That was the time they tried to marry me off to Trisha Nixon.”
Princess Anne joins her brother on the White House balcony, alongside President Richard Nixon and First Lady Pat Nixon.
Queen Elizabeth dances with President Gerald Ford at a White House dinner during her visit to the East Coast in 1976.
Queen Elizabeth jumps next to Philadelphia’s famous Liberty Bell.
The monarch waves to onlookers as she passes the iconic Bloomingdale’s flagship store in New York.
Prince Charles returned to America in 1977, where he toured the McDonnell Douglas factory in St. Louis. Here, founder James S. McDonnell displays an F-15 Eagle fighter jet.
The future king makes a stop in California, where he visits the set of crush. The actors, including Alan Alda, share a laugh with royalty over an inflated surgical glove.
Prince Charles continues to mingle with Hollywood stars – such as Farrah Fawcett and Lee Majors – at a dinner held in his honor at the Beverly Hilton Hotel.
While in Downey, California, Queen Elizabeth gets to tour both Apollo 14 and Space Shuttle models at the Rockwell International Space Facility.
Prince Charles and Princess Diana talk with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan inside the West Room of the White House.
At a Cross Hall dinner in the White House, Princess Diana shares a now famous dance with John Travolta. First Lady Nancy Reagan actually helped the two meet. “Oh, yes you can,” Reagan told Travolta as he expressed that he “can’t” ask Royal to dance.
During a polo match in Palm Beach, Florida, Princess Diana hands out prizes to female participants – including her husband.
Four years later, Princess Dee made her first official trip abroad without Prince Charles. After arriving in New York City, she visits the Henry Street Settlement on the Lower East Side, an organization that provides resources and services to residents in need.
In what eventually became known as “The Talking Hat,” Queen Elizabeth presents President George W. Bush with the Winston Churchill Award from behind a podium that was too tall for her 5’4 frame.
The monarch humored Congress two days later by laughing, “I hope you can see me today.”
Shortly after her divorce, Lady D traveled back to the United States for a fundraiser for the Nina Hyde Center for Breast Cancer Research. You see her laughing with her Washington Post Owner Kathryn Graham, fashion Editor Anna Wintour, designer Ralph Lauren, and Georgetown University President Leo J. O’Donovan.
Here, Diana visits what is now known as the John H. Hospital. Stroger Jr. of Cook County in Chicago.
A few months later, Diana returns to the Big Apple for the Matte Gala, wearing this iconic Versace dress and statement jewelry.
Prince Edward receives the Bette Davis Special Achievement Award at Boston University for his work in documentary film.
Princess Anne is shown a collection of historic seeds to celebrate the opening of Manhattan’s British Royal Garden.
Queen Elizabeth eagerly points out something to Prince Philip while watching the Kentucky Derby. With her love for both fashionable hats and horses, she fit right in at the event.
The Duchess of Cornwall gets a close look at the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia that year.
A whopping 53 years after her first speech at the United Nations, Queen Elizabeth returns in 2010 in New York. “I hope that when judged by future generations, our honesty, our willingness to lead and our determination to do the right thing will stand the test of time,” she said. Then.
Later that day, the king lays a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center. It was the first time she had visited Ground Zero since the September 11 terrorist attacks nine years earlier.
Prince William and Kate Middleton are making their own trip the following year. Here they are giggling at a painting class held at Inner City Arts in Los Angeles.
The newlyweds share a kiss following William’s participation in the Foundation’s Polo Challenge in Santa Barbara.
While attending the BAFTA Brits to Watch event, they mingle with stars like Jennifer Lopez.
William and Kate shake hands with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton during a reception in New York.
While in town, the couple stops at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to attend a basketball game. They were seen sharing popcorn…
appearing on the jumbotron…
Talking about it with Jay-Z and Beyoncé…
And even get some gifts from LeBron James!
Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall speak with President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden in the Oval Office at the White House.
Meghan Markle cheers on close friend Serena Williams at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Queens, New York. She sits with the tennis star’s family and friends, such as Venus Williams and Anna Wintour.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle share an intimate moment before he delivers a keynote address to the United Nations in New York.
lifestyle editor
Janaya is a lifestyle editor for Hearst Magazines.
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