1976 state visit by Elizabeth II to the United States

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State visit by Elizabeth II to the United States
President Gerald R. Ford and First Lady Betty Ford Standing With Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip of Great Britain on the South Portico of the White House Prior to a State Dinner Honoring Her Majesty and Prin(...) - NARA - 12004852.jpg
Date6 to 11 July 1976
Location Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., New York City, New Haven, Charlottesville, Providence, Boston [1] [2]
TypeState visit
Participants Queen Elizabeth II
Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh

From 6 to 11 July 1976, Queen Elizabeth II, made a state visit to the United States with her husband, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, during the celebration of the bicentennial of the American independence. She was received by President Gerald Ford on 7 July 1976. [3] The visit marked the second time she undertook a state visit to the United States as monarch. [4]

Contents

Schedule

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrived in Philadelphia on 6 July 1976 and after carrying out some engagements spent the night abroad the royal yacht HMY Britannia. [1] The arrival ceremony took place on 7 July, after which Queen Elizabeth II presented President Ford with "a soup tureen that featured a painted image of the White House and Independence Hall" which later went on display at the Smithsonian Institution. [4] The President and the First Lady in return presented the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh with a bronze statue by Harry Jackson depicting cowboy Calyton Danks astride the horse Steamboat. [5] The state banquet was held in the Rose Garden in a tent. [4] [6] At the request of the Queen, Bob Hope and Telly Savalas were invited for the entertainment portion of the banquet in the East Room. [6] First Lady Betty Ford described the Queen as "easy to deal with. She was very definite about what she wanted and what she didn't want." [6] On 8 July, the Queen visited the U.S. Capitol and the Smithsonian before hosting a banquet at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C.. [1] [7]

On 9 July, the Queen and the Duke sailed into New York Harbor abroad the royal yacht after carrying out engagements in New York City held a banquet on the royal yacht and subsequently left for New Haven, Connecticut. [1] On 10 July they disembarked at New Haven before flying from Tweed-New Haven Airport to Charlottesville, Virginia. [1] [8] 50,000 people lined the docks, streets and the airport to see the couple during their brief stop in New Haven. [8] They then departed Charlottesville for Newport, Rhode Island, and sailed overnight to Boston. [1] On 11 July they carried out engagements in Boston before departing for Canada. [1] Her visit to Boston was marked by a 21-gun salute, and in the North End she met with Governor Michael Dukakis before having lunch with Mayor Kevin White at City Hall. [9] The Queen and the Duke also greeted the crowds from the balcony of the Old State House. [10] [11]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Queen Elizabeth's visit (July 1976)" (PDF). Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum. p. 4. Archived (PDF) from the original on 24 March 2021. Retrieved 7 November 2020.
  2. ↑ Facts on File World News Digest, 10 July 1976
  3. ↑ "Examples of State Dinners Throughout History". The White House Historical Association. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 "The White House and Queen Elizabeth II". The White House Historical Association. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
  5. ↑ "The President and Mrs. Ford have presented Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness Prince Philip a sculpture by Harry Jackson" (PDF). 7 July 1976. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "Queen Elizabeth II". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library & Museum. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  7. ↑ "Queen Elizabeth Visits the Smithsonian". 8 July 1976. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  8. 1 2 "A Look Back at Queen Elizabeth II's Visit to Connecticut in 1976". NBC. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  9. ↑ "The visit to Boston by Queen Elizabeth II in 1976". Boston 25 News. 8 September 2022. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  10. ↑ Hager, Christina (8 September 2022). "Queen Elizabeth II made history in Boston in 1976". CBS News. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
  11. ↑ Petit, Stephanie (29 November 2022). "See Queen Elizabeth's 1976 Trip to Boston in Honor of Prince William and Kate Middleton's U.S. Visit". People. Retrieved 21 September 2025.
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