American presidents have been visiting Britain to meet the Royal Family for over a century, with notable interactions marking key moments in history. Woodrow Wilson was the first sitting US president to visit in 1918, while King George VI made history by traveling to the US to meet Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1939. Subsequent presidents, including Harry Truman, Dwight D. Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, and Ronald Reagan, had memorable meetings with Queen Elizabeth II and other royals, often marked by state banquets, informal moments, and symbolic gestures such as Reagan and the Queen horseback riding at Windsor Castle.
More recent visits have reflected evolving diplomatic and social contexts. George W. Bush’s 2003 visit faced large protests, yet the special relationship endured with reciprocal visits. Barack Obama’s visits were notable for breaking royal protocol with a hug from Michelle Obama. Donald Trump met King Charles twice, with his visits marked by protests and controversy but also praise for the Queen. Joe Biden’s 2021 visit was historic as the Queen’s first solo meeting with a head of state following Prince Philip’s death and the resumption of royal duties post-pandemic. These visits underscore the enduring, sometimes complex, ties between the US presidency and the British monarchy.
