Queen Elizabeth evaded a distressing visitor during an uncomfortable state visit by concealing herself behind a bush, as per an expert's account.
In the grand tapestry of British royal history, state visits have often provided a stage for both tradition and unconventional moments. Here's a journey through some of the most memorable instances.
For the first time in history, a U.S. president was invited for two state visits by a British monarch. President Donald Trump and his wife, Melania, paid a state visit to the U.K. from Sept. 17-19, 2025, during his second term. An earlier visit was made in 2019 during his first administration, where he was hosted by Queen Elizabeth II.
During a state visit in 2009, Michelle Obama put her arm around the late queen, a gesture that was a departure from the usual protocol but warmly received.
The royal family's website states that foreign monarchs, presidents, or prime ministers are invited to visit based on cultural, diplomatic, or economic ties to the visiting country.
One state visit that didn't go as smoothly was that of Zaire's President Mobutu Sese Seko in 1973. His wife, Marie-Antoinette, caused a stir when she smuggled her dog in her luggage. The Queen later ordered the dog to be removed, and her corgis were quarantined.
In another instance, during a state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 1977, President Jimmy Carter was reported to have deeply embarrassed the Queen Mother with excessive familiarity by kissing her on the lips. However, President Carter denied this claim, stating it was a friendly greeting.
Queen Elizabeth II once hid behind a bush during a state visit to avoid speaking with Romanian dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu and his wife, Elena, in 1978. This disapproval of the state visit was made clear to the British government.
In more recent times, French President Emmanuel Macron made headlines for his courteous gestures during a state banquet at Windsor Castle. He was spotted politely helping to pull out Kate Middleton's chair and waiting for her to sit before taking his own seat. During the same banquet, cameras captured Emmanuel Macron winking at the Princess of Wales, which went viral on social media.
In her memoir published in 2018, former U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama described a candid moment during a state visit in the 1980s when she and the queen were bonding over the painful shoes they were wearing that day.
A documentary titled "The Cowboy and the Queen" chronicles the friendship between horse trainer Monty Roberts and the late Queen Elizabeth II, offering a different perspective on state visits.
King Charles III hosted President Trump and Melania during their state visit, marking another chapter in the long-standing relationship between the U.S. and the British monarchy.
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