Sunday, 6 March 2016

Nancy Reagan - the First Lady and Royalty

Nancy Reagan, who has died at the age of 94, was First Lady of the United States for eight years. During her time at the White House she entertained many royals and went on several high profile visits to Europe's kingdoms although perhaps her most famous meetings were with The Queen.


The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, Ronald and Nancy Reagan during the royal visit to the USA in 1983
(photo credit By U.S. Military -Public Domain,via Wiki Commons)

There are many, many memories as the world reflects on the life of the woman born Anne Frances Robbins who became Nancy Davis and went on to become Nancy Reagan, First Lady of the United States of America. Here are just a few highlights of her links to royalty.




Ronald and Nancy Reagan had one of their most famous meetings with royalty in 1982 when they made a three day official visit to the UK and stayed with the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle. The image of President Reagan and the Queen riding together is one of the most famous photos of the decade while this picture, of the banquet held during the visit, is filled with majesty.



Nancy Reagan, as First Lady, went on to welcome the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the USA in 1983 and they famously braved the rain for a photocall at the Reagans' ranch near Santa Barbara.



As First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan attended the wedding of the Prince of Wales and Lady Diana Spencer at St Paul's Cathedral on July 29th 1981.

 

She later welcomed Charles and Diana to the White House during their famous 1985 tour and was the hostess on the night that the Princess of Wales danced with John Travolta at the home of the US President and is seen talking with Prince Charles in the background of one of the best known images of that dance



In 1988, as Ronald Reagan's second term as US President was coming to a close, he and Nancy were back at Buckingham Palace where their warm relationship with the Queen was clear to see.




The following year, Nancy Reagan was back at Buckingham Palace to see her husband presented with an honorary knighthood by the Queen.



When Elizabeth II made a State Visit to the USA in 2007, Nancy Reagan was given pride of place at the table with her and the then President, George W Bush.



During her time in London for Charles and Diana's wedding, Nancy Reagan was photographed with Douglas Fairbanks Jnr and Princess Grace of Monaco at a party in London.
(photo credit: By White House photo office - http://www.reagan.utexas.edu/archives/photographs/large/C3326-14A.jpg, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4532928) 



Nancy Reagan also had the sad duty of representing her husband at the funeral of Princess Grace of Monaco. Mrs Reagan joined hundreds of mourners to pay her tributes at Monaco Cathedral following Grace's death in September 1982.


As First Lady of the United States, Nancy Reagan made many State Visits and hosted plenty of official visitors herself. Some of the first royal visitors she welcomed to the White House included King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain, seen here in 1981



Among the royal trips she made was a 1985 visit to Spain which included a State Banquet.



In the same year, the Reagans welcomed King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden to the White House.



And Nancy Reagan also played host to Beatrix of the Netherlands and her her husband, Prince Claus, on another famous royal visit.

A selection of royal memories linked to former First Lady, Nancy Reagan, who died in March 6th 2016 at the age of 94.


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