The Gerald R. Ford Presidential Digital Library

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the United States in July 1976 as part of the Bicentennial celebrations commemorating the nation’s 200th birthday. They traveled to Philadelphia, Washington, DC, Virginia, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. In Washington, President Gerald Ford and First Lady Betty Ford hosted a state dinner in their honor. Betty Ford later recalled that this state dinner was one of the “most glamorous” during her time at the White House.

Photograph of President Gerald Ford Dancing with Queen Elizabeth II during a State Dinner Held in Her Honor, 7/7/1976 (White House photograph B0570-24)

Photo Gallery related to Queen Elizabeth II

Betty Ford's Description of the State Dinner for the Queen (from her memoir The Times of My Life, pp 224-225)

Royal Gifts from Queen's Visit to the White House

Betty Ford's Gown that She Wore to the Queen's State Dinner

 

Selected Documents Related to the State Dinner on July 7th:

• Letter from Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain to President Gerald R. Ford Accepting an Invitation to Make a State Visit for the American Bicentennial
• Dinner Invitation
• Entertainment Invitation
• Dinner Menu
• Entertainment Program
• Event Outline
• Fact Sheet
• Guest List (Ford Daily Diary)
• Seating Chart
• Exchange of toasts between the President and Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (White House Press Releases)
• Gift from President and Mrs. Ford to Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (East Wing Press Release)
• Reading Copies of Presidential Speeches
  • 7/7/1976 - Remarks Upon Arrival of Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom (Reading Copy of Presidential Speech)
  • 7/7/1976 - Toast at Dinner in Honor of Queen Elizabeth II in the Rose Garde
• Folders from the Betty Ford White House Papers
  • State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (Great Britain) (1)
  • State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (Great Britain) (2) 
  • State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (Great Britain) (3) 
  • State Visit of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip (Great Britain) (4)
• Folder from the John O. Marsh Files
  • Queen Elizabeth’s Visit (July 1976)
• Folders from the Sheila R. Weidenfeld Files
  • State Dinners - 7/8/1976 - Great Britain (1)
  • State Dinners - 7/8/1976 - Great Britain (2)
  • State Dinners - 7/8/1976 - Great Britain (3)
  • State Dinners - 7/8/1976 - Great Britain (4)

 

Additional Archival Materials Queen Elizabeth II:

• White House Social Files
  • 1974 Chrstmas Card from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
  • 1976 Christmas Card from Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip
• Folder from National Security Adviser's Presidential Correspondence with Foreign Leaders
  • United Kingdom - Queen Elizabeth II
• Gerald and Betty Ford Special Materials collection
  • Invitation for Gerald and Betty Ford on the HMS Yacht Britannia in Los Angeles, Febuary 28, 1983
• White House Records Office Legislation Case Files
  • 7/5/76 Senate Joint Resolution (SJR196), Expressing Appreciation to Queen Elizabeth for the Bequest of James Smithson, which was used to Establish the Smithsonian Institution

 

Prepared by Stacy Davis, Elizabeth Druga, Bettina Cousineau, and Mirelle Luecke; September 2022.