Presidents and Monarchs: Queen Elizabeth II's 1983 Visit with the Reagans
Queen Elizabeth II made her first visit to California in February and March of 1983. She and Prince Phillip embarked on a 10-day tour of the West Coast. While a successful visit for the most part, the tour did not go as expected, as some inclement and unexpected rainy weather in the normally dry region caused an alteration in the Queen's plans. Queen Elizabeth II had planned on sailing into Santa Barbara, California on Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia where she expected to meet up with President Reagan and Nancy Reagan before heading up to Rancho Del Cielo for lunch and a horseback ride around the property. A severe storm changed those plans. The storm dumped more than three times the normal amount of rain to the area, causing several last-minute changes to their meeting.
The storm unleashed its fury on Santa Barbara, California and along the southern California coastline. According to contemporary news agencies, waves in that area of the Pacific Ocean were over 30 feet. Instead of sailing into the Santa Barbara harbor, instead Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip decided that it was safer to take a U.S. Air Force plane from Long Beach to Goleta where the royal couple were met by President and Nancy Reagan. A reception was held inside of a hanger, while the storm raged outside. No statements were given for the media or for the crowd of well-wishers outside, there was somewhat of a ceremony as a row of howitzers performed a 21-gun salute and the Air Force band playing ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’
The group left the airport in two separate limousines and headed up to the Reagans’ Santa Barbara home, Rancho Del Cielo. What should have been an easy ride to the Reagan ranch was made more difficult because of the heavy rains. The El Nino storm had made driving conditions difficult for rear-wheel drive vehicles attempting to traverse the incline on the road leading up to the ranch. The group had to switch from limousines to four-wheel drive SUVs. The storm's flood conditions made some of the roads impassable and created other hazards along the way. Several trees and rocks had been uprooted along the road. Ever the trooper, the Queen seemed to enjoy the change and described the trip to her press secretary as “delightful and terribly exciting.” Attired for the weather, the Queen and Prince Philip wore traditional English khaki raincoats, Mrs. Reagan had on a red raincoat, and President Reagan wore a denim jacket.
Once inside out of the rain, Queen Elizabeth II delivered remarks thanking the Americans for their support for Britain in the Falklands War that was taking place at the time. After the remarks from the two world leaders, the group settled down for lunch: Mexican food, The menu featured enchiladas, chiles rellenos, refried beans, tacos, rice, and guacamole. After the meal, the group warmed themselves sitting around a large fire. The two world leaders would eventually ride horses together, but not on this trip. The weather canceled any chance of that, and the horseback riding would have to wait for another day.
On March 3rd, 1983, President Reagan hosted a dinner in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It was held at the M. H. de Young Museum in San Francisco. The Queen wore a beaded ivory gown and Mrs. Reagan a teal blue green gown. During her speech at the dinner, Queen Elizabeth II, famous for her deadpan humor, stated, “I knew before we came that we had exported many of our traditions to the United States, I had not realized before that weather was one of them."
In honor of Reagan's 31st wedding anniversary, the President and First Lady met up with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on March 4th for a dinner that was held on Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia. Ronald Reagan described the event in his daily diary, “It was a magic evening. The Queen & His Highness are really warm, likable people. Others came aboard after dinner for a reception & we spent the night on board.”
Ever the good guest, the Queen left the Reagans a lovely thankyou note:
The storm unleashed its fury on Santa Barbara, California and along the southern California coastline. According to contemporary news agencies, waves in that area of the Pacific Ocean were over 30 feet. Instead of sailing into the Santa Barbara harbor, instead Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip decided that it was safer to take a U.S. Air Force plane from Long Beach to Goleta where the royal couple were met by President and Nancy Reagan. A reception was held inside of a hanger, while the storm raged outside. No statements were given for the media or for the crowd of well-wishers outside, there was somewhat of a ceremony as a row of howitzers performed a 21-gun salute and the Air Force band playing ‘God Save the Queen’ and ‘The Star-Spangled Banner.’
The group left the airport in two separate limousines and headed up to the Reagans’ Santa Barbara home, Rancho Del Cielo. What should have been an easy ride to the Reagan ranch was made more difficult because of the heavy rains. The El Nino storm had made driving conditions difficult for rear-wheel drive vehicles attempting to traverse the incline on the road leading up to the ranch. The group had to switch from limousines to four-wheel drive SUVs. The storm's flood conditions made some of the roads impassable and created other hazards along the way. Several trees and rocks had been uprooted along the road. Ever the trooper, the Queen seemed to enjoy the change and described the trip to her press secretary as “delightful and terribly exciting.” Attired for the weather, the Queen and Prince Philip wore traditional English khaki raincoats, Mrs. Reagan had on a red raincoat, and President Reagan wore a denim jacket.
Once inside out of the rain, Queen Elizabeth II delivered remarks thanking the Americans for their support for Britain in the Falklands War that was taking place at the time. After the remarks from the two world leaders, the group settled down for lunch: Mexican food, The menu featured enchiladas, chiles rellenos, refried beans, tacos, rice, and guacamole. After the meal, the group warmed themselves sitting around a large fire. The two world leaders would eventually ride horses together, but not on this trip. The weather canceled any chance of that, and the horseback riding would have to wait for another day.
On March 3rd, 1983, President Reagan hosted a dinner in honor of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip. It was held at the M. H. de Young Museum in San Francisco. The Queen wore a beaded ivory gown and Mrs. Reagan a teal blue green gown. During her speech at the dinner, Queen Elizabeth II, famous for her deadpan humor, stated, “I knew before we came that we had exported many of our traditions to the United States, I had not realized before that weather was one of them."
In honor of Reagan's 31st wedding anniversary, the President and First Lady met up with Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on March 4th for a dinner that was held on Her Majesty’s Yacht Britannia. Ronald Reagan described the event in his daily diary, “It was a magic evening. The Queen & His Highness are really warm, likable people. Others came aboard after dinner for a reception & we spent the night on board.”
Ever the good guest, the Queen left the Reagans a lovely thankyou note: