Q: Nathan P. Graf - Arizona, USA
Out of curiosity, who was the very first British Sovereign to visit the American President at the White House in Washington, USA? Also, how many times and when exactly has The Queen visited the White House for a State visit?
King George VI with Queen Elizabeth (later The Queen Mother) was the first British monarch to set foot in North America. They landed at Wolfe's Cove in Quebec on 17 May 1939. The King and Queen were on a state visit to Canada and the United States.
The Royal couple arrived at Washington Union Station on 8 June 1939 and were met by President Roosevelt and Mrs Roosevelt. They drove in an open carriage through the streets of the capital to the White House, where they stayed. Later they visited New York and stayed with the President and his wife at the Roosevelt family home, Hyde Park.
The Queen has been to the United States on several State visits. From 31 October to 2 November 1951, as Princess Elizabeth, Her Majesty visited the United States with The Duke of Edinburgh and stayed as a guest of President Truman.
As Queen, three State visits have been paid to the United States: in 1957 (17-21 October, as a guest of President Eisenhower), 1976 (6-11 July, as a guest of President Ford), and 1991 (14-22 May, as a guest of President George Bush Senior). The White House would have been visited on each of these occasions.
The Queen has also paid a number of official and private visits to the USA.
Q: Phillip Hamilton - Memphis, USA
I am interested in knowing the dates for the opening of Frogmore Mausoleum, House and Gardens for 2003. Is the Royal burial ground ever open to the public?
In 2003, Frogmore House, Gardens and Mausoleum are open to the public from 20 to 22 May, and from 23 to 25 August. The Mausoleum only is open on 28 May.
In addition, Frogmore House, Gardens and Mausoleum are open for groups of 15 or more, booking in advance, on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 5 August and 25 September 2003.
For more information, ring the Visitor Information Office on 020 7321 2233.
The Royal burial ground is not open to the public.
Q: June Schutrups - Southampton, UK
A Canadian friend of mine states that her grandfather, Charles Moon, had George V to stay at his ranch in Chilcotin, British Columbia in either 1911 or 1914. How can we find out if this is correct?
King George V did not travel to Canada during his reign, which began in 1910. The first reigning monarch to visit Canada was King George VI.
Q: David Horsley - Huddersfield, UK
If someone was knighted in one order, for example, receiving a KBE, and was later appointed KCB, would he receive the accolade for a second time or would he merely be presented with the second set of insignia?
A person only receives the accolade once, so you are quite correct in your second statement. He or she would come to another Investiture, probably at Buckingham Palace, and would have the insignia presented to them by The Queen or The Prince of Wales.
Q: Alexander Falk - Germany
Can you give me some information about Princess Marina, Duchess of Kent? Where did she live in London and where is she buried?
Princess Marina was born in Athens on 13 December 1906. She was the youngest daughter of Prince and Princess Nicholas of Greece and a first cousin of Prince Philip. When the family were forced into exile, they settled in Paris.
On 29 November 1934, Princess Marina married Prince George, Duke of Kent, the fifth child of King George V, in Westminster Abbey. The couple lived at 3 Belgrave Square in London, but they also had another home in Buckinghamshire.
Prince George, Duke of Kent was tragically killed in a flying accident in 1942 while on active service. After his death, Princess Marina took on many of his duties, such as the presidencies of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and the All-England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.
When Edward, Duke of Kent (Princess Marina's eldest son) married in 1961, Princess Marina moved into Kensington Palace. She died in August 1968 and is buried beside her husband in the Frogmore Royal Burial Ground near Windsor.
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