Expert: Malcolm Speechley - 8/6/2007

Question
Could you please tell me who was the first king (or queen) of England to visit the United States? Also, the first prime minister of England to visit the United States? Thank you very much. Al Brown

Answer
Hi Al

Apologies for the delay in replying. Since my area of expertise is pre-conquest History I had to do a little research on this to make sure I answered Correctly.

The visits you referred to were relatively recent. The first reigning King of England to Visit the USA was King George VI, in 1937. William IV who became King of England in 1830 was previously stationed in New York Harbour during the course of his naval career in 1825.

Many men who were later to serve as Prime Minister visited the USA. But it was not until 1927 that James Ramsey Macdonald visited the country as a serving Prime Minister in order to discuss with Coolidge, the precarious economic situation that both countries then faced.

Hope this is of use to you

All the best

Malc.