June 7: King George VI visits U.S.

On this date in history ... June 7, 1939:

King George VI becomes the first British monarch to visit the U.S. 

FDR’s invitation to the royal couple did not go unnoticed as no reigning British Monarch had ever set foot on American soil, not even in colonial times.  With Europe poised on the brink of war, Franklin Roosevelt realized the necessity of building a closer relationship between the two countries.

In addition to hosting a White House state dinner, the Roosevelts also hosted a picnic style luncheon at their home in Hyde Park (NY) where FDR’s mother was “horrified” that the King and Queen were served hot dogs on the front porch!  

George VI at the picnic at Top Cottage, seated with Sara Delano Roosevelt (FDR's mother, right), New York Governor Herbert Lehman, and Elinor Morgenthau (wife of Treasury Secretary Henry Morgenthau, Jr., left), June 11, 1939, Hyde Park, NY. (FDR Library)