Dinner is Served

A Behind-the-Scenes Look at a State Dinner

Queen Elizabeth II smiling and dancing with Gerald Ford (Gerald R. Ford Library/White House/Ricardo Thomas/AP)

President Gerald Ford and Queen Elizabeth II dance during a state dinner in honor of the queen and Prince Philip July 17, 1976. (Gerald R. Ford Library/White House/Ricardo Thomas/AP)

President Gerald Ford and Queen Elizabeth II dance during a state dinner in honor of the queen and Prince Philip July 17, 1976. (Gerald R. Ford Library/White House/Ricardo Thomas/AP)

Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom

Queen Elizabeth II, George H.W. Bush, others at dinner table (White House)

President George H.W. Bush speaks to Queen Elizabeth II at a state dinner while British-born actress Angela Lansbury and others listen. (White House/White House Historical Association)

President George H.W. Bush speaks to Queen Elizabeth II at a state dinner while British-born actress Angela Lansbury and others listen. (White House/White House Historical Association)

Bring your sense of fun. The queen attended state dinners hosted by no fewer than five presidents. Her own dry humor was on display at the San Francisco state dinner she had with the Reagans. She and Prince Philip had arrived during torrential rain, prompting her to quip, “I knew before we came that we had exported many of our traditions to the United States. I had not realized that the weather was one of them.” Reagan roared with laughter.

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