David Charter is Assistant Editor of The Times of London. He is based in Washington, D.C., where he moved with his family in 2018. He was previously The Times correspondent in Berlin, its Europe correspondent in Brussels and its chief political correspondent in London.
70 years on the throne. 13 American presidents. One extraordinary queen.
From the moment she first enchanted the world as a youthful princess, Queen Elizabeth II found a unique place in American hearts—and she also played an unprecedented role in forging transatlantic ties. Over her long reign, she developed extraordinary and varied personal bonds with thirteen U.S. presidents—Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, Carter, Reagan, both Bush Sr. and Jr., Clinton, Obama, Trump and Biden—that other diplomats and leaders could only dream of.
A fascinating, in-depth look at international relations and interpersonal intrigue, Royal Audience peels back the curtain on the “special relationship” between the U.S. and the U.K. as embodied by the late Queen herself—charting Elizabeth II’s distinctive brand of one-to-one diplomacy through the eyes of those who experienced it firsthand. From horse-riding with Ronald Reagan, to sharing her recipe for scones with Dwight D. Eisenhower, to striking up a kinship with the Bushes and the Obamas, the Queen’s interactions with her U.S. counterparts often acted as a restorative tonic for relations between the two nations, even when political tensions ran high. Not all royal encounters with U.S. presidents went smoothly, though. Between Jackie Kennedy’s complaints about Elizabeth and the Queen Mother’s shock at Carter's kiss on the lips, there was never a dull moment.
Throughout the years, Queen Elizabeth II’s sense of duty and purpose remained steadfast, leaving an iconic legacy that is unlikely to be repeated.
The first 200 people at this event will receive a FREE copy of Royal Audience.
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