Newport and Boston Welcomed Britain's Beloved Queen Elizabeth

Elizabeth II was Queen of the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth realms from February 6, 1952 until she died in 2022. Elizabeth was the ruling monarch for most of my life.

Queen Elizabeth, born Elizabeth Alexandra Mary (Princess Elizabeth of York), on April 21, 1926, was the first child of Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), and his wife, Elizabeth, Duchess of York (later Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother).

Elizabeth II married Phillip Mountbatten, Prince Phillip of Greece and Denmark, (later Duke of Edinburgh) in 1947. They were married for 47 years until he died in 2021.

Get our free mobile app

The Queen's time on the throne was not without personal and political controversy, but Queen Elizabeth II was revered by most of her subjects and admired by millions of Americans.

When Queen Elizabeth II and Price Phillip visited in 1976 to participate in America's Bicentennial Celebration, they were treated like royalty, especially here in New England.

Getty Images

The Queen and Price Phillip landed at T.F. Green Airport in Rhode Island on Saturday, July 10, 1976. A host of dignitaries including Providence Mayor Vincent A. "Buddy" Cianci greeted the Royal Couple.

The Royal Couple visited Trinity Church in Newport and participated in the dedication of Queen Anne Square, a park near the church built in 1723. A plaque remains at the entrance to Trinity Church memorializing Elizabeth's visit.

Later, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip hosted President Gerald Ford and his wife, First Lady Betty Ford, for dinner on the HMS Britannia.

The following day, the Royal Couple arrived in Boston for their final stop on their Bicentennial visit.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were welcomed to Boston with a 21-gun salute from the USS Constitution and were greeted by Massachusetts Governor Michael Dukakis and Boston Mayor Kevin White. The Royal Couple visited Old North Church and other sites in Boston before the Queen delivered remarks from in front of the Old State House.

Boston's not-so-shy Irish-American population turned out to protest the crown's policies concerning Ireland.

Queen Elizabeth died on September 8, 2022. She was 96.

Queen Elizabeth II’s Life in Photos

From her childhood as a princess to her historic Platinum Jubilee, revisit some of the late Queen Elizabeth II's most memorable moments throughout her life.

Gallery Credit: Lauryn Snapp

Queen Elizabeth II's Random Photo Album, The Pics You'll Love

I searched Getty Images for photos of Queen Elizabeth's Coronation, but mostly they have pre-coronation photos available with our subscription, so I widened the net, and here's what you get.

Gallery Credit: James Rabe