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How an American President was honored during World War II
Franklin Delano Roosevelt is revered in America as the president who led us through to victory in World War II. His rhetoric certainly built morale amongst the nation and inspired Americans to take up the fight. However, his friendship with European allies was fondly remembered and honored, especially by the royals who he helped during the darkest days of the war.
Before America entered the war, the European royals were already facing the threat of Hitler. President Roosevelt used his country’s position of neutrality to extend invitations to European royals who were being threatened by the Axis’ growing power. In 1939, President Roosevelt invited King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom to visit.
The visit of the British King and Queen was certainly a novelty. No British royal had ever visited America, likely due to strained ties stemming from the American Revolution. However, President Roosevelt made sure that this visit would improve the relations between the two countries. He worked hard to make an impression on his royal guests, inviting them to his Hyde Park home to make the visit more relaxed. Indeed, Queen Elizabeth was so impressed she told her mother-in-law how much the visit reminded her of a stay in the country. The visit also improved the sympathies…
