09/06/2026
On 9 June 1939, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth were received at the United States Capitol during their historic visit to America.
They were the first reigning British monarchs to visit the United States, arriving at a moment when the world was moving closer to war.
The reception at the Capitol was brief, formal, and carefully prepared. Members of Congress were instructed on protocol, thousands lined the streets of Washington, and the royal couple was received in the Rotunda by congressional leaders.
The visit showed something important about monarchy. The Crown can serve as a symbol of continuity and national friendship in moments of international uncertainty. King George VI did not visit as a politician.
He came as Sovereign, representing the Crown and the wider constitutional order of Britain and the Empire.
For Australians, the episode is a useful reminder that monarchy has long played a role in diplomacy, alliance-building, and public trust between nations. Ceremony, when attached to constitutional office, can carry real diplomatic weight.
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Image courtesy of the Library of Congress
