Queen Elizabeth II’s Playful Teasing of US First Ladies
According to a new book, Queen Elizabeth II had a playful side when it came to her interactions with at least two First Ladies from the US.
The late monarch, who passed away in 2022, was described as a “skillful impersonator.” She humorously imitated Melania Trump, portraying her as “taciturn and aloof,” reminiscent of actress Greta Garbo in one of her iconic roles. This playful take was shared by author Susan Page in her book, “The Queen and the Presidents.”
During this imitation, it’s said she whimsically quoted Garbo’s famous line from the classic film “Grand Hotel,” saying, “‘I want to be alone.’
The Queen first met Donald Trump and Melania Trump in July 2018 at Windsor Castle, then again during an official state visit in June 2019. Trump frequently expressed admiration for Queen Elizabeth.
Interestingly, she also poked fun at Nancy Reagan, the wife of President Ronald Reagan. It was reported that during a California trip, the royal family was observed joking about the First Lady and her passionate admiration for her husband.
Reports indicate that the Queen enjoyed a memorable outing with the Reagans, dining at a tiki bar—an unusual experience for her, having not eaten at a restaurant in 17 years.
Her friendship with Ronald Reagan was notable, particularly due to their shared love for horses, which led to them taking a drive together through Windsor Great Park in 1982.
Despite her playful imitations, Queen Elizabeth maintained a façade of civility throughout her long reign, interacting with all 14 US presidents she met, from Harry Truman to Joe Biden.
The Queen’s first meaningful relationship with a president was with John F. Kennedy, who was close to her age. They began exchanging letters after their first meeting, which evolved into a more casual correspondence, almost like chatting with a friend.
In 1962, the Queen hosted Jackie Kennedy for lunch during a private visit to London, and afterward sent a friendly handwritten note to President Kennedy, detailing how much she enjoyed their time together.
When Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, the Queen couldn’t attend the funeral as she was expecting Prince Edward, but Prince Philip went in her stead. Afterward, Jackie Kennedy found him amusingly playing with her young son, John.
Queen Elizabeth developed a strong friendship with President Reagan, which included a memorable dining experience at San Francisco’s Trader Vic’s during a visit in 1983, marking her first restaurant meal in years.
After Reagan’s passing, she sent a condolence letter to Nancy Reagan, personally delivered by then-Prince Charles during the funeral, highlighting her respect for the former First Lady.
During his presidency, Donald Trump attempted to pry some gossip from the Queen, asking about her favorite US president and her thoughts on his grandson, Prince Harry, and Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle. However, the Queen skillfully sidestepped these questions.
In a historic moment, Trump became the first US president welcomed by King Charles III in September 2025. Following this, a state visit by Charles and Queen Camilla to the US is planned for late April.
