“Special” Relationship?
With the current levels of Royal hype in America you’d be forgiven for thinking that the “special” relationship between the USA and England has been around for a long time. Actually, the United States of the 1930s had a very different mindset toward its former colonial motherland, with immigrants from Europe looking back over their shoulder at a Britain that was seen to be a fusty feudal relic – and precisely what they had left Europe to get away from.
To make matters worse some in America saw Edward VIII’s abdication as a very personal slight. In Britain upper class chins wagged about how the King had to abdicate because the woman he wanted, Wallace Simpson, was a divorcée. In the United States though, the belief was that he was forced to abdicate because he was marrying an American. In truth, both were factors in Edward’s abdication.
What was even more injurious to American perceptions of the Royals was that Edward, dashing playboy that he was, was succeeded by Albert, a stuttering nervous man. Not only was Albert considered un-regal but even his name was awkward, sounding far too German – so he was crowned George VI. His wife, who later became the Queen Mother, was also seen as dowdy and overweight. Together they were the worst combination, a couple without a stately feel and an ugly one to boot. Elizabeth was so stung by the press abuse that she went on a diet for 6 months before she crossed the Atlantic.
The Link To Detroit.
As they crossed Canada, and then headed back toward Niagara Falls, Elizabeth made a point of pulling her nervy husband away from distant stages and platforms and into crowds. Attitudes changed, and by the time their train moved through Windsor Ontario, they could look over to Detroit for the Queen’s first glimpse of the United States. The Motown skyline welcomed the Royals with a huge sign that read “DETROIT WELCOMES THEIR MAJESTIES THE KING AND QUEEN.”
The King had seen the US before as a young man – but for his wife, “Bettie” it was her first viewing of America. This was the first time a British Queen had set eyes on the United States – and it was Detroit that she saw…
