A look back at Queen Elizabeth II's visit to Chicago
CHICAGO - In 1959, Queen Elizabeth II visited Chicago.
Queen’s Landing, directly across from Buckingham Fountain, is where Queen Elizabeth arrived more than half a century ago. She was 33 years old at the time.
"Me and my husband, we’ve looked forward to coming to Chicago and the state of Illinois," she said.
It was July 1959 when Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip arrived by boat at Chicago’s Monroe Harbor. The Monarchs were eventually greeted by then-Mayor Richard J. Daley. They then were off for a near 14-hour tour of the city.
More than a million spectators were along the lakefront and in downtown Chicago to get a glimpse of royalty. Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip were celebrated in a massive parade on Michigan Avenue.
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Other stops included the Art Institute, with an entourage of dignitaries, the Ambassador hotel and a formal banquet at the Conrad – now Hilton Hotel. One-thousand guests were invited. It was Her Majesty’s first and only visit to the Windy City.
Queen Elizabeth in Chicago in 1959 | Chicago Park District
Chicagoans, Native Britons and tourists alike shared these words reflecting on the Queen’s legacy.
"I think she forged her own path, she was very strong."
"She rained for 70 years. She was married for 70-plus years. I mean – goals."
"I think most people will agree, regardless of your thoughts on monarchy, she’s a pretty good person."
"Her hats, her perfect coordination, beautiful hats, gonna miss seeing her beautiful style in the news."
"I think it’s best to remember it in her words. She said her life was dedicated to service and being a servant to the people and that’s what she was."
Rare footage shows her motorcade procession traveling down Michigan Avenue.
Prince Philip, then-Illinois Governor William Stratton and Mayor Richard J. Daley rode with Her Majesty.
The 14-hour stop was the first visit of a reigning British Monarch to the Windy City.
On Thursday, Queen Elizabeth II passed peacefully surrounded by family at her Balmoral estate in Scotland. She was 96.
Her death brings to a close a reign that spanned seven decades and made her the most recognized woman in the world.
Queen Elizabeth took to the throne at age 25, and her coronation was the first ever to be televised.
Her majesty surpassed 15 British prime ministers and 14 U.S. presidents, including former President Barack Obama.
In a statement, Obama spoke on how Queen Elizabeth welcomed him and Michelle "to the world stage with open arms and extraordinary generosity."
He also spoke on her warmth and considerable humor.
In 2018, while taking a British TV crew through the garden at Buckingham Palace, which should be a peaceful place, the queen joked about Air Force One when she heard helicopters overhead.