The Best Photos of the British Royal Family in New York City Through the Years
Prince William arrives in New York City today, kicking off a two-day visit for the Earthshot Prize's annual innovation summit. During his time in the city, he will attend the summit and a variety of other engagements around town. To mark his return to New York—his last visit was in December 2014—we took a stroll down memory lane of the best royal visits to New York City over the decades. From Queen Elizabeth's visit to Bloomingdale's to Princess Diana's stylish outings in the city to Meghan Markle and Prince Harry's visit earlier this year, here are the best photos of the royal family in New York City through the years:
May 2023
Earlier this year, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex attended the Ms. Foundation Women of Vision Awards in Manhattan. "The narrative on repeat that surrounded me allowed me to recognize that part of my greater value and purpose in life was to advocate for those who felt unheard, to stand up to injustice, and to be not afraid of saying what you know is true, and what is just, and what is right," Meghan said during her speech.
July 2022
Last summer, the Sussexes were in New York City when Prince Harry delivered a keynote speech at the United Nations General Assembly to honor Nelson Mandela’s legacy.
November 2021
The Salute to Freedom Gala, which raised funds for the Intrepid Sea-Air-Space Museum's educational programs, was Harry and Meghan's first major event since stepping back from their roles as senior members of the royal family.
September 2021
Prince Harry and Meghan carried out a number of engagements in September 2021 in New York, including a visit to One World Trade Center Observatory.
All the best photos from their September trip, here.
September 2019
Meghan flew to New York to watch her friend, Serena Williams, compete in the U.S. Open finals.
February 2019
While pregnant with Prince Archie, Meghan jetted to the Big Apple to celebrate with her close friends at a baby shower on the Upper East Side.
May 2018
Over the years, numerous royals have been in the city to attend the Met Gala. Here, Princess Beatrice attends the "Heavenly Bodies: Fashion & The Catholic Imagination" themed Costume Institute Gala at the Met Museum.
November 2015
In her pre-royal life, Meghan was often in New York City for various work and fashion events.
December 2014
In 2014, Prince William and Kate Middleton visited the U.S., including a stop in New York City.
Read more: A Look Back on Prince William and Kate Middleton's Most Memorable Royal Tour Moments
During this visit, Kate was pregnant with Princess Charlotte.
October 2014
Meghan in the city in 2014, celebrating Relais & Chateaux's 60th anniversary at the Consulate General of France.
April 2013
On another visit to the city, Meghan was spotted at a Rangers game.
July 2010
In 2010, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip stopped in New York following a royal tour of Canada. Here, she lays a wreath at the site of the World Trade Center.
May 2009
Prince Harry visited New York City solo in 2009, and participated in the official naming of the British Garden at Hanover Square.
He also threw out the opening pitch prior at the New York Mets game at Citi Field.
While in the city, he also met New York City firefighters during a visit to Ground Zero.
January 2007
During his 2007 visit, then-Prince Charles joined in basketball drills at the Harlem Children's Zone.
November 2005
Charles and Camilla visited New York shortly after their wedding in 2005. Here, they unveil the center stone for the British Memorial Garden at Hanover Square in Lower Manhattan.
June 1997
Diana, Princess of Wales, visited the city in 1997 for a gala party to launch the Christie's dress auction to raise money for her charities. Here, she wears a dress designed by Catherine Walker.
December 1996
Princess Diana attended the Met Gala in 1996, wearing a dress by John Galliano.
February 1989
Princess Diana's first visit to New York City was in 1989—it was her first official trip overseas without Prince Charles.
Read more: A Look Back at Princess Diana's Famous 1989 New York Trip
1981
In 1981, Prince Charles was in the Big Apple to attend the Royal Ballet Gala at Lincoln Center. He posed for a photo with the ballerinas and First Lady Nancy Reagan.
July 1976
In 1976, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip did a royal visit to the U.S. While in New York City, she visited the Bloomingdale's flagship department store.
May 1975
Princess Margaret and her then-husband Antony Armstrong-Jones attend the Royal Ballet at the Met.
August 1966
En route back to London, Prince Phillip, Prince Charles, and Princess Anne had a stopover at John F. Kennedy International Airport.
June 1960
Prince Philip (center) joined Vice President Richard Nixon, Senator Jacob Javits and New York Governor Nelson Rockefeller at the opening of the British Trade Exhibition at the New York Coliseum, a convention center.
October 1957
Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip went on a royal tour to New York in 1957, her first visit to the city as Queen.
October 1954
A few years earlier, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother visited the United Nations when she toured New York. Per the original caption, she "shows her usual cheerful demeanor as she carries her own umbrella in the rain."
December 1950
Following his abdication, the Duke of Windsor mainly lived in France, but he and the Duchess of Windsor also had an apartment at the Waldorf Astoria Towers until 1960.
1939
When King George VI and Queen Elizabeth visited the U.S. in 1939, it was the first time a British monarch set foot on American soil. Their stops included Washington, D.C., and, of course, New York City.
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