Duke and Duchess of York in Los Angeles, 1988

The Duke and Duchess of York were on an eight-day ‘Buy British’ visit to the City of Los Angeles on this day in 1988, which came in the midst of harsh media criticism over the Duchess’s fashion and antics while pregnant with Princess Beatrice, described as “brash, vulgar, excessive, weak-humored exhibition by two royals”. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh made an Official Visit to California in 1983. 

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The highlight of the Duke and Duchess’ (wearing her Diamond Suite) visit was a Gala Dinner at the Biltmore Hotel, which raised $200,000 to replace books lost in a fire at the central Los Angeles public library and $200,000 for UK/LA, a three-month festival of British arts and commerce.

They charmed the crowd at the dinner. ”Love You,” someone shouted to the Duchess from a $500 a seat table. ”I’ll see you later,” she shot back. And added, ”I never forget that I’m here because I’m married to the Duke of York.”

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The Duke and Duchess visited Chinatown, the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to meet David Hockney, the USS Nimitz, a Vons supermarket, the Bullocks Wiltshire Store, and opened a boutique of British tailored women’s clothes in the Palm Desert as part of their ‘Buy British’ Tour of California.

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In the evenings, the Duke and Duchess of York also attended a Fashion Show at the Music Centre in Los Angeles as well as a couple of Receptions. 

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NY Times | LA Times | WP

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