King Paul and Queen Frederica of Greece visited New York City, Washington DC, Boston, Chicago, New Orleans, Huston, Los Angeles, and San Francisco on their 37-day ‘Goodwill Visit’ to the United States of America on this day in 1953, 70 years ago. Queen Frederica returned to America for a visit in 1964, while King Constantine and Queen Anne Marie paid a visit to New York and Washington in 1967.

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King Paul and Queen Frederica arrived in New York City at the end of October, which was described:

Queen Frederika of Greece arrived in New York yesterday with King Paul, the Royal entourage — and a borrowed mink coat. ‘Good gracious, I could never buy one,’ she told reporters gravely. ‘But my friends insisted that I should bring some thing grand for special occasions.’ Then Her Majesty broke into a grin: — ‘The trouble is it’s so grand I’m afraid I’ll never pluck up courage to wear it.’ The Royal couple will spend a month in the United States.

Going to Washington DC, King Paul and Queen Frederica were guests of honour at a State Dinner hosted by President Eisenhower at the White House, as well as a Gala Dinner hosted by the Secretary of State in honour of the King and Queen (wearing Queen Sophie’s Diamond Tiara, Ruby Brooch, Bow Brooch and her Ruby Pendant):

The King and Queen of Greece faced a busy programme today after being toasted by President Eisenhower at a dinner last night as leaders of a nation which ranks “high as a champion on the side of human dignity and freedom.” King Paul and Queen Frederika arrived in the United States yesterday for a 37-day visit. To-day’s programme called for the laying of a wreath at the tomb of George Washington and a visit to the Arlington national cemetery for a similar ceremony at the tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Press, radio, television and news photographers arranged a luncheon to-day for the Royal couple. After that they are to receive the heads of diplomatic missions and then about 1700 people at a reception. The day will end with an other formal dinner given by the Secretary of State, Mr. Dulles. At last night’s White House dinner President Eisenhower awarded King Paul the United States legion of merit.

King Paul and Queen Frederica went back to New York, where they visited the United Nations Building, before going to Boston, New Orleans, where the King and Queen (in Queen Sophie’s Diamond Tiara) attended another Gala, and Houston, there they attended a ranch barbecue.

In Chicago, the King and Queen (wearing the Greek Emerald Parure) attended a Gala at the Conrad Hilton Hotel, where they met leading American Citizens.

In Los Angeles, the King and Queen went on studio tour and met Hollywood Stars before going on a visit to San Francisco.

At the end of the visit, King and Queen returned to Greece from New York City, where King Paul and Queen Frederica (wearing Queen Sophie’s Diamond Tiara and the Greek Emerald Parure) attended a spectacular Gala Performance of “Il Trovatore” at the Metropolitan Opera House, as guests of Mrs. William Randolph Hearst.

King Paul of Greece presents the medal of the Order of the Phoenix to Dimitri Mitropoulos , Greek-born conductor of the New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra, after attending a concert at Carnegie Hall. (At right is Queen Frederika). This was the second such recognition Mitropoulos received from his native country

King Paul and Queen Fredericka of Greece left for home yesterday aboard the liner Independence after a five-week tour of the United States in which King Paul, undertook to express personal thanks for American aid. : ‘ “You are capable of great human, ‘ understanding, sympathy and love,” the King said at a Press conference, before leaving. “These qualities you have shown when each of you as a simple, unknown taxpayer has made Marshall Aid. possible to your less fortunate friends across the seas.”

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