32 Fun Halloween Facts That Are Sure to Surprise and Delight

32 Fun Halloween Facts That Are Sure to Surprise and Delight

From scary movie trivia to interesting tidbits about the holiday's history

By Sarah Lemire and Amanda Garrity | TODAY • Published October 27, 2022

How Much Do You Really Know About Halloween?

Even after all these years, the haunted holiday remains a bit of a mystery — which is why we've rounded up some fun Halloween facts to teach you (and everyone else) a thing or two.

We've covered all the bases here. Below, learn the history of beloved Halloween traditions like trick-or-treating, homemade costumes and carved (and no-carve) pumpkins came to be. But that's not all: Get a taste of everyone's candy-eating habits, along with a look behind your favorite Halloween movies and songs.

They’ll come in handy, no matter what Halloween throws your way. Use ‘em to break the ice at a costume party, study them before a round of Halloween trivia, list off a few not-so-obvious Easter eggs about the scary movie you’re watching or incorporate bits of trivia into the caption of your annual Instagram post.

Now, take a moment to read over these fun and festive facts, then memorize a few standouts to surprise and spook everyone who crosses your path on October 31.

The White House Was First Decorated For Halloween In 1958

Mamie Eisenhower decorated the White House for Halloween for the first time. She decked out the State Dining Room in twinkle lights, shocks of dried corn, jack-o'-lanterns and autumnal flower arrangements for a lunch for wives of staff members. Things took a spooky turn outside the dining room, though: Black cats, owls, witch heads and goblins hung from chandeliers in the foyer.

HALLOWEEN

Americans Spend More Than $100 On Halloween

And it's not going down anytime soon. In 2022, the National Retail Federation estimated that Americans would spend an average of $100 on costumes, candy, decorations and greeting cards — just short of last year's estimate of $103.

Spending is expected to increase across the board, except spending on greeting cards is taking a slight dip this year. Looks like we're going digital this Halloween then!

Jack Nicholson's Divorce Inspired A Scene In "The Shining"

There's a scene in "The Shining" that writers — including Nicholson — know all too well: Wendy approaches Jack at his typewriter and he scolds her for trying to get in the way of his writing process. Nicholson later revealed that his character's reaction, although exaggerated, stems from his own personal experience.

"That scene at the typewriter — that’s what I was like when I got my divorce. I was under the pressure of being a family man with a daughter and one day I accepted a job to act in a movie in the daytime and I was writing a movie at night and I’m back in my little corner and my beloved wife, Sandra, walked in on what was, unbeknownst to her, this maniac — and I told Stanley [Kubrick] about it and we wrote it into the scene," the actor told The New York Times.

William Shakespeare Wrote The "Song Of Witches"

“Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn and caldron bubble” is from William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth.” A trio of witches recite the poem as they scheme over a bubbling cauldron and it's been associated with witches ever since.

People Used To Carve Turnips, Not Pumpkins

Initially, the Irish and Scottish carved turnips as a way to remember deceased souls. When they immigrated to the U.S., they realized that pumpkins were much easier to carve and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Most-Googled Costume Is A Witch

Classic Halloween costumes never go out of style. Here are the most popular children’s Halloween costumes in 2022 (in order), according to Google:

Witch   Spiderman   Dinosaur   "Stranger Things"   Fairy   Pirate  Rabbit   Cheerleader   Cowboy   Harley    Quinn   Clown

Halloween was once known as "Black Halloween"

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https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertainment/holidays/32-fun-halloween-facts-that-are-sure-to-surprise-and-delight/3926209/

59 Spooky Halloween Facts

59 Spooky Halloween Facts

By Karin Lehnardt, Senior Writer  Published August 20, 2016 Updated October 26, 2022

Because the movie Halloween (1978) was on such a tight budget, they had to use the cheapest mask they could find for the character Michael Meyers, which turned out to be a William Shatner Star Trek mask. Shatner initially didn’t know the mask was in his likeness, but when he found out years later, he said he was honored.[19]

The first Jack O’Lanterns were actually made from turnips.[16]

Halloween is the second highest grossing commercial holiday after Christmas.[17]

The word “witch” comes from the Old English wicce, meaning “wise woman.” In fact, wiccan were highly respected people at one time. According to popular belief, witches held one of their two main meetings, or sabbats, on Halloween night.[18]

Halloween Fear Facts

It sometimes presents itself with related phobias, such as phasmophobia (the fear of ghosts), wiccaphobia (the fear of witchcraft), and nyctophobia (the fear of darkness)

Samhainophobia is the fear of Halloween.[7]

Fifty percent of kids prefer to receive chocolate candy for Halloween, compared with 24% who prefer non-chocolate candy and 10% who preferred gum.[7]

The owl is a popular Halloween image. In Medieval Europe, owls were thought to be witches, and to hear an owl's call meant someone was about to die.[18]

According to Irish legend, Jack O’Lanterns are named after a stingy man named Jack who, because he tricked the devil several times, was forbidden entrance into both heaven and hell. He was condemned to wander the Earth, waving his lantern to lead people away from their paths.[18]

The Guinness World Record for Heaviest Pumpkin is held by Mathias Willemijns from Belgium and his 2,624.6-pound pumpkin.[9]

Stephen Clarke holds the record for the world’s fastest pumpkin carving time: 24.03 seconds, smashing his previous record of 54.72 seconds. The rules of the competition state that the pumpkin must weigh less than 24 pounds and be carved in a traditional way, which requires at least eyes, nose, ears, and a mouth.[13]

Trick-or-treating evolved from the ancient Celtic tradition of putting out treats and food to placate spirits who roamed the streets at Samhain, a sacred festival that marked the end of the Celtic calendar year.[13]

“Souling” is a medieval Christian precursor to modern-day trick-or-treating. On Hallowmas (November 1), the poor would go door-to-door offering prayers for the dead in exchange for soul cakes.[16]

The first known mention of trick-or-treating in print in North America occurred in 1927 in Blackie, Alberta, Canada.[13]

Halloween Cat Fact

Cats have a prominent place in Halloween folklore and decor

 To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://www.factretriever.com/halloween-facts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=61&v=zx8GZW4vAKw&feature=emb_logo

"A Story Book Ending and an Idiot Dad" Posted by Mot at TNT

TNT:

Mot: ~~~~ A Story-Book Ending and an Idiot Dad ~~~~~

A Story-Book Ending and an Idiot Dad

He learned something very important from his/my youngest daughter yesterday.  Probably a lot more than she would think.

She is 18 and moved away to college last week.  Her passion in life has always been riding horses and showing them.  She began showing horses when she was 7 years old.  Every year, she has competed in numerous horse shows.  Each year, the World’s Championship Horse Show is held in Louisville, Kentucky, near our home.  She has entered every year and to her great disappointment, never won first place.

Long ago, she made it her life’s dream to win a World Championship.  Over the years, it became more and more apparent to me that her chances were low that she would.  In this business, the horses that win are usually very, very expensive.  More expensive than we could afford. 

Several years ago, when she told me about her lifetime dream of winning a World Championship, I told her she would probably never win.  She was crushed and ran off crying. 

I knew right away I had made one of the worst mistakes I would ever make as a parent.  My intentions were good–I simply didn’t want her to aspire to something that wasn’t possible.  I also felt guilty because I couldn’t afford to buy her a horse that was needed to win.

What I failed to realize in that brief moment, is that she subscribed to the story-book notion that as long as you work hard, believe in yourself, and never give up, you can always achieve your goal.  Being a pragmatist with pessimistic leanings, I subscribed to the “life isn’t fair” theory and I wanted to protect her from further disappointment.  What I told her that day was just plain stupid and it’s something I’ll regret until the day I die.

Despite the growing odds that she may never achieve her goal, she never gave up and she worked very hard at countless lessons and countless horse shows–many of which led to only more disappointment.  She persevered.

I’m one of those parents that NEVER misses the activities of my kids unless something totally unavoidable prevents me from doing so.  So, as the years dragged on, my heart was crushed each time she entered a show that ended in disappointment. I dreaded going to each show, knowing we were getting closer and closer to a lost dream.

Several years ago, we told her once she went off to college, we would no longer be able to afford keeping the horses we had, so just as she began college this year, she entered her last event at the World Championships.  This was going to be her last ride.

What happened next was nothing less than remarkable.

She was entered in a large class of 33 horses.  Her horse had been giving her trouble all year long and the prospects did not look good for the last ride of her career.  Because the class was so large, the class was split into two divisions to compete separately.  She was to ride in the second division.  As the first class was about to enter the arena, she was preparing to warm up her horse just outside the entrance.

Along with the rest of my family, I was anxiously awaiting her ride in the fabled Freedom Hall at the Kentucky State Fair Grounds–hallowed ground among this community of competitors.  Unknown to us as she was preparing to warm up her horse, a trainer from the first division yelled out “I need a rider for our horse!  Right now.”  It turns out, one of the riders had become suddenly ill and could not enter the ring.  If someone did not show her horse, it would be disqualified for later showing. 

My daughter’s trainer heard the call for help and said “My rider can do it!”   The other trainer told ours that this horse was game and had mostly only been ridden by professional trainers.  Our trainer responded “Yes, you bet she can!”  Somewhat intimidated, but excited to ride the other horse, my daughter mounted this horse she had never seen before and within seconds, entered the arena with 13 other riders.  My daughter and her trainer instinctively knew that not being able to warm up her own horse would likely mean they would do poorly in the second division.   Besides, who knew, maybe she would have a better chance on this horse she didn’t know.

From that point forward, she dominated the class and was cheered on by the crowd.  And when the announcement of the ribbons came, my little baby girl was announced the winner, a World champion rider.  She smiled and cried her way through the award announcement and her victory pass.  Afterward, she sobbed uncontrollably for nearly 30 minutes.  All those years of hard work had finally paid off and she got her story-book ending in the last ride of her career.

Her tears were mostly tears of joy of course, but combined with thoughts that validated her abilities as a rider.  No more doubts about whether she had not won because of lack of ability.  She had indeed proved her abilities in that single event.  Riding a game horse you’ve never been on before and doing so well is a remarkable feat.

So, what did I learn from my daughter?  Well, if you work hard and never give up, and you believe in yourself (no matter what your Dad says) you can indeed achieve your goal.  I learned this from my daughter.  The very thing I was supposed to teach her.

It later occurred to me that this was a God thing.  No, I don’t think God made her win that championship.  I don’t think God helps people win things as trivial (in the grand scheme of things) as a horse show, but I do think he helps things along that shape a young person’s life.  I have little doubt that winning that championship was more important to her than anyone else at that show.   I think God set some extraordinary things in place to give her the opportunity to do so–to allow her to prove herself.  And when she did, I’m confident that God smiled with the rest of us and said “Well done daughter.  Well done.”

Oh, and Caroline, first I want to say how sorry I am for saying such a terrible thing to you at a such a vulnerable time in your life and when you needed encouragement.  Parents aren’t perfect, and I proved that in spades that day I told you you couldn’t do it. 

Secondly, you’ve made me the proudest Dad in the world. Not just because you won.  But because you proved to me and many others that perseverance and hard work will always pay off and you did it with grace, humility, and joy.

King Charles III Coronation Date Revealed

King Charles III Coronation Date Revealed: What Happens And Will It Be A Bank Holiday?

Amira Arasteh   Fri, October 14, 2022

King Charles III ascended the throne upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II in September, becoming the oldest new monarch in British history.  While Britain came to the end of its national mourning period for the late Queen on Tuesday September 20 following her state funeral, the coronation of the new King will not take place until summer next year.

But when exactly is the coronation and what will it mean for both the monarchy and the rest of the country?

When did Charles become King?

Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday September 8, Charles officially became King.

However, it is tradition to wait for a sufficient period of time before crowning the new sovereign.

A large amount of preparation is also required to organise the ceremony.

The accession ceremony of King Charles III at St James's Palace - Jamie Lorriman/Daily Telegraph

When is the Coronation of King Charles III?

King Charles III's coronation is set to take place on Saturday May 6, 2023 at Westminster Abbey.

It is expected that the King will sign a proclamation formally declaring the date of the coronation at a meeting of the Privy Council later this year.

The late Queen's coronation took place on June 2, 1953, following her accession on 6 February 1952, over a year after she ascended the throne.

Will there be a bank holiday?

An additional bank holiday is not guaranteed for the coronation despite tradition, The Telegraph has learned.

The assumption that there would be an extra bank holiday is believed to have caused an "issue" with government planning, amid fears for the economy. One alternative option would be for an existing May bank holiday to be moved to mark the event.

It was reported earlier this year that the Government had modelled the cost of an extra bank holiday at £1.36 billion. But the accountants PwC believe this is an over-estimation and that the true cost is nearer to £831 million.

However, Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Business Secretary, has declared his support. "The coronation is an important symbolic act with constitutional resonance about the stability of our system," he said. "To have a day off for that is perfectly reasonable, and the effect on growth will not be enormous."

One option being considered by Whitehall officials is to create a new bank holiday on May 8, in addition to the existing one the previous week. The Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "All options remain on the table."

What will happen at the Coronation?

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/king-charles-iii-coronation-date-062509830.html

King Charles III coronation: When is he officially crowned and what happens next?

King Charles III coronation: When is he officially crowned and what happens next?

Amira Arasteh    Thu, September 29

Following the death of Queen Elizabeth II, her eldest son ascended the throne to become King Charles III.  The late Queen reigned for 70 years, having celebrated her Platinum Jubilee in June 2022, meaning she was the only monarch many people in Britain have ever known.

Britain came to the end of its national mourning period for the late Queen on Tuesday 20 September, following her state funeral, and while he has already ascended the throne, the coronation of the new King will not happen for some time.

But exactly when will the coronation take place and what will it mean for both the monarchy and the rest of the country?

When did Charles become King?

Upon the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday 8 September, Charles officially became King.

However, it is tradition to wait until a sufficient time period of mourning has taken place, before crowning the new sovereign.

A large amount of preparation is also required to organise the ceremony.

When is the coronation of King Charles III?

An official coronation date is yet to be announced, however the Telegraph reported that it is likely to be in spring or summer 2023, after a period of mourning for the late Queen.

The late Queen's coronation took place on 2 June 1953 following her accession on 6 February 1952, over a year after she ascended the throne.

What will happen at the coronation?

It is expected that the coronation of King Charles III will be designed in line with his vision for a smaller, more modern monarchy.   The King will be crowned alongside his Queen Consort, Camilla.

Sources have said that the ceremony will be shorter, smaller and less expensive than that of Queen Elizabeth II. It is also said it will be planned to be representative of different faiths and community groups - falling in line with the King's wish to reflect the ethnic diversity of modern Britain.

The coronation will include the oath required by statute and many of the ceremonies which were seen in the late Queen's service, such as anointing with consecrated oil, the delivery of the orb and the enthroning itself.

Over 8,000 guests from 129 nations travelled to Westminster Abbey for the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 but, in contrast, guests at the King's coronation will be limited to 2,000 to accommodate health and safety restrictions.

The Archbishop of Canterbury will conduct the ceremony in Westminster Abbey, confirming Charles's acceptance of becoming King via the coronation oath.

The King will be asked if he will govern the United Kingdom and other nations of the Commonwealth with law and justice and if he will maintain Christianity in the nation.

He will be seated in the Coronation Chair, known as Edward's Chair, holding the sovereign's sceptre and rod, to represent his control of the nation, and the sovereign's orb, to represent the Christian world.

After being anointed, blessed and consecrated by the Archbishop, Charles will have the crown of St Edward placed on his head, officially crowning him as King Charles III.

What Crown does the king wear?

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://www.yahoo.com/news/king-charles-iii-coronation-officially-055617841.html

14 Surprising Facts About the British Royal Family’s Money

14 Surprising Facts About the British Royal Family’s Money

Jami Farkas    Sat, September 24, 2022

Even though the British royal family holds only symbolic power, King Charles III and his heirs still make millions.

The new king and sons Prince William and Prince Harry all make money from personal sources of wealth. As working members of the royal family, King Charles and Prince William also benefit from government money as well as from the income from estates that have been passed down through generations. Want to learn more about the British royal family? Click through to learn interesting facts about the royal family's wealth.

The King Receives a Sovereign Grant From Taxpayer Money.

The sitting monarch receives a Sovereign Grant from the HM Treasury to pay for the salaries of household staff, official travel expenses and the upkeep of the palaces.

The grant comes from profits from the Crown Estate. In the 2021-22 budget, the Sovereign Grant was £86.3, equivalent to £1.29 per person, the BBC reported. In U.S. dollars, those figures equal about $98.5 million and $1.50.

The Sovereign Grant Changes From Year to Year.  The Sovereign Grant currently is equal to 25 percent of the Crown Estate's total profits, so when profits rise, so does the size of the grant.

The Crown Estate does not belong personally to the monarch or the royal family. It is managed by an independent group, and remaining 85% of profits go to the treasury to benefit all residents of the United Kingdom. The holdings of the Crown Estate are worth more than £7.3 billion -- $8.3 billion in U.S. money - and includes everything from beef farms to facilities for stone mining.

The King Gets Additional Income From the Duchy of Lancaster.

The Duchy of Lancaster refers to the portfolio of land, property and assets held in trust for the king or queen of England, and it provides the head of the royal family with an independent source of income outside of the Sovereign Grant.

For the year ending March 2022, the Duchy of Lancaster delivered a net income of £24.0 million ($27.4 million).

The King Also Has His Own Personal Wealth and Income.

Other sources of money for King Charles III are the personal investment portfolio and private estates, which include the Balmoral and Sandringham Estates that have been passed to him since the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 8. Forbes valued the inheritance at $500 million. The royal palaces and Crown Jewels are not part of his personal wealth, as they must be passed on to his successor and are not his to sell.

King Charles III has the highest British royal family net worth at $600 million and is by far the richest member of the royal family.

Prince William Gets His Money From the Duchy of Cornwall.

While the king gets income from the Duchy of Lancaster, the Prince of Wales, William, gets his income from the Duchy of Cornwall.

The estate, which is one of the oldest and largest in Britain, is spread throughout England and contains agricultural, commercial and residential property. The Duchy also includes a financial investment portfolio.

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://news.yahoo.com/14-surprising-facts-british-royal-192418410.html

If King Charles III Stepped Down

If King Charles III Stepped Down

Here's what would happen if King Charles III stepped down and handed the throne to Prince William

Maria Noyen   Sat, September 24, 2022

King Charles III has not indicated that he ever plans to renounce the throne. Given his age and historically low popularity in the UK, however, it remains a possibility.

Insider spoke with a royal historian about what would happen if Charles stepped down as king.

The UK is mourning the loss of a queen that reigned for 70 years while also welcoming a king that spent the same amount of time preparing to replace her.

From the outside, the reign of King Charles III appears to have gotten off to a shockingly good start. In his first speech, he made his intention to follow in his mother's footsteps crystal clear.

"As the Queen herself did with such unswerving devotion, I too now solemnly pledge myself, throughout the remaining time God grants me, to uphold the constitutional principles at the heart of our nation," he said.

Charles, now aged 73, is the oldest person to become king in British history. In the years before Queen Elizabeth II died, speculation mounted that she may have been contemplating stepping down and handing the throne to Charles.

That said, the decades Charles spent as a prince saw his popularity among the public nearly decimated, especially following his divorce from Princess Diana in 1996. As recent as 2021, it led to a desire among the British public for Prince William to succeed Queen Elizabeth II instead of his father, according to a poll on behalf of Newsweek.

Insider spoke to royal experts about what would happen in the event Charles stepped down and what it would mean for the monarchy's future.

Charles couldn't simply step away from the throne

There are two scenarios in which Charles is alive but no longer king, royal historian Marlene Koenig told Insider.

The first comes under the Regency Act, Koenig said, which could be triggered if Charles was physically incapacitated, meaning he could no longer speak or move. Dr. Bob Morris, an honorary senior research associate at UCL's Constitution Unit, told Insider the monarch's inability to carry out their duties would also have to be certified by various people including their spouse.

If that occurred, the next in line – Prince William – would become regent. "He takes over and has all the powers of the king, except some matters, which are reserved," Morris said.

However, there is another, more controversial scenario — abdication. Koenig said it's highly unlikely to ever occur given Charles' intention to follow in his mother's footsteps.

In any case, abdication is a complex process. Charles couldn't simply decide to abdicate by himself. To make it official, he would first need UK Parliament to pass an Act of Abdication, Koenig said.

"He can't just say, 'OK, here it's yours, William.' Nope. The succession to the throne is legislated by parliament," she added.

To continue reading, please go to the original article here:

https://news.yahoo.com/heres-happen-king-charles-iii-100000649.html

King Charles III Leaves Note On Coffin Of His Mom, Queen Elizabeth II

King Charles III Leaves Note On Coffin Of His Mom, Queen Elizabeth II

Katie Kindelan  Mon, September 19, 2022

George VI  King of the United Kingdom from 1936 to 1952, Emperor of India from 1936 to 1948 (1895-1952)

King Charles III paid tribute to his mother Queen Elizabeth II with a note on her coffin as she was laid to rest Monday. In a note that was tucked into a wreath of flowers and foliage chosen by Charles, the new king wrote, "In loving and devoted memory."

Charles signed the note with his first name, Charles, followed by the letter R, which stands for Rex, the Latin word for king. The king, the eldest of the queen's four children, has led members of the royal family and the public through more than one week of mourning for the queen, who died on Sept. 8 at age 96 while at Balmoral Castle in Scotland.

Charles was by his mother's side when she died and walked directly behind the queen's coffin as it was escorted into Westminster Abbey Monday for her funeral.

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III walks beside The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in a Royal Standard and adorned with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre as it leaves Westminster Abbey in London, on Sept. 19, 2022. 

The floral wreath that held the note written by Charles was full of bright flowers cut from the gardens of the royal family's residences, as well as foliage of rosemary and English oak.

In a sentimental touch that came at the request of Charles, as did all the flowers chosen, the foliage in the wreath also included myrtle that was cut from a plant grown from myrtle that used in the queen’s wedding bouquet when she wed her beloved husband Prince Philip in 1947.

PHOTO: The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II with the Imperial State Crown, orb and sceptre resting on top is carried into Westminster Abbey on Sept. 19, 2022 in London.

The queen will be buried next to Philip at the King George VI Memorial Chapel at St. George's Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

The burial service will be private, attended only by members of the royal family. 

PHOTO: Britain's King Charles III, Britain's Princess Anne, Princess Royal, Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York and Britain's Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex arrive at Westminster Abbey in London, Sept. 19, 2022, for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Before the queen is buried, items on her coffin will be removed.

In addition to the wreath, the coffin is adorned with the Imperial State Crown, the crown that monarchs wear as they leave Westminster Abbey after the coronation.

The crown -- which contains 2,868 diamonds, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, 269 pearls, and four rubies -- was made in 1937 for the coronation of the queen's father, King George VI, according to Historic Royal Palaces, the organization that oversees the Tower of London, where the crown jewels are held.

The coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, who reigned for 70 years, is adorned with the Imperial State Crown. (ABC News Photo Illustration)

The queen's coffin is also adorned with the Sovereign's Sceptre with Cross and the Sovereign's Orb, both part of the coronation regalia.

The queen's coffin is draped with the Royal Standard, the flag representing the sovereign and the U.K. During her reign, the Royal Standard was flown on her car and aircraft on official journeys and at royal palaces when the queen was in residence.

King Charles III leaves note on coffin of his mom, Queen Elizabeth II originally appeared on goodmorningamerica.com

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King Charles III leaves note on coffin of his mom, Queen Elizabeth II

The Queen’s Relationship With Each US President

The Queen’s Relationship With Each US President

Oliver O'Connell Sun, September 18, 2022

Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand - Over her 70 years as monarch, Queen Elizabeth II met every sitting US president, with the notable exception of President Lyndon Johnson.

Even before she ascended to the throne, she met President Harry Truman when she was heir and also met President Herbert Hoover when she was monarch, 20 years after he had left office.

Against the backdrop of the Cold War, the economic crises, societal changes, scientific breakthroughs, and military campaigns that have shaped the bond between the US and the UK, the Queen has been a constant and friendly soft power figure that was an important part of the special relationship.

Here are some of the notable moments of her meetings with US presidents.

Harry Truman

In late 1951, while heir to the throne, Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited Washington DC. The royal couple were on a tour of Canada at the time and took a side-trip to see President Truman, gifting him a candelabra, an oil painting, and an ornate mirror.

Mr Truman is said to have told the princess that he hoped “when you leave, you will like us even better than when you came”. The visit occurred as British and US troops were fighting communist insurgents in Korea at the dawn of the Cold War, just six years after the end of the Second World War.

Dwight D Eisenhower

The Queen made her first state visit to the US in 1957, attending a dinner at the White House on 20 October hosted by President Eisenhower and his wife, Mamie. Mr Eisenhower wore a British Order of Merit that was awarded to him by the Queen’s late father, King George VI, following the war.

At the time, relations between Britain and America were in a poor state following the Suez crisis in Egypt, during which the UK had kept the US in the dark about collusion with the French and Israelis.

Prime Minister Harold Macmillan asked the Queen to visit Washington to generate some goodwill between the two nations.

John F Kennedy

President John Kennedy (right) and his wife Jacqueline (second left) pictured with Queen Elizabeth II (second right) and the Duke of Edinburgh (left) at Buckingham Palace (PA)

The Kennedys attended a banquet in their honour at Buckingham Palace during a tour of Europe in the first year of his presidency, meeting the Queen on 5 June 1961.

It is said that the young monarch was intimidated by the glamorous Jackie Kennedy.

After returning to Washington, President Kennedy sent the Queen a birthday message, adding at the end of his letter: “May I also at the same time say how grateful my wife and I are for the cordial hospitality offered to us by your Majesty and Prince Philip during our visit to London last Monday. We shall always cherish the memory of that delightful evening.”

Mr Kennedy’s father had been US ambassador to the UK, and as something of an anglophile, the relationship between Britain and America was restored after the upset over Suez, with the Americans agreeing to share nuclear technology as the Cold War intensified.

Following President Kennedy’s assassination, the Queen sent a letter of condolence but did not attend the funeral as she was heavily pregnant, with Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh representing the royal family.

The Queen did not meet President Kennedy’s successor President Lyndon Johnson.

Richard Nixon

President Nixon and first lady Pat Nixon came to Buckingham Palace in 1969 and returned to the UK again on 3 October 1970 when the monarch hosted them at Chequers, the country home of the British prime minister, then Edward Heath.

There was gossip that Mr Nixon had tried to set up his daughter Tricia with a then-bachelor Prince of Wales. The meetings between the Queen and the president came as the US was deeply mired in the war in Vietnam and successive prime ministers had refused to send British troops in support.

Gerald Ford

Following the resignation of President Nixon in 1974, President Ford took office as preparations were underway for the 1976 bicentennial, and a royal visit to Washington was on the cards.

Mr Ford threw a gala state dinner at the White House on 7 July to mark 200 years since the American Revolution. At the dinner, the Queen danced with Mr Ford to an unfortunately-timed rendition of “The Lady is a Tramp”, in an evening that was fondly recalled by first lady Betty Ford in her memoirs.

Jimmy Carter

The Queen hosted President Carter in May 1977 on his first overseas trip at a dinner for Nato leaders at Buckingham Palace. It was also the Queen’s silver jubilee year.

Reportedly, as Mr Carter stood with the Queen and other guests, he noticed the arrival of Queen Elizabeth, the queen mother, and ever the Southern gentleman, he broke away, took her by the hand, and escorted her to the assembled line of guests.

Famous for his informality, the president nevertheless ate chicken mousse off a gold plate and seemed excited by his dinner seating between the Queen and her sister, Princess Margaret, and across from Prince Charles, Prince Philip, and the queen mother.

Ronald Reagan

The Queen and President Reagan are said to have bonded over their mutual love of horseback riding when they met at Windsor Castle in June 1982, riding side by side on an eight-mile, hour long tour of the grounds. Mr Reagan was the first president to stay at the 11th-century castle.

Mr Reagan and his wife Nancy became the only presidential couple to host the Queen at their own home when they had the monarch and Prince Phillip stay at their ranch near Santa Barbara, California, in 1983. Poor weather meant there was no horse riding, but the Reagans served a lunch of regional staples, including enchiladas and tacos.

On the same trip, the royals were treated to a state dinner in San Francisco at the MH de Young Memorial Museum. The bad weather continued and during her remarks, the Queen joked: “I knew before we came that we had exported many of our traditions to the United States. But I had not realised before that weather was one of them.”

Over the president’s laughter, she added: “But, Mr President, if the climate has been cool, your welcome and that of the American people have been wonderfully warm.”

The Queen made Mr Reagan an honourary knight in recognition of America’s covert assistance to the UK during the Falklands War. Their meetings came at a time when the bond between Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Mr Reagan was one of the strongest of any transatlantic parings of the special relationship, and at the height of the Cold War.

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Without The Queen At Its Heart, Commonwealth Faces Uncertain Future

Without The Queen At Its Heart, Commonwealth Faces Uncertain Future

By Sarah Mills and Estelle Shirbon  Fri, September 16, 2022

LONDON (Reuters) - When she was a child growing up in Nigeria, Timie Ogunmola's father used to show her black-and-white pictures of his trip to London in 1953 to attend Queen Elizabeth's coronation as an official in what was then his country's colonial administration.

Now a resident of Edinburgh in her 60s, Ogunmola was among thousands of mourners who filed past the queen's coffin this week as it lay at rest in the city's cathedral, eager to pay her respects to a monarch who has been a fixture in her life.

"We are from the Commonwealth countries, she is the queen of the Commonwealth for us," said an emotional Ogunmola, shortly after exiting the cathedral. "We grew up seeing her."

The Commonwealth, a club of 56 countries that evolved out of the British Empire after World War Two and which presents itself as a partnership of equals, mattered hugely to the late queen, who as its head made numerous visits to member states and cultivated friendly ties with their leaders.

Her dedication and longevity meant that many Commonwealth citizens, like Ogunmola, grew up seeing her and felt genuine warmth towards her, a reservoir of goodwill that gave meaning to the organisation. Her presence at Commonwealth events attracted heads of state and government, giving it diplomatic clout.

Now that she is gone, the baton passes to her son King Charles, as she had hoped and as was agreed by Commonwealth leaders in 2018, but stepping into her shoes will not be straightforward for the new monarch, who is far less popular.

Some Caribbean ministers have questioned why he should succeed her as head of the Commonwealth, noting the British monarch is not automatically its figurehead and suggesting that this was redolent of the days of Empire, when British colonies were expected to transfer allegiance from one monarch to the next.

The question of colonial legacies, hotly debated in the Caribbean and among some sections of British society, is an underlying tension in the Commonwealth, some observers say.

"Yes, the queen is a powerful symbol," said Nicole Aljoe, a professor of English and Africana Studies at Northeastern University in Boston in the United States.

"She's also a powerful symbol not only of the good stuff, but also of the very negative outcomes that have occurred because of Empire," said Aljoe, who was born in Jamaica.

Some voices within the Commonwealth have called for a reckoning with that history, and Charles surprised many at its most recent summit of heads of state and government, in Rwanda in June, by raising the issue of slavery.

"I want to acknowledge that the roots of our contemporary association run deep into the most painful period of our history," he said, expressing personal sorrow at the pain caused by the slave trade.

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Here's the Full Schedule for Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral and What to Expect

Here's the Full Schedule for Queen Elizabeth II's Funeral and What to Expect

Julia Zorthian   Fri, September 16, 2022

Queen of the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand

BRITAIN-ROYALS-QUEEN-DEATH

Britain's Prince Andrew, Duke of York (front) mount a vigil with siblings around the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, lying in state on the catafalque in Westminster Hall, at the Palace of Westminster in London on September 16, 2022, ahead of her funeral on Monday. - Queen Elizabeth II will lie in state in Westminster Hall inside the Palace of Westminster, until 0530 GMT on September 19, a few hours before her funeral, with huge queues expected to file past her coffin to pay their respects. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DANIEL LEAL/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Credit - POOL/AFP via Getty Images

The ten days of public mourning following the death of Queen Elizabeth II will end on Monday, Sept. 19 with a full day of funeral proceedings, which begin in London and end in Windsor, where she will be laid to rest.

Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey will be attended by world leaders, including President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden, and representatives from across the Commonwealth of Nations—most of which were part of the former British Empire.

Guests will convene for the ceremony at 11 a.m. London time, which will culminate in two minutes of silence for the Queen across the U.K. and the playing of “God Save the King”—a change after 70 years of “God Save the Queen.”

Processions through the streets of London, and then to the royal residence at Windsor, will also take place until Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest that evening at St. George’s Chapel on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Monday is a holiday across the U.K., with many businesses and schools closed so citizens can watch broadcasts of the events, which start at 4 a.m. and extend past 7:30 p.m.

Globally, millions are expected to view the coverage of the ceremony at Westminster Abbey, where Elizabeth married Prince Philip and had her coronation. This will be the first funeral for a British monarch to take place at the Abbey since the 18th century, and the first time cameras will be allowed inside any funeral ceremony for a British monarch.

Here is the schedule for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral, along with details of what to expect.

You can watch the funeral live on time.com.

Order Of Events

6:30 a.m. (1:30 a.m. ET): The doors of Westminster Hall at the House of Parliament, where Queen Elizabeth II has been lying in state, close to the public

10:44 a.m. (5:44 a.m. ET): The royal procession leaves from the Palace of Westminster to Westminster Abbey. The state gun carriage will carry Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin, accompanied by musicians such as the band of royal marines, and the path will be lined with members of the royal navy and royal marines. Members of the royal family, including King Charles III and Prince William, will follow behind the carriage.

10:52 a.m. (5:52 a.m. ET): Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin arrives at the gates of Westminster Abbey and is carried inside

11 a.m. (6 a.m. ET): The ceremony begins, led by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle, and will include readings and prayers by political and religious leaders including the new U.K. Prime Minister Liz Truss.

11:55 a.m. (6:55 a.m. ET): There are two minutes of silence within the Abbey and across the U.K.

Noon (7 a.m. ET): The funeral ends with reveille, the U.K. national anthem (“God Save the King”), and a lament by the queen’s piper. The coffin will go on another procession through the streets of London as Big Ben tolls continuously.

1 p.m. (8 a.m. ET): The coffin arrives at Wellington Arch in London, where it is loaded into a hearse. From here, the royal family departs for Windsor Castle, which is about 20 miles west of Buckingham Palace.

3:06 p.m. (10:06 a.m. ET): The state hearse arrives in Windsor, where it will join a procession heading up Albert Road. The King and other members of the royal family will join the path on foot to St. George’s Chapel roughly thirty minutes later.

4 p.m. (11 a.m. ET): The Committal Service begins at St. George’s Chapel, conducted by the Dean of Windsor and ending with a blessing from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

7:30 p.m. (2:30 p.m. ET): Queen Elizabeth II is laid to rest in a private ceremony in King George VI Memorial Chapel at Windsor Castle. She will be buried with her late husband, Prince Philip.

Which Members Of The Royal Family Will Be Involved?

Members of the royal family and King Charles III’s household are scheduled to have roles throughout the day, though not all details of where and how each royal will be involved are public.

In some specific instances, the palace has detailed the moments in which King Charles III, Prince William, Princess Catherine, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle will take part in the proceedings. Viewers can expect to see members of the royal family including King Charles III and Prince William in his role as heir apparent and Duke of Wales immediately following the casket as it sets off from Westminster Hall.

Following the funeral at Westminster Abbey, a group including King Charles III, Queen Consort Camilla, William, Kate, Harry, Meghan, Princess Sophie and other members of the family will follow the coffin on foot to Wellington Arch. This group will then join the official procession by car to Windsor.

Who Will Attend?

Westminster Abbey has roughly 2,000 seats to accommodate the extensive list of those who will pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth in person.

The royal family itself has not released a list of attendees, but many heads of state and other dignitaries have voiced their plans to attend the Westminster Abbey ceremony on the 19th. The Bidenssaid they will be there, along with the leaders of Italy, Japan, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, Kenya, and Australia, among others.

Numerous royal family members, including Queen Elizabeth II’s children Princess Anne, Prince Andrew, and Prince Edward, will also populate the pews of the Abbey. A long list of royals from other European countries will be there, too, including King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, Carl XVI Gustav of Sweden, King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, King Harald V of Norway and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.

Representatives from all parts of the Commonwealth are scheduled to attend, along with people that the Queen included on her annual honor’s list this past year, which celebrates outstanding citizens and community leaders.

How to Watch

Stateside, several network news and cable news channels will air the funeral ceremony live at 6 a.m. ET, so viewers can tune into their choice of ABC, BBC America, C-SPAN, CNN, Fox News, NBC and PBS for the event. In the U.K., BBC One, BBC News and Sky News will all run a full day of coverage.

Time.com will also livestream the event.

The BBC will livestream its coverage for free globally, as will ITV News and Sky News, so those with internet access can view on their sites or on Youtube. News outlets across the world will also broadcast feeds: for example, Canadian viewers can tune in to CBC, and ABC News in Australia will run the program.

https://news.yahoo.com/heres-full-schedule-queen-elizabeth-201335369.html