queen elizabeth visit kentucky

Tracing Queen Elizabeth’s steps through the U.S.

By Danielle Paquette | Sep 10, 2022

During her seven-decade reign, Queen Elizabeth II visited more than two dozen cities across the United States. She chatted with Girl Scouts, football players, presidents and Frank Sinatra . She cheered on race horses in Kentucky. She requested a ham sandwich with the crust removed in Texas. She sported a tweed skirt-suit in Yosemite National Park.

Wherever England’s longest-serving monarch went, photographers followed, capturing generations of Americans in the throes of Royal fever (and more than a few signature handbags ).

Oct. 17, 1957 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II heads to the White House as crowd's line Washington streets to see the royal monarch.

Oct. 18, 1957 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II accepts a doll for Princess Anne from 7-year-old Pamela Springmann during a visit at Children's Hospital.

Queen Elizabeth II and Vice President Richard Nixon tilt their heads for a better view of the oil paintings on the interior of the Capitol dome during a tour.

Oct. 19, 1957 | College Park, Md.

Co-captains of North Carolina and Maryland meet Queen Elizabeth II before the start of a game.

Oct. 21, 1957 | New York

Queen Elizabeth II, wearing a mink stole, and Prince Philip, standing next to a viewing telescope, view New York City from the observatory roof of the Empire State Building. The Queen said, "It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

Queen Elizabeth II, in a plastic domed car, rides up lower Broadway through a shower of ticker tape and confetti during procession to City Hall.

Queen Elizabeth II addresses the United Nations General Assembly.

Her Majesty kicked off a seven-city tour of the nation’s east in 1976 with a stop in Philadelphia, where she unveiled a gift for the City of Brotherly Love: a Bicentennial Bell to celebrate 200 years of American independence from English rule. (The bell remains in storage .)

July 7, 1976 | Andrews Air Force Base, Md.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip walk down the ramp of their aircraft near Washington.

July 7, 1976 | Philadelphia

Queen Elizabeth II is greeted by the Girl Scouts of America.

July 8, 1976 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II arrives at the U.S. Capitol.

On her New York leg, Elizabeth was spotted squeezing through city throngs, underscoring the lighter security protocols of yesteryear.

July 10, 1976 | New York

Thousands surround Queen Elizabeth II as she walks from the Federal Building up Wall Street to Trinity Church with Mayor Abraham Beame.

J Walter Green

July 10, 1976 | Charlottesville, Va.

Queen Elizabeth II tours Thomas Jefferson's Monticello home.

July 11, 1976 | Boston

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip wave to spectators below from the balcony of the Old State House before the Queen descended to street level to address the crowd. The location is the site of the Boston massacre, an event which led to the Revolutionary War.

Elizabeth returned in 1983 for a trek through the West Coast. She visited a Southern California retirement home, led a champagne toast with then-president Ronald Reagan and absorbed the mountain views at Yosemite National Park.

Feb. 26, 1983 | San Diego

Queen Elizabeth II reviews the U.S. Marine Corps honor guard as she arrives for a State visit.

Feb. 28, 1983 | Sierra Madre

Queen Elizabeth II shares a smile with 97-year-old Sibyl Jones-Bateman after the monarch was presented with a bouquet during tour of the British Home retirement community near Los Angeles.

March 3, 1983 | San Francisco

President Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth II raise their glasses in a toast during a state dinner at the M. H. de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park.

Ed Reinke/AP

March 5, 1983 | Yosemite, Calif.

Park superintendent Bob Binnewies points out highlights from Inspiration Point to Queen Elizabeth II during her visit to Yosemite National Park.

The queen, a horse racing enthusiast, landed in Kentucky five times between 1984 and 2007, according to the Courier-Journal . She was known to turn up at horse farms, admiring the mares and foals.

May 23, 1986 | Versailles, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II puts out her hand to her filly foal by the mare Christchurch and Alydar during a visit to Lane's End Farm.

May 27, 1986 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II exchanges pleasantries with a line of Fayette County (Ky.) and Kentucky State Troopers on the tarmac as prepares to depart following a five-day visit.

Amy Sancetta/Associated Press

May 26, 1989 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II is welcomed by a child upon her arrival during a private visit to the U.S.

David Banks

During her 1991 visit, Elizabeth addressed Congress. Lawmakers gave the monarch a standing ovation, while opponents of British occupation in Northern Ireland protested outside the Capitol.

May 14, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II and President George H.W. Bush review the troops after the Queen's arrival at the White House.

May 15, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II holds flowers presented to her at Drake Place, a housing project.

May 16, 1991 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II is applauded by Vice President Dan Quayle and House Speaker Thomas Foley before her address to the U.S. Congress.

Doug Mills/AP

Elizabeth’s last U.S. state visit came in 2007, when she arrived for the 400th anniversary of England establishing its first permanent North American settlement in Jamestown, Va.

She dined with then-president George W. Bush, watched the Kentucky Derby through bulletproof glass and checked out Washington memorials.

May 4, 2007 | Lexington, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip look out of the window of an SUV as they leave the Bluegrass Airport after arriving.

Morry Gash/AP

May 5, 2007 | Louisville, Ky.

Queen Elizabeth II chats with Prince Philip as Susan Lucci (black hat) looks on at the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs.

Rob Carr/AP

May 7, 2007, | Washington

President Bush smiles at Queen Elizabeth II before the start of a State Dinner at the White House.

Evan Vucci/AP

May 8, 2007 | Washington

Queen Elizabeth II and U.S. Park Service Director Mary Bomar walk around the National World War II Memorial during a visit by the Queen and Duke.

TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images

May 8, 2007 | Greenbelt, Md.

Queen Elizabeth II accepts flowers from children while walking during a visit to the Goddard Space Flight Center.

Larry Downing

Elizabeth made her final stop on American soil in 2010 to address the United Nations General Assembly. “I believe I was last here in 1957,” she deadpanned to her New York audience.

July 6, 2010 | New York

Queen Elizabeth II leaves a wreath of flowers at the site of the September 11, 2001 World Trade Center attack during her visit.

Lucas Jackson

Queen Elizabeth II speaks at the United Nations Headquarters.

Seth Wenig/AP

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GALLERY: Look back at Queen's Elizabeth II visits to Kentucky

With the news of Queen Elizabeth II's death, here is a look back on some of her visits to Kentucky.

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Queen Elizabeth's love of horses often brought her to Kentucky

Late british monarch visited us state five times between 1984 and 2007.

Queen Elizabeth II visits Lane's End horse farm in central Kentucky in 1984. Getty Images

During her more than 70-year reign, Queen Elizabeth II made several visits to the US as both princess and monarch, and while most of these visits were focused on meeting American leaders , she also found time to pursue her passion: horses.

One of her favourite destinations was the state of Kentucky, known around the world for its horse races and breeding programmes.

She visited the state a total of five times between 1984 and 2007, touring local stud farms and meeting some of horse racing's biggest names.

Her love for horses began when she was four years old after she was given a Shetland pony and grew adept at horseback riding, People reported. Throughout her life, the queen owned hundreds of horses, including numerous winning racehorses.

She was a regular on the UK horse show circuit, often attending the annual Royal Windsor Horse Show, the country's largest outdoor horse show.

Reagan laughs following a joke by Queen Elizabeth, who commented on the lousy California weather she has experienced since her arrival in the US. Getty Images

During her first visit to Kentucky in 1984, she visited Keeneland for the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup, the first race named in her honour, Lex18 reported. Lane's End Farm in Versailles hosted the queen during this visit.

Her second visit was to Hermitage Farm in Oldham County in May 1986. Bill Landes, who worked at Heritage Farm for 45 years, spent two months preparing for the visit and remembers his nerves when the queen arrived.

He recalled her keen questions and clear love of horses.

"When she got into that much detail [with her questions], that said it all," he told Kentucky's WLKY.

The queen paid another visit to central Kentucky in 1989, and then her fourth visit was in 1991, when she viewed stallions that could potentially breed with her mares, Lex18 reported.

Her final trip to the state came in 2007, when she attended the state's most beloved sporting event, the Kentucky Derby.

Those working at Churchill Downs in 2007 remember the queen's visit as an exciting and complex time. David Sweazy, vice president of operations for Churchill Downs in 2007, said the visit required the tightest security operation for any celebrity attending the event.

"Leading up to her arrival, we met for months and had 32 meetings with the British Secret Service, United States Secret Service, and local and state law enforcement," Mr Sweazy told The Courier Journal.

"On some days, we met multiple times to go over every detail of the queen's visit."

Public sightings of the queen at the event were rare, but when people did greet her, she waved and smiled in reply.

Queen Elizabeth died last week at the age of 96. Her funeral is due to take place on September 19, and all horse racing, the only major sport in the UK due to take place on that date, has been postponed, Sky Sports reported.

The queen with horses throughout the years — in pictures

Queen Elizabeth at the Royal Windsor Horse Show in Berkshire in May 2011. The queen, who had a lifelong passion for horses, was a keen racegoer as well as a successful owner and breeder who enjoyed many notable triumphs. AFP

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'The Crown' shows Queen Elizabeth visiting Kentucky. Here are the real trips it's based on

Queen Elizabeth II is known for her love of horse racing, and Netflix's new season of "The Crown" showcases that love in an episode featuring a visit to the U.S. state best known for the sport: Kentucky.

Many of the show's storylines are based on true historical events, including the Kentucky trip. However, while the episode takes place sometime during late 1967, the queen's visits to Kentucky didn't start until the 1980s.

During those visits, she stayed at Lane's End, a farm in Versailles owned by her friend William Farish and where she stabled horses. Farish met Prince Charles while playing polo and was introduced to the queen at a polo game she sponsored in England. Farish later served as ambassador to the United Kingdom from 2001 to 2004.

Who succeeds the queen? Who succeeds Queen Elizabeth II, more questions answered

In "The Crown," episode five of season three, titled "Coup," features the queen on a journey that takes her through Kentucky as she seeks to learn modern methods of the horse industry and revitalize her own horse racing operation.

In real life, she spent time during each of her visits looking at stallions as breeding potential for her mares, some of which she boarded in Kentucky, according to news reports from those times. Her press secretaries often described the trips as vacations — a time for the queen to relax and stay out of the public eye.

Kentucky Derby 2021: Everything you need to know about the Run for the Roses

In all, Queen Elizabeth has visited the commonwealth five times. Here's a look at each of those trips.

She visited Kentucky for the first time in October of 1984 to celebrate the inauguration of the race named in her honor, the Queen Elizabeth II Challenge Cup  at Keeneland. The Courier Journal reported at the time that it was her first visit to an American racetrack.

The cup was a $100,000 race for 3-year-old fillies. Today, it's $500,000. The queen reportedly expressed delight at the victory by Sintra, a Kentucky-bred horse.

Seth Hancock, one of the half-owners of Sintra, told a reporter, "The queen's a regular person, just like my mother and all the other classy ladies I've known in my life." The other half-owner, Renee Lickle, was more starstruck after her interaction with the queen.

"My hands were shaking so hard I couldn't even hold my binoculars straight," Lickle told The Courier Journal afterward, adding that she was speechless when the queen told her, "Good show."

After the race, Keeneland personnel simulated a yearling auction, using look-alike horses to re-create the sales of yearlings that went on to become prominent race horses in Europe.

Tom Hammond, the man who announced horses' pedigrees, told The Courier Journal afterward that the queen had asked him whether applause in the sales pavilion scares the horses and whether bid-spotters have trouble detecting who made which bid. Hammond said he answered "yes, sometimes," to both questions.

"She didn't seem stuffy at all," he reportedly said. "She seemed very gracious."

Aside from her race, the queen visited several Kentucky horse farms during the trip to view mares and stallions.

More: From celebrities to a packed infield, here are 5 things we'll miss at Kentucky Derby 2021

The queen returned to Kentucky in May 1986 for a "low-key" stay, according to The Associated Press. Before she arrived, The Courier Journal reported she was not planning on visiting any other part of the country during the trip.

About 200 people were at the airport to witness her arrival, including Gov. Martha Layne Collins, who greeted the queen and later sent matching silver mint julep cups to her at Lane's End as "a gift from the people of Kentucky."

Security was tight, and Queen Elizabeth only made a few public appearances aside from her arrival and departure.

She attended a service at St. John's Episcopal Church, though the service itself was limited to the church's members. Reporters were allowed access during her viewing of horses at Lane's End, when she got a "first look" at one of her mares and its foal.

British officials reportedly described her visit in 1989 as a "working holiday," and all her activities were private.

She visited about a dozen Central Kentucky horse farms to look at thoroughbreds, including a few mares she boarded. She was looking at stallions and considering them as possible sires for her royal horse-breeding operation.

British Embassy spokesman Francis Cornish told The Courier Journal in 1989 the queen was returning to Kentucky for two reasons: because Kentucky is unrivaled in its reputation as a horse-breeding state and because she "thoroughly enjoyed herself" during her previous two visits.

"She's enjoyed seeing the stallions," Cornish said. "She's enjoyed discussing horse breeding and she's very much enjoyed meeting the people who run these farms and own these farms."

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Queen Elizabeth stopped again in Versailles in 1991 for a private visit with Will and Sarah Farish at Lane's End. It was the end of her two-week official tour in the United States at the invitation of President George H.W. Bush.

She examined three stallions on the morning of May 24, according to a Courier Journal article describing the visit. She was again looking for stallions to breed with her mares for the following year and toured several other horse farms that day.

At Lane's End, she apparently was most impressed with Alysheba, the 1988 Kentucky Derby winner and Horse of the Year. Farm manager Mike Cline said she was commenting about how "refined" he was.

Will Farish said at the time that the queen's stay at Lane's End was "a real vacation for her" after a formal state visit.

Since the visit occurred during May, the announcement of her tour ignited rumors she would be attending the Kentucky Derby. Her trip ended up being after the Derby, but she did attend the famous race during her next visit.

Don't want to sound like a Derby newbie? Here's how to sound like a true insider

The queen's most recent trip to Kentucky and her first time in Louisville was in 2007 when she attended the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. This time, she traveled with her husband, Prince Philip.

The Derby was her only public event during that visit, but she flew under the radar with tight security for most of the day, and sightings seemed rare.

The Courier Journal reported the next day that "for most race fans, catching a glimpse of Queen Elizabeth II at Churchill Downs ... was more elusive than picking the Kentucky Derby winner." (Which was Street Sense, by the way.)

The 2007 Derby had a star-filled crowd, including sports stars Peyton Manning and Michael Jordan, actress Gabrielle Union and Kiss icon Gene Simmons. Many people interviewed at the track said they viewed Queen Elizabeth as just another celebrity guest, but track president Steve Sexton told The Sydney Morning Herald  she was "certainly the most prestigious guest" in the modern-day history of the Derby.

Contact Emma Austin at [email protected]  and 502-582-4180 or follow on Twitter  @emmacaustin . Support strong local journalism by subscribing today: subscribe.courier-journal.com .

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 'The Crown' Netflix show: Did Queen Elizabeth II visit Kentucky?

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Did you know Britain's longest-serving monarch made several visits to the Bluegrass State?

Since an early age, Queen Elizabeth II had a keen interest in horses. She came to Kentucky numerous times to spend time at the state's famous horse tracks: Churchill Downs and Keeneland.

We've compiled some videos from her stays over the years. Watch them below:

Queen Elizabeth II starts 1986 visit starts with sweet moment

These kentucky residents waited hours to see queen elizabeth ii in 1991, queen elizabeth ii made the her first visit to an american racetrack in 1984, the time queen elizabeth visited kentucky derby 133.

Queen Elizabeth makes visit to Churchill Downs

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Remembering Queen Elizabeth's 2007 Kentucky Derby Visit

A deep love for horses drew Queen Elizabeth II to Kentucky five times in her life.

With the 150th Kentucky Derby fast approaching, we're looking back on Queen Elizabeth II 's numerous visits to Kentucky—in particular, her 2007 visit to Louisville in which she experienced the "most exciting two minutes in sports."

The Louisville Courier Journal reports that Queen Elizabeth II's love for horses drew her to the Bluegrass State five times between 1984 and 2007. A lifelong equestrian, her final trip was to attend the 133rd Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs with her husband of 73 years, Prince Philip.

David Sweazy, vice president of operations for Churchill Downs in 2007, recalled the complex logistics of the prestigious visit to the Courier Journal . He revealed that bullet proof glass was even installed on the balcony of the Fourth Floor Stakes Room to protect the Queen when she stepped out.

"We've hosted presidents, dignitaries, and all sorts of celebrities but the Queen's visit required the highest level of involvement from a planning and security standpoint," Sweazy told the newspaper. "Leading up to her arrival, we met for months and had 32 meetings with the British Secret Service, United States Secret Service, and local and state law enforcement. On some days, we met multiple times to go over every detail of the Queen's visit."

In a tweet following the news of her death, Kentucky Derby called the visit "one of our most cherished #KyDerby memories."

Queen Elizabeth started horseback riding when she was just three years old. She even once described it as allowing her to be "just another human being." The monarch was also a savvy racehorse owner, netting more than 451 total wins and more than $9 million in prize money over the years.

 Britain's longest reigning monarch died September 8, 2022 at the age of 96.

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Mill Ridge Farm tells all about 57-year friendship with the Queen

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Many Kentuckians and people around the world are continuing to mourn Queen Elizabeth II. One of the world’s longest serving monarchs was passionate about many things including horses. Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington got to share that passion with the Queen for 57 years. 

What You Need To Know

The beginning of mill ridge farm’s relationship with queen elizabeth ii goes back to may 5, 1965 mill ridge farm has boarded and bred horses since 1962 headley bell is the son of alice headley chandler. he currently serves as the managing partner at the farm queen elizabeth ii visited kentucky five times.

Mill Ridge Farm in Lexington has a rich history of breeding stallions that dates back to 1962. The family’s friendship with Queen Elizabeth II goes back almost just as long.

On May 5, 1965, Alice Headley Chandler developed what would be called a lifelong friendship with the Queen. It started when a foal was born, later sold as a yearling at Keeneland for $42,000. That would make Chandler the first woman to breed an Epsom Derby winner sold at auction inside Keeneland. The Queen noticed after Mill Ridge Farm’s success training that foal later named Sir Ivor. Queen Elizabeth II wanted to send mares to breed with American Stallions, so she did just that to Mill Ridge Farm. Ever since Headley Bell , his family has been striving to follow his mother and grandfather’s legacy.

“It’s in our family and mom just said don’t disappoint me,” said Bell.

Bell grew up knowing a lot about horses. He now serves as the primary bloodstock agent of Nicoma Bloodstock and operates as the selling arm of Mill Ridge Farm. He heads to the annual Keeneland yearling sale, just like his mother did. It’s something he can’t remember the last time he missed one.

“These horses are worth a lot of money, but you know what people are buying? They’re buying the dream,” said Bell.

Bell grew up walking the halls of Keeneland while growing up on his family’s farm, which sits just four miles from the track. Now he’s the managing partner with his two brothers and living his mother and grandfather’s wildest dream. 

“It tells a story without me having to tell the story,” said Bell.

The story is one of a family legacy because Bell’s grandfather Hal Price Headley helped build Keeneland. Headley is a member of the Racing Hall of Fame as one of 12 Pillars of the Turf. He was the first president of the Thoroughbred Horse Association. Headley died in 1962, which gave his daughter—Bell’s mother, four mares and 286 acres of land which she founded as Mill Ridge Farm.

“Obviously you don’t do anything on your own, but he was instrumental in leading the charge to build a racetrack that was a model race track for the people,” said Bell.

The same race track Queen Elizabeth II fell in love with during her first visit to Kentucky in 1984 for the inaugural Queen Elizabeth II Stakes. After that, Bell’s mother, Alice Headley Chandler, her husband John Chandler and the Queen grew their friendship with each of her five visits to Kentucky. The Queen eventually sent five mares in 1986 to Mill Ridge for boarding and breeding with their American stallions. Her goal was to use American stallions for their speed and durability and weigh in on the trend spreading throughout Europe. In 1989, the Queen would return to Mill Ridge Farm to inspect her mares at the farm, of which she thought they looked well. 

“To know her [Queen Elizabeth II] in the horse world, we see her differently than other people would see her, and it’s important to know that,” said Bell.

After the passing of Bell’s mother last year, his desire to continue a family legacy was even stronger. His son Price Headley Bell Jr. now serves alongside him at Mill Ridge Farm and Nicoma Bloodstock as a bloodstock agent. This year, eight of the farm’s fillies are up for sale at Keeneland.

“It’s not like buying a house or even a car. You might spend five minutes watching this horse walk and that’s really about it,” said Bell.

His iPad shows all the lineage needed for people to pick future Derby winners. It’s an honor he doesn’t take lightly.

“It’s too big in our lives and too big in this community and you find when you go outside of this community, outside of the horse that you got something special,” said Bell.

Something so special the Queen even recognized it. Bell tells Spectrum News 1, he had the honor of meeting Queen Elizabeth II during two of her five visits to Kentucky. He encourages anyone who wants to learn more about Queen Elizabeth II and her love for horses to come visit his farm for tours and educational opportunities. You can view Mill Ridge Farm’s website.

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IMAGES: Queen Elizabeth II at the Kentucky Derby during her 2007 U.S. visit

Central Kentuckians recall the Queen’s visits to Kentucky

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - As a fan of horses, Queen Elizabeth II made multiple trips to Kentucky. Her final trip to the commonwealth came in 2007.

Scott Lanter, the vice president of public safety and operations at Blue Grass Airport, worked on every one of the Queen’s visits. He said back in the 1980s, he was simply told what to do, but by her 2007 visit for the Kentucky Derby, he himself had the honor of being the point person for that trip.

Lanter walked our crew through history on Thursday, showing us pictures from the Queen’s visits through the airport. He told us if you think coordinating trips for presidential candidates, or even vice presidents and presidents themselves is a lot of work, it’s nothing compared to the weeks of work that went into coordinating the Queen’s visits to Kentucky.

For example, in 2007, airport staff met every day for two weeks prior to the visit just to secure flight plans. Lanter said a cool tidbit is nowadays, British military have their own private VIP plane, But Queen Elizabeth used to fly on British Airway aircraft.

They created what was called the “Queen’s Package,” so in 2007, when they knew the Queen had to fly internationally, they went into a plan and fit the entire aircraft with security and amenities packages that were fit for royalty.

His work on those trips is something Lanter said he’ll never forget.

“It’s kind of scary, but humbling to know that they trust you with taking care of her. I didn’t get to talk to her directly, but in close proximity you just could tell she was a kind, humble person. Everyone she met, she tried to get on their level. And I was just very impressed by that,” Lanter said.

Well-known horse trainer Wesley Ward told us his love of racing brought him together with the Queen several times.

He’s won many races, but it’s his times at the Royal Ascot he’s reminiscing on. He said he was so nervous the first time he was told the Queen was requesting a word with him.

“As soon as we started talking, you know, I was real nervous. She started asking me a million questions, just like any racing fan would ask. Just makes you feel real, real comfortable,” Ward said. “I was just answering all of her questions. Then about 5, 10 minutes in, I started thinking to myself, ‘Man, I’m sitting next to the Queen of England.’”

Ward watched his colt No Nay Never win in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2013.

“Immediately after we took the winner circle picture, they said the Queen would request my presence,” Ward said.

Ward must have impressed Queen Elizabeth with his knowledge of the sport as he was asked back the following race. Again, seated right next to the Queen.

“A guy came with white gloves. He picked the trophy up and he went to take it down. We’re still sitting here talking and I notice her eyes kind of drifting off,” Ward said. “So I knew she had a horse in the race. So I reached down, I thought her horse had a chance, so I reached down. I touched her knee and said, ‘Don’t you worry. That trophy is going to come right back here. It’s coming back to you. She said, ‘Really? You think so?’ I said, ‘Yeah. I do.’ Well, she ended up winning the race. But what I didn’t know is you’re not supposed to touch the Queen. I looked back behind me and everyone’s got their jaw open. I just didn’t know that until afterwards.”

The Queen even presented Ward with a trophy after one of his Royal Ascot wins. He said she took the time to meet and get to know his kids, as well.

Scott Lanter at Blue Grass Airport walks us through history today, telling us about Queen Elizabeth’s visits to Kentucky through the airport. He describes it as humbling experience to be trusted with ensuring her safety on her trips. @WKYT pic.twitter.com/URiRnYUzCo — Grason Passmore WKYT (@GrasonWkyt) September 8, 2022

Copyright 2022 WKYT. All rights reserved.

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QUEEN ELIZABETH VISITING KENTUCKY HORSE FARMS

• Oct. 8, 1984

Queen Elizabeth II, a top breeder of thoroughbred horses in Britain, began a private six-day visit today to some of America's noted stud farms.

The Queen was greeted in the rain at Blue Grass Airport by Gov. Martha Layne Collins, Mayor Scotty Baesler and Sarah and William S. Farish 3d, at whose farm the Queen is staying.

About 200 people lined a nearby fence to get a glimpse of the Queen's arrival at 4:40 P.M. Prince Philip, who had been with his wife on a tour of Canada, was bound for the Middle East.

Carrying her own umbrella, the Queen shook hands and exchanged greetings with the 10 people in the receiving line. 'Delighted' to Visit

''She said she was delighted to be here and she was aware that we needed this rain for our crops,'' said Mrs. Collins, who presented her with a leatherbound book about Kentucky. ''It didn't dampen her spirits at all. She was very gracious. She mentioned that she had been in the States before, and it had rained every day she was here.''

Mr. Baesler said the idea of greeting British royalty was always impressive. ''There's certainly an aura about it that's hard to describe,'' he said. ''You see a lot of your own history right there. A lot of U.S. history is tied up with her history.''

Despite the private nature of the visit, security arrangements are tight, the authorities say. Secret Service agents have been in the area for weeks and warn that reporters and sightseers will be arrested if they venture onto properties where the Queen is visiting or try to fly overhead. 'A Pretty Big Job'

''From what I've seen, it's every bit as big as what we do for the Vice President or the President or somebody like that,'' Capt. Larry Walsh of the Lexington police said. ''It's a pretty big job.''

The Queen, a leading owner of thoroughbreds and expert on blood lines, plans to spend her time touring leading Bluegrass horse farms. On Thursday she is to present a trophy to the winners of a race named for her.

The Queen, who is bringing only a small staff, will stay in a 19th-century country mansion at Lane's End Farm outside Versailles. A spokesman indicated that the Queen would go out only by day and attend none of the lavish parties common among Lexington horse farmers.

Nonetheless, her private visit touched off a flurry of weeding, planting, raking, sweeping and building. Even the airport runways were cleaned, and officials did their best to cover up the rubble from an expansion project still under way.

''We've been working with the embassy for six months,'' said James Brough, director of the airport. ''We've got everything worked out, and hopefully everything will go like clockwork. We just want to put our best foot forward, like everybody else.''