In her new book, “The Kennedys and the Windsors,” author Caroline Hallemann delves into the surprising connections between two of the 20th century’s most iconic women: Jacqueline Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II. Although their friendship did not start off on the right foot, Hallemann reveals that the two women shared many common interests and experiences that allowed them to develop a mutually respectful relationship.
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The initial meeting between Jackie Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth in June 1961 was marked by a sense of disappointment on Jackie’s part. The First Lady visited Buckingham Palace alongside her husband, President John F. Kennedy, as part of their itinerary for an overseas trip. Accompanied by her sister, Lee Radziwill, who was residing in London at the time, Jackie arrived at the palace full of excitement but left underwhelmed.
“Jackie was very thrilled to meet the Queen,” Hallemann explains in an interview, “but she was just slightly disappointed that the palace wasn’t grander.” This first encounter did not create a strong bond, as Jackie reportedly felt the Queen’s hairstyle was “too flat,” a sentiment shared privately among her acquaintances. Unfortunately, initial impressions did little to kindle friendship between the two women.
Fortunately, the ice began to thaw when Jackie returned to Buckingham Palace the following year after a visit to India and Pakistan. During this second meeting, the atmosphere shifted, allowing for a more amiable interaction. Over lunch, the two women discovered a shared passion for horses. “They had a great lunch, in part because they talked at length about horses,” Hallemann notes. This conversation laid the groundwork for a more genuine connection, as both women felt their most authentic selves while riding.
Hallemann highlights horse riding as a common theme that bridged their differences. “Many people have said that when they were with horses, that was when they felt the most themselves,” she reflects. This shared interest allowed Jackie and Elizabeth to move past their earlier awkwardness and foster a friendship built on deeper understandings.
Despite her earlier levity about the Queen’s humanity, Jackie found more substantive discussions with Elizabeth, particularly when it came to the challenges of being in the public eye. During their state visit to Canada, the Queen candidly acknowledged the pressures that both women faced. “One gets crafty after a while and learns how to save oneself,” Elizabeth advised Jackie, illustrating the shared struggles of their high-profile lives.
Hallemann’s research into their lives reveals several striking parallels between Jackie and Elizabeth, as well as their respective families. Both women were navigating the complexities of motherhood while functioning in the public eye, and they held positions of influence without wielding true political power. “They were two women with young children in the public eye who had great proximity to power and soft diplomacy,” Hallemann explains.
Jackie Kennedy is often remembered as a glamorous figure of the 1960s, renowned for her fashion sense and sophistication. She was seen as an asset to the Kennedy administration, bringing a notable appreciation for the arts and multiple languages to her role as First Lady. “Jackie had such an image at that moment,” Hallemann notes. “She was a style icon.”
In contrast, Queen Elizabeth had been fulfilling her role for a longer period of time, fully aware of the lifelong commitment it entailed. “Jackie stepped onto the stage—so glamorous and vivacious—and blew people away,” Hallemann observes. Yet, Jackie’s tenure as First Lady was relatively brief compared to Elizabeth’s longstanding reign.
The exploration of these similarities and differences between Jackie Kennedy and Queen Elizabeth II offers fascinating insights into their lives and the pressures they faced as women at the forefront of their nations during a transformative era. The evolution of their relationship, rooted in shared experiences, illustrates how friendship can blossom even in the most unexpected circumstances. As Hallemann concludes, their alliance serves as a reminder of the resilience and camaraderie often forged between women navigating the complexities of public life.