40 Incredible Photos Of Celebs Visiting Buckingham Palace For The First Time
1937: Kathleen, Rose, and Rosemary Kennedy
While Joseph Kennedy served as the United States Ambassador to the United Kingdom, his family paid Buckingham Palace a visit. Here, his daughters and wife, Rose, leave the royal residence following an event in 1937.
1942: Eleanor Roosevelt
Less than a year after America entered World War II, the First Lady met with King George VI, the Queen Mother, and a young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret. Roosevelt was in England to learn about British war efforts, as well as visit U.S. troops stationed there.
Circa 1943: Margaret Lockwood
Margaret Lockwood, one of the most popular actresses of the '40s, escorts three American servicemen on a trip to Buckingham Palace.
1945: Marjorie Lawrence
The Queen Mother and her daughters, Princesses Elizabeth and Margaret, chat with the Australian singer during a party.
1955: Eartha Kitt
Eartha Kitt was photographed outside the front gates of the palace, just three years before she performed for the Queen, as one of the guests at the 1958 Royal Variety Performance.
1955: Susan Hampshire
The English actress dresses to the nines for the Presentation Party—a debutante ball that's no longer held today.
1957: Jayne Mansfield
The Old Hollywood icon looks ecstatic to meet Queen Elizabeth during the Royal Film Performance, an annual event at the palace celebrating the industry's biggest names.
1957: Sophia Loren
Also at the event that year was actress Sophia Loren, seen here chatting with the British monarch in a white ensemble.
1961: President John F. Kennedy and Jacqueline Kennedy
During his first year in the White House, President Kennedy and First Lady Jackie Kennedy paid the royals a visit. Here, they chat with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip at a dinner party in the Drawing Room.
1965: The Beatles
Paul, John, George, and Ringo were all honored with MBE medals (The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) in 1965. They took photos in the palace with their awards afterwards.
1968: Fred Astaire
The Old Hollywood actor draws a crowd as he films the final scene of Midas Run right outside the palace gates.
1968: Vanessa Redgrave
Exactly a decade after beginning her acting career, Redgrave was honored with a CBE (Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire) award.
1970: Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton
The then-spouses exchange a look outside the palace, where Burton had just received an award.
1971: David Cassidy
Heartthrob David Cassidy went on a European tour in the early '70s. He was so popular, in fact, that he turned down an invitation to meet the Queen!
1973: Tom Chapin
Singer Tom Chapin takes his guitar to the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace, to perform on the Disney show Make a Wish.
1976: Bing Crosby
During a set of London charity concerts, Bing Crosby stopped to chat with Prince Philip. He brought his son, Harry, daughter, Mary Francis, and singer/actress Rosemary Clooney with him—a.k.a. George Clooney's aunt!
1976: KISS
In 1976, Gene Simmons and the gang brought their iconic look to the gates of the palace. They were in London for their very first gig in the U.K.
1977: The Sex Pistols
The following year, another iconic rock group paid a visit. The group signs their new recording contract in front of the palace, as a policeman tries to chase them away. They later released the controversial song, "God Save the Queen."
1977: President Jimmy Carter
During his first year in the White House, President Jimmy Carter attended a state dinner with the Queen and Prince Philip. He broke royal protocol when he kissed the Queen Mother on the lips. "I took a sharp step backwards—not quite far enough," the royal famously said after the incident.
1979: Olivia Newton-John
One year after Grease took the world by storm, Queen Elizabeth honored Olivia Newton-John with an OBE award (Officer of the Order of the British Empire).
1981: Willard Scott, Jane Pauley, and Tom Brokaw
The famous anchors look over notes as they prepare to cover Prince Charles and Princess Diana's wedding for NBC's Today.
1991: Mark Wahlberg
Back when he was Marky Mark, the rapper-turned-actor was snapped taking in the sights while on a trip to England.
1992: David Threlfall
The British actor poses outside Buckingham Palace the year before Diana: Her True Story was released. In the movie, which explored Princess Diana's deepest thoughts about her royal life and marriage, Threlfall played Prince Charles.
1995: Sir Cliff Richard
The British singer high-fives fans after receiving a knighthood. He's considered one of the most successful musicians of all time, selling over 250 million records worldwide.
2000: Stephen Sondheim
The legendary composer behind musicals like West Side Story, Gypsy, and Into the Woods is greeted by Queen Elizabeth. The monarch was meeting all recipients of the Praemium Imperiale award, an honor given out by the Japan Art Association to those who do great things for the arts.
2000: Julie Andrews and Elizabeth Taylor
In 2000, the iconic ladies received awards at the palace for their contributions to the arts—and they were both given the title of Dame!
2002: Shirley Bassey and Ozzy Osbourne
The singer whispers to Prince William—with Prince Harry and Ozzy Osbourne nearby—at the Golden Jubilee. The concert commemorated 50 years of Queen Elizabeth's reign.
2003: David and Victoria Beckham
The soccer star leaves Buckingham Palace after receiving an OBE award for his achievements in the sport. In 2017, Victoria would go on to receive the same honor from Prince William, this time for her contributions to the fashion industry.
2005: Judi Dench
Dame Judi Dench shares a sweet moment with Queen Elizabeth, after being given the Insignia of a Companion of Honor.
2007: Jerry Hall
The model, along with director and Miami Vice actor Don Johnson, meets the British monarch at a reception specifically for Americans in the U.K. Shortly after, the Queen headed to the U.S. for a state visit.
2009: President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama
Months after his inauguration, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama were welcomed to Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip.
2011: Hugh Jackman
The Wolverine star greets Queen Elizabeth in the White Drawing Room of Buckingham Palace in 2011. He was there for a reception honoring Australians living in the United Kingdom.
2012: Paul McCartney
The Beatle made a return to Buckingham Palace in 2012, when he performed for the royal family at the Diamond Jubilee, a concert marking Queen Elizabeth's 60th year as monarch.
2012: Elton John
Also performing that night was the Rocket Man himself, Sir Elton John.
2014: Angelina Jolie
After years of memorable acting roles and philanthropy work, the Queen gifted Jolie with an Honorary Dame Grand Cross award in the 1844 Room of the palace.
2014: Joss Stone
The singer shares her thoughts with Prince William at the launch of The Queen's Young Leaders Programme. Stone has remained close with the royal family throughout the years, and attended both Prince William and Prince Harry's weddings.
2014: Helen Mirren
The actress—who won an Academy Award for playing Queen Elizabeth in 2006's The Queen—laughs with Kate Middleton. Standing with them is broadcasting icon Sir David Attenborough.
2017: Tom Cruise
In 2017, Tom Cruise and Prince Philip share a laugh at the 75th anniversary dinner for the Outward Bound Trust, an outdoor youth leadership program.
2017: Idris Elba
Prince Charles chats with actor Idris Elba and his now-wife, Sabrina Dhowre, at the One Million Young Lives dinner. The event celebrated a global campaign to help disadvantaged youth.
2018: Kylie Minogue
The singer is all smiles as Prince William comes over for a chat at a reception for the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust in 2018.
2022: Mel B
The singer and former Spice Girl shows off her MBE award, given to her by Prince William. She later shared that the two "had a giggle" during the ceremony.
Celebrities like the Kennedys, Jayne Mansfield, and Elton John have all visited Buckingham Palace, meeting Queen Elizabeth or other royal family members.