During all the tributes and stories on the death of Queen Elizabeth II, many media outlets — somewhat surprisingly given how liberal the press is generally — fondly commented on the enduring and close friendship between President Ronald Reagan and the Queen, calling the conservative icon “the best,” the man who “got the relationship right,” and was Elizabeth’s “favorite.”
On CBS Mornings, Friday, chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes recounted, “Perhaps no president got the relationship right more than Ronald Reagan who stayed and played with the Queen at Windsor Castle. The pair also shared laughs in California where her majesty hosted the Reagans aboard her royal yacht.”
On MSNBC’s Jose Diaz-Balart Reports, PBS's Geoff Bennett began by praising the Queen: “By being such an enduring figure, she in many ways provided U.S. presidents a connection to their predecessors, and she was an example of what a life devoted to public service can look like.”
Bennett then highlighted the enduring nature of the Queen’s friendship with Reagan:
I think you could argue that Ronald Reagan likely had the best relationship with her, given that their friendship extended beyond his presidency. The two of them bonded over a shared love of horses. You know, she was an English rider. He was that western cowboy, at least in the movies and back in 1982 he was the first U.S. President to spend the night in Windsor Castle.
Over on the conservative Newsmax’s Wake Up America, historian and bestselling author Craig Shirley appeared to recount the bond between the two leaders:
Reagan once said that one of the perks of being an office was the morning rides with Queen Elizabeth and they went and they went frequently morning rides. And that's part of the reason they bonded because their loved the outdoors and because the love of horses, so they became fast friends after that. You know, she always wrote her letters to Reagan. She'd call him “Mr. President,” but she signed off and say, “Your dear friend, Elizabeth.”
Asked if Reagan was her favorite, Shirley responded, “Without a doubt. Most people will tell you he was her favorite President.”
Ronald Reagan and Queen Elizabeth remain icons in both countries. And despite the liberal media’s attempt to run down the 40th President, he clearly made a friend in Britain’s royal family.
Partial transcripts are below. Click “expand” to read more.
MSNBC's Jose Diaz-Balart Reports
09/09/2022
10:21 a.m. EasternGEOFF BENNETT: And the Queen, by being such an enduring figure, she in many ways provided U.S. Presidents a connection to their predecessors, and she was an example of what a life devoted to public service can look like even with all of the royal trappings that were available to her because she was the Queen.
And just, you know, reflecting on modern presidential history, I think you could argue that Ronald Reagan likely had the best relationship with her, given that their friendship extended beyond his presidency. The two of them bonded over a shared love of horses. You know, she was an English rider. He was that western cowboy, at least in the movies and back in 1982 he was the first U.S. President to spend the night in Windsor Castle.
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CBS Mornings
09/09/2022
8:20 a.m. EasternNANCY CORDES: Perhaps no President got the relationship right more than Ronald Reagan who stayed and played with the Queen at Windsor Castle. The pair also shared laughs in California where her majesty hosted the Reagans aboard her royal yacht.
------------------------------------------------Newsmax's Wake Up America
09/09/2022
7:24 a.m. EasternCRAIG SHIRLEY: Reagan once said that one of the perks of being an office was the morning rides with Queen Elizabeth and they went and they went frequently morning rides. And that's part of the reason they bonded because their loved the outdoors and because the love of horses, so they became fast friends after that. You know, she always wrote her letters to Reagan. She'd call him “Mr. President,” but she signed off and saying, “your dear friend Elizabeth.”
ROB FINNERTY: Craig, do you think that was the closest Craig Craig just five seconds? Do you think that was the closest relationship she had with an American President was her eight years with Ronald Reagan?
CRAIG SHIRLEY: Without a doubt. Most people will tell you he was her favorite President.
