The Queen's Official Visit to the University of Virginia and Monticello, 1976

Courtesy: Library of Virginia

On May 3-4, 2007, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II will make her 257th official trip — this time to Virginia — in recognition of the 400th anniversary of Jamestown, the nation’s first permanent English settlement

In 1976, The Queen and Prince Philip visited the USA during the nation's Bicentennial. After a whirlwind visit to Philadelphia, Washington, D.C., Newark, N.J. and New York City, July 6-9, they visited the University of Virginia in Charlottesville on July 10.

At a ceremony at Cabell House on the UVA campus, The Queen granted a devisal - a document that authenticates a code of arms - from her College of Arms to the Commonwealth of Virginia and to the Senate of Virginia concerning the armorial bearings used by the Virginia Company of London and later by the Royal Colony and Dominion of Virginia. (The Queen's Speech in Charlottesville, 1976 Queen's Visit file.)

The Queen and Prince Philip walked on the Lawn, visited with students and attended a reception in the Rotunda. An estimated 18,000 people came to watch The Queen. Afterwards, Virginia Gov. Mills E. Godwin and Mrs. Godwin gave a luncheon for about 200 guests in the dome room of the Rotunda. (Programme for the State visit of The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh to the United States of America 1976.)

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh then toured Monticello, the home of Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence. Members of the Virginia General Assembly and their spouses were introduced, and Frederick F. Nolting Jr., chairman of the board of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial Foundation, presented a pair of silver goblets to The Queen.

It was reported that the crowd seemed "awestruck by the queen." And many said that they had "goosebumps when they saw her."