A new book by veteran political journalist Susan Page chronicles the extraordinary bond between Queen Elizabeth II and thirteen American presidents—and reveals how the monarch sought to understand the political rise of Donald Trump during a conversation with Barack Obama.
The revelation appears in “The Queen and Her Presidents: The Hidden Hand That Shaped History,” which chronicles the late monarch’s unprecedented relationships with American leaders over her 70 years on the throne. Susan Page, the award-winning Washington Bureau Chief of USA Today and New York Times best-selling author, spent years uncovering how Queen Elizabeth navigated seven decades of Anglo-American relations, from President Harry Truman through President Trump.
The book, published by Harper on April 14, 2026—arriving around the 100th anniversary of Elizabeth’s birth on April 21, 2026—goes far beyond the familiar image of a reserved monarch in colorful hats. Page portrays the Queen as a skilled strategist and deft diplomat who, like many powerful women, was routinely underestimated but proved instrumental in maintaining Great Britain’s global influence even as its empire declined.
No American or foreign leader met with as many sitting U.S. presidents as Queen Elizabeth II. She met with President Gerald R. Ford at the White House, along with four of his predecessors and eight of his successors—more U.S. presidents than any other person in history. Her reign witnessed pivotal moments in the U.S.-U.K. alliance, from the Suez crisis to Brexit.
The only president during her reign she never met? Lyndon Baines Johnson. According to the White House Historical Association, “Queen Elizabeth II never met President Lyndon Johnson during his presidency.” The Queen was pregnant with Prince Edward when President Kennedy was assassinated and could not attend the funeral. Johnson rarely traveled to Europe during his term, focused instead on Asia during the Vietnam War, and the Queen did not visit the United States between 1957 and 1976.
Following advice from her mentor Winston Churchill to “stay close to the Americans,” Queen Elizabeth played an unexpected behind-the-scenes role that has never been thoroughly explored until now. Page reveals her as more than a ceremonial figure—she was a shrewd judge of character and a skilled mimic who wielded considerable “soft power” on the world stage.
President Trump, who received a state visit from the Queen in 2019, spoke candidly with Page about their interactions. He recalled pressing her repeatedly about which president or prime minister had been her favorite, only to receive graceful deflections each time. “I couldn’t get her to say a bad thing about anybody,” Trump told Page. “She was amazing, actually.”
Trump admitted being dazzled by her diplomatic restraint. “She was sort of the opposite of me. She didn’t mix it up,” he acknowledged. “She was there for so many decades, and she literally never made a mistake.”
Page’s research illuminates how the Queen developed from a shy, anxious young princess into a powerful and persuasive global leader. American presidents played a significant role in that transformation—Harry Truman and Dwight Eisenhower offered almost paternal support and advice as the young monarch assumed the crown after her father’s death. Meanwhile, she simultaneously shaped their understanding of international diplomacy and British interests.
The book examines her sunny encounter with Jerry and Betty Ford during the Bicentennial celebration, her influential friendship with Ronald Reagan during the Cold War built on their shared love of horses, and her hand-in-glove cooperation with John F. Kennedy. Page also explores how Richard Nixon sought the Queen’s help during Watergate—and even wanted to make her a relative.
Page will discuss her findings at several upcoming events. She appears in conversation with Lesley Stahl, a correspondent for “60 Minutes” and former CBS News White House correspondent, at The New York Historical Society on April 21, 2026—Queen Elizabeth’s centenary birthday. Tickets are priced at $35 for the general public and $25 for members.
Additional presentations are scheduled at Southern Methodist University’s Center for Presidential History on April 29, supported by the Scott Hawkins Fund of the Dedman College Interdisciplinary Institute. Page will also appear at the Gerald R. Ford Presidential Museum in Grand Rapids, Michigan, on May 22, following a May 21 event at the Ford Presidential Library.
The book features an 8-page color photo insert and retails for $32.00 in hardcover, with a Kindle edition available for $14.99. Page, who has covered twelve presidential elections and interviewed the past ten presidents, moderated the 2020 vice-presidential debate between Mike Pence and Kamala Harris.
With President Trump now serving his second term alongside Vice President JD Vance, the historical context of how previous presidents navigated the special relationship with Britain carries particular relevance. Page’s work analyzes how Queen Elizabeth exerted political influence over nearly three quarters of a century, maintaining her role as perhaps the most effective force preserving Great Britain’s voice in international affairs while remaining within the constitutional bounds of her position.
For those interested in presidential history and the evolution of one of the world’s most important bilateral relationships, Page’s research provides an unprecedented look at how one woman shaped modern Anglo-American relations through sheer force of personality, intelligence, and strategic thinking across generations of American leadership.