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Queen's Advice to Jackie Kennedy: 'Save Yourself'
23 Jun
Summary
- Queen Elizabeth II advised Jackie Kennedy to 'save yourself'.
- The advice was given during a 1961 meeting at Buckingham Palace.
- Both women bonded over their shared love for horses.
Queen Elizabeth II shared a piece of advice with Jackie Kennedy during their 1961 meeting at Buckingham Palace. When Kennedy expressed struggles with the public eye, the Queen advised her to "save yourself," a lesson in managing fame for the long haul. This interaction occurred when Kennedy accompanied her husband, President John F. Kennedy, on an official visit.
Initially, Kennedy was reportedly underwhelmed by Buckingham Palace's grandeur. Her friend Cecil Beaton noted she found the royals kind but was unimpressed by the decor and the Queen's attire. Royal commentator Meredith Constant suggested Kennedy had perhaps romanticized the British monarchy.
Despite initial reservations, the two women developed a bond, notably over their shared passion for horses. Relations between them softened over time, with Queen Elizabeth II greatly admiring Kennedy's resilience following President Kennedy's assassination in 1963.
The Queen's respect was further demonstrated by the dedication of the Kennedy Memorial at Runnymede in May 1965. She also ordered a week of mourning for President Kennedy, a rare honor for a non-royal and an American, after his assassination.
