The Kennedys and the Crown: How America’s first family became entwined with the house of Windsor and British high society

The Kennedy name first became known in British high society with the arrival of Joe, whom Roosevelt appointed as ambassador to the UK from 1938 to late 1940. Accompanied by his wife Rose, a masterful socialite, and their nine children, the new ambassador was flooded with invitations in London, to balls, dinners and regattas with new friends like the Astors (American-born Nancy Astor was a particularly close friend).

Their daughter, Kathleen, nicknamed Kick, was dubbed London’s ‘debutante of 1938’ at Queen Charlotte’s Ball. Educated at Queen’s College, she quickly cultivated a wide circle of friends and suitors, and was admired for her spirit and wit, paving the way for lifelong popularity in London society.

Ambassador to Britain, Joseph Kennedy and his wife, Rose Kennedy attending a reception at the French embassy in London

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The highlight was perhaps a weekend at Windsor Castle with King George VI; dressing for the evening at Windsor, Joe is said to have paused and said to his wife, ‘This is a hell of a long way from East Boston, isn’t it?’ This special relationship soured dramatically when the Second World War broke out in September 1939. Kennedy was publicly doubtful about Britain’s strength against Germany. He resigned later that year and returned to the US.

But Kick couldn’t stay away. She found her way back to the UK in 1943 by working for the Red Cross, growing more and more independent from her family and strict Catholic upbringing. She eventually married William Cavendish, Marquess of Hartington, the heir apparent to the Duke of Devonshire, in May 1944, despite her mother’s disapproval over his Anglican faith.