Throughout the second half of the 20th century, William & Mary has retained its historic ties to the United Kingdom and that state's royal family. In 1954, Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother visited William & Mary as part of her tour of the United States, becoming the first member of the royal family to visit the college. In 1957, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, visited the college to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown. Queen Elizabeth gave a speech from the balcony of the Wren Building that drew over 20,000 people, the largest crowd ever seen in the city. In 1981, Charles, Prince of Wales, visited to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the Battle of Yorktown. In 1988, the United States Congress selected William & Mary to send a delegation to the United Kingdom for the 300th anniversary of the ascension of King William III and Queen Mary II. Prince Charles would return to the college in 1993 for the 300th anniversary of William & Mary. William & Mary sent a delegation to meet with Queen Elizabeth II that same year. Former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher would be made the Chancellor of the College of William & Mary that same year. In 2007, Elizabeth II and Prince Philip would visit the college for a second time to recognize the 400th anniversary of the landing at Jamestown. In 2022, a beacon was lit in front of the Wren Building to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.
throughout the second half of the 20th century william & mary has retained its historic ties to the united kingdom and that state's royal family in 1954 queen elizabeth the queen mother visited william & mary as part of her tour of the united states becoming the first member of the royal family to visit the college in 1957 queen elizabeth ii and prince philip duke of edinburgh visited the college to commemorate the 350th anniversary of the landing at jamestown queen elizabeth gave a speech from the balcony of the wren building that drew over 20000 people the largest crowd ever seen in the city in 1981 charles prince of wales visited to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the battle of yorktown in 1988 the united states congress selected william & mary to send a delegation to the united kingdom for the 300th anniversary of the ascension of king william iii and queen mary ii prince charles would return to the college in 1993 for the 300th anniversary of william & mary william & mary sent a delegation to meet with queen elizabeth ii that same year former prime minister margaret thatcher would be made the chancellor of the college of william & mary that same year in 2007 elizabeth ii and prince philip would visit the college for a second time to recognize the 400th anniversary of the landing at jamestown in 2022 a beacon was lit in front of the wren building to celebrate the platinum jubilee of queen elizabeth ii