Today marks a historic day over in the United Kingdom, as citizens all over Europe come together to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee. 

Back in February of this year, the Queen officially became the first British monarch to serve seventy years on the throne, cementing her place as the UK’s longest-ruling monarch of all time (before that was her grandmother Queen Victoria, who served sixty-three years. Go, ladies!). Today, celebrations are taking place all over England to celebrate her historic milestone.

Her Majesty has visited the United States a few times over her seventy-year reign, but did she ever visit our hometown of Buffalo?

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The answer is, almost. 

According to The Buffalo News, the Queen came very close to Western New York when she traveled across the pond to mark an official opening of the Saint Lawrence Seaway in 1959. Afterward, she would embark on a tour of her commonwealth of Canada.

News reports at the time stated that the closest Queen Elizabeth would be to Western New York was just over the border in Hamilton, Ontario on July 2, 1959 - almost sixty-three years ago. She had previously visited Hamilton back in 1951 when she was Princess Elizabeth. She would later visit Hamilton again in 2002.

Due to her age and frail health, it’s unlikely that we’ll ever get to see Queen Elizabeth II on the streets of Buffalo. However, our royal luck may change in the coming years when the monarchy is passed to her son Prince Charles, her grandson Prince William, or her great-grandson Prince George.

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Gallery Credit: Val Townsend

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