This week King Charles III and his wife make an official visit to Washington DC to commemorate the 250th birthday of the United States.
His grandparents, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth (aka the Queen Mother) also arrived in the nation’s capital in June 1939. That visit was especially significant, as it was the first time a British monarch had come to the United States since the American Revolution. (I don’t think any came before the Revolution, but I’m quoting today’s Washington Post.)
Girl Scouts Go to the White House
Of course, the Girl Scouts were on hand to greet them. About 3,000 of them, including two dozen chosen for an honor guard.
Fifteen-year old Leah Burket was given the prized job of presenting Queen Elizabeth with a bouquet of flowers as the royal couple left the White House.
A Royal Review
Following a parade down Constitution and Pennsylvania Avenues, the royal pair traveled to the White House to visit President and Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt.
After their meeting with the Roosevelts, the royal couple stepped into their open-top limousine at the south entrance of the White House en route to a garden party at the British Embassy. First, however, they greeted the Scouts assembled on the South Lawn.
More than 10,000 local Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts were arranged along the driveway, and the royal couple reviewed the youth as their chauffeur circled the driveway.
Leah’s Big Moment
At the appointed time, Leah stepped forward and presented Her Majesty with a bouquet of forget-me-nots, pink sweet peas, and lilies of the valley tied with a pale pink cord. The Queen asked to shake Leah’s hand.
What Girl Scout Badge is That?
Her Majesty was enchanted by Leah and paused the procession for a closer look at one of Leah’s badges.
“Then she asked how many badges I had, and I said there were 15 on this uniform. She asked about one in particular. That is the book-finder badge. She told me that her daughter Elizabeth [the late Queen Elizabeth II] is working for her badges.” Leah, who said she was too excited to faint, replied, “You must be very proud of her.”
Queen Elizabeth asked Leah about her Book Finder badge. Requirements included learning about the Library of Congress and copyright law.
… and a Boy Scout, too
Full disclosure, there was a Boy Scout, Fred D. Carl, who greeted the King. Carl presented the royal with a fossil shark tooth, a scroll, and a neckerchief slide carved from a Mt. Vernon walnut.
But back the important story …
Celebrity and Service
Leah became quite the celebrity. Her photo with the royals was reproduced around the world. Life magazine, for example, published a five-page feature on the visit in its June 19, 1939, issue. Leah recalled getting letters containing the clipping from people across the United States, as well as from Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and India. She became pen pals with several of them and learned about the hardships many people faced in war-torn Britain.
The event was even included in her 1940 high school yearbook, The Silverlogue.
(Facebook alumni groups)
Leah put her Girl Scout leadership skills to work to organize a “Bundles for Britain” dance at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, Maryland in 1940. This was held in the old Wayne Avenue building, which opened in 1935.
Bundles for Britain was a national movement that sent packages of warm clothing, first aid kits, and other items to British families. Inspired by Leah, the Silver Spring Young Men’s Democratic Club and the Indian Springs Country Club also held similar dances.
Three cheers for Leah Burket!
© 2026 Ann Robertson, writer, editor, Girl Scout historian, but NOT a Girl Scout employee.
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