Old secret records released by the British government offer an insight into the complex planning of a one-day visit to Britain by President John F. Kennedy on June 29, 1963.

A file of letters, memos and telegrams that flew between government departments in Whitehall and to and from the White House cover subjects from the historic to the mundane — including the president's bed pillows.

Kennedy spent the day at Birch Grove, Prime Minister Harold Macmillan's home in southern England. A warm letter of thanks from Kennedy to Macmillan particularly mentioned the hospitality and fine cooking.

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