During her reign, Elizabeth II visited many foreign tours. And sometimes it’s not just a trip for the purpose of charity or a formal meeting with the local government. Some tours of the British monarch became important milestones in the history of the country and marked new chapters in relations with other states. We recall some of the most significant trips of Elizabeth II.
First Commonwealth tour, 1953-1954
Elizabeth II ascended the throne in 1952 and began her reign with a massive tour of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is still the longest tour of the current British monarch – it lasted a full six months: from November 1953 to May 1954. During this time, the Queen visited the West Indies, Australia, New Zealand, Asia and Africa. This was a significant moment for Elizabeth, because during the journey she fully realized her role and her duty (read alsoIn: How a tour to New Zealand solidified Prince Charles’s position.
USA, 1957
In 1957, Elizabeth II visited the United States for the first time as a reigning monarch. During the four-day trip, she traveled to New York, DC and Williamsburg, Virginia. The Queen also met with the 34th President of the United States, Dwight Eisenhower. And although Elizabeth had known the American head before, this was their first official meeting.
India, 1961
This trip is notable for the fact that the monarch visited India for the first time after the country gained independence (until 1947 India was part of the British Empire). The visit of Elizabeth II and Prince Philip marked a new chapter in relations between countries whose rulers could now build relationships on an equal footing.
Silver Jubilee Commonwealth Tour, 1977
To mark a significant date – 25 years on the throne, Elizabeth II again went on a tour of the countries of the Commonwealth of Nations. The monarch and Prince Philip have traveled over 56,000 miles visiting 14 countries. It was also during this journey that the Queen visited the island states of Fiji and Tonga for the first time.
Germany, 1990
The monarch had previously visited West Germany on several occasions, but her trip in November 1990 was the first visit to the country since the fall of the Berlin Wall, which was an important historical moment. Elizabeth II was received by President Richard von Weizsäcker, whom the Queen met at his Hammerschmidt villa in the German city of Bonn.
Russia, 1994
Another significant historical event was the first (and only) visit of the Queen to Russia in October 1994. The then President Boris Yeltsin noted the importance of the moment and the fact that Elizabeth II would hardly have come to the USSR: “We understand that the British Queen would never have visited a communist country.” The monarch was joined on the trip by Prince Philip, who first visited Moscow (where they stayed at the Kremlin as Yeltsin’s guests) and then traveled to St. Petersburg.
South Africa, 1995
Elizabeth first visited South Africa as a young princess with her parents and sister. However, with the advent of apartheid in 1948, the royal family did not visit South Africa for several years. Thus, the 1995 trip was an important historical moment – the first visit of Her Majesty to the country since the end of apartheid. The monarch supported the new government by personally meeting with President Nelson Mandela.
Golden Jubilee Commonwealth Tour 2002
The next tour of the monarch in honor of the round date of the reign (this time – 50 years) included four Commonwealth countries: Jamaica, New Zealand, Australia and Canada. This trip was remembered by Elizabeth II for one unfortunate embarrassment: during a banquet on the last night of the Queen and Prince Philip’s stay in Jamaica, the electricity was cut off (read also: Everything doesn’t go according to plan: the story of Elizabeth II’s most difficult royal tour).
Canada, 2010
The Queen visited Canada more than any other country: 27 times during her reign. The last trip took place in the summer of 2010. The monarch’s visit coincided with Canada Day, July 1. In honor of this event, Elizabeth delivered a speech on Parliament Hill in Ontario, which was attended by about 100,000 people.
Malta, 2015
This is the monarch’s last international trip so far. Her Majesty attended the 24th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting. Despite the official nature of the visit, Malta also holds a special sentimental meaning for both the Queen and her late husband, Prince Philip. The couple lived in this country from 1949 to 1951, while Philip served in the navy there. And, according to rumors, it was a very happy time for the young couple. Therefore, it is especially noteworthy that the visit to Malta in 2015 was the last joint trip of the royal couple abroad (read also: “Five-month-old bachelor party”: why Prince Philip’s solo tour caused a scandal).
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