List of Commonwealth visits made by Elizabeth II facts for kids
Queen Elizabeth II became the Head of the Commonwealth when her father, King George VI, passed away on February 6, 1952. She held this important role until her own passing on September 8, 2022. During her long reign, she traveled extensively across the Commonwealth of Nations. She visited almost every member country, missing only Cameroon, and the three newest members: Rwanda, Togo, and Gabon. Her very first trip abroad was in 1947, before she became Queen, when she joined her parents on a tour of Southern Africa.
This article focuses on her trips outside the British Islands.
Contents
- Queen Elizabeth II's Journeys Around the World
- Images for kids
- See also
Queen Elizabeth II's Journeys Around the World
Becoming Head of the Commonwealth
When Princess Elizabeth became Queen, she also took on the special title of Head of the Commonwealth. This meant she was a symbolic leader for a group of countries that used to be part of the British Empire. These countries chose to stay connected through friendship and shared values.
Early Travels: The 1950s
The Queen's first major Commonwealth tour after becoming monarch began in 1953. She visited many places, including Bermuda, Jamaica, Fiji, Tonga, New Zealand, and Australia. Her visit to Australia in 1954 was a huge event. Millions of people came out to see her. She also visited countries like Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Uganda, and Malta during this busy decade. These trips helped her connect with people across the Commonwealth.
Expanding Horizons: The 1960s
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The 1960s saw the Queen travel even more widely. In 1961, she made a significant tour of India and Pakistan. She also visited Ghana and Sierra Leone in West Africa. Later in the decade, she returned to Australia and New Zealand. Her trips often included opening parliaments or attending important national events. She also visited many smaller islands in the Caribbean, like Barbados and Jamaica, strengthening ties with these nations.
Global Connections: The 1970s
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The 1970s were another busy time for the Queen's travels. She visited Australia and New Zealand again in 1970, and opened the famous Sydney Opera House in 1973. She also traveled to Asian Commonwealth countries like Singapore and Malaysia. Many of her trips involved attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM), where leaders from Commonwealth countries meet. In 1976, she attended the 1976 Summer Olympics in Canada. Towards the end of the decade, she visited several African nations, including Tanzania and Zambia.
Decades of Dedication: The 1980s
The 1980s continued the Queen's extensive travel schedule. She visited Australia and New Zealand multiple times. In 1982, she toured several Pacific island nations, including Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, and Fiji. She also made trips to India and Bangladesh in 1983. The Queen often attended Commonwealth Games and other major events, like World Expo 88 in Brisbane, Australia. Her visits helped to strengthen the bonds between the UK and Commonwealth countries.
Nineties and Beyond: The 1990s and 2000s
In the 1990s, the Queen continued her busy travel schedule. She visited New Zealand and Canada early in the decade. A very important trip was to South Africa in 1995, after the end of apartheid, where she met Nelson Mandela. She also returned to Pakistan and India in 1997.
In the 2000s, the Queen continued her commitment to the Commonwealth. She visited Australia and New Zealand in 2002, and Canada later that year. She attended more CHOGM meetings in places like Nigeria (2003) and Uganda (2007). These trips showed her ongoing dedication to the Commonwealth family of nations.
Final Journeys: The 2010s
Even in her later years, the Queen continued to travel. In 2010, she visited Canada. Her last major overseas trip for a CHOGM meeting was to Australia in 2011. She also visited Malta for the CHOGM in 2015. These later trips highlighted her long-standing role and influence within the Commonwealth.
Countries and Territories Never Visited
While Queen Elizabeth II traveled to most Commonwealth countries, there were a few she did not visit during her reign. These include some British overseas territories and a few Commonwealth nations.
British Overseas Territories
- British Antarctic Territory
- British Indian Ocean Territory
- Falkland Islands
- Pitcairn Islands, Henderson, Ducie and Oeno Islands
Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha (never visited as Queen)- South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands
Other Territories
- Australian Antarctic Territory (external territory of Australia)
- Ashmore and Cartier Islands (external territory of Australia)
- Christmas Island (external territory of Australia)
- Coral Sea Islands (external territory of Australia)
- Heard Island and McDonald Islands (external territory of Australia)
- Niue (Realm of New Zealand)
- Ross Dependency (dependency of New Zealand)
- Tokelau (dependency of New Zealand)
Commonwealth Countries
- Cameroon
- Eswatini (never visited as Queen)
- Gabon
- Lesotho (never visited as Queen)
- Maldives (never visited while the country has been a member)
- Rwanda
- Togo
Images for kids
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Overseas trips made by Elizabeth II
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Presentation of a book of the Six Decades of H.M. The Queen's Commonwealth and State Visits, 18 December 2012
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See also
- List of state visits made by Elizabeth II
- List of state and official visits by Canada
- Royal tours of Australia
- Royal tours of Canada
- List of official overseas trips made by Charles III
- List of official overseas trips made by the Prince and Princess of Wales
- List of official overseas trips made by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex
