List of state visits made by Elizabeth II facts for kids
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Queen Elizabeth II traveled more than any other head of state in history. During her 70 years as Queen (from 1952 to 2022), she made many official visits to countries around the world. She also visited many nations in the Commonwealth, a group of countries that used to be part of the British Empire. Interestingly, she did not need a British passport to travel. This is because all British passports were issued in her name!
Queen Elizabeth II was the monarch of more than one independent country. This meant she sometimes represented both Canada and the United Kingdom on her trips. However, she only did this for Canada twice. Usually, the Governor-General of Canada would make state visits on her behalf.
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Queen Elizabeth II's Global Journeys
Queen Elizabeth II's travels helped strengthen relationships between the United Kingdom and other nations. These "state visits" are formal trips where a head of state visits another country at the invitation of its head of state. They are very important for diplomacy and international friendship.
Representing Canada
Even though she was Queen of Canada, Elizabeth II only made two state visits specifically as the Queen of Canada.
- In October 1957, she visited the United States. She went to places like Jamestown, Washington, D.C., and New York City. She was hosted by President Dwight D. Eisenhower.
- In June and July 1959, she returned to the United States. This time she visited Massena and Chicago. Vice President Richard Nixon and Governor William Stratton were her hosts.
Traveling for the United Kingdom
Most of Queen Elizabeth II's state visits were made as the Queen of the United Kingdom. She traveled to many different countries across all continents.
Early Trips and First State Visits
Her first state visit was to Norway in June 1955. She was hosted by King Haakon VII. Before that, she made some official stops as part of wider tours. For example, in November 1953, she visited the Panama Canal Zone and Panama. In May 1954, she went to the Kingdom of Libya. These early trips set the stage for her extensive travel schedule.
Visiting Many Continents
The Queen visited countries all over the world.
- Europe: She frequently visited European nations like France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Denmark. These visits often focused on building strong ties with neighboring countries. For example, she visited West Germany in 1965, which was a very important trip after World War II.
- Asia: Her trips to Asia included countries like Japan (1975), Thailand (1972, 1996), and China (1986). The visit to China was especially historic, as she was the first British monarch to visit the country.
- Middle East: She also traveled to many Middle Eastern countries, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in 1979. These visits helped strengthen economic and political relationships.
- Americas: Beyond her visits as Queen of Canada, she made several state visits to the United States as Queen of the United Kingdom. She visited in 1957, 1976 (for the American Bicentennial), 1983, 1991, and 2007. She also visited countries in South America like Brazil and Chile in 1968, and Mexico in 1975 and 1983.
- Africa: The Queen visited African nations such as Ethiopia and Sudan in 1965, and Liberia in 1961. These trips highlighted the UK's relationships across the continent.
Special Moments and Milestones
Some visits were particularly memorable. Her 1976 visit to the United States celebrated 200 years of American independence. Her trip to Russia in 1994 was the first time a reigning British monarch had visited the country. She also made several visits to Vatican City to meet the Pope, showing the importance of religious diplomacy. In 2011, she made a historic visit to the Republic of Ireland, which was a significant step in improving relations between the two countries.
Later Years and Final Journeys
Even in her later years, Queen Elizabeth II continued to travel. Her last state visits included trips to France and Germany in 2014 and 2015. These later journeys showed her continued dedication to her role and to international relations. Her travels helped her meet countless world leaders and ordinary people, leaving a lasting legacy of diplomacy and connection.
See also
- List of state visits received by Elizabeth II
- List of Commonwealth visits made by Elizabeth II
- 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
- List of state and official visits by Canada
