The Monarchy Today > Queen and public

The Queen and Prince Philip board a plane

On average The Queen and Prince Philip pay two overseas visits each year
© Press Association

OVERSEAS VISITS

The Queen has travelled more than any other Sovereign in history.

Since The Queen's first official overseas visit to South Africa in 1947, overseas visits have become one of her most important duties.

The Queen pays two outward State visits each year, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh. She also regularly tours her other realms and member countries of the Commonwealth.

During her reign, The Queen has visited countries which no other British monarch has ever visited.

Historic firsts have included the first State visits by a reigning monarch to China in 1986, Russia in October 1994, Brunei and Malaysia in 1998, and Korea in 1999.

Another historic visit was a six-day State visit to South Africa in April 1995, the first since 1947 following the end of apartheid.


	On average The Queen and Prince Philip pay two overseas visits each year © Press Association OVERSEAS VISITS The Queen has travelled more than any other Sovereign in history. Since The Queen's first official overseas visit to South Africa in 1947, overseas visits have become one of her most important duties. The Queen pays two outward State visits each year, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh. She also regularly tours her other realms and member countries of the Commonwealth. During her reign, The Queen has visited countries which no other British monarch has ever visited. Historic firsts have included the first State visits by a reigning monarch to China in 1986, Russia in October 1994, Brunei and Malaysia in 1998, and Korea in 1999. Another historic visit was a six-day State visit to South Africa in April 1995, the first since 1947 following the end of apartheid.
	The Queen has paid over 60 State visits to foreign governments. Since becoming Sovereign in 1952, The Queen has visited over 325 countries (including repeat visits) during her reign. Among recent visits by The Queen have been a State visit to France in April 2004 to mark the centenary of the Entente Cordiale, and a visit to Germany in November 2004. In 2005 The Queen was present at the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting in Malta, and in March 2006 The Queen visited Australia and Singapore for the Commonwealth Games. View a full list of State visits since 1952. View a full list of Commonwealth visits since 1952. The Commonwealth Information about this global organisation Royal air travel A history of The Queen's Flight SUGGESTED LINKS Foreign & Commonwealth Office