“There is none of my father’s subjects from the oldest to the youngest whom I do not wish to greet.” Queen Elizabeth II said upon her coronation in 1952.
Her Majesty was Head of State for a population of 144 million across the UK and the Commonwealth Realms. During her reign, she visited every realm and every region of the UK, returning to some many times over.
Though much of Her Majesty’s daily working life was spent in contact with her UK and Commonwealth ministers and representatives, it was her presence in these places during her many official visits which saw her keep her promise to devote her life to the people of the Commonwealth in the most practical of ways.
The Queen’s visits took her from the Scottish Highlands to the Isles of Scilly, Ottawa to Funafuti, meeting people from all walks of life.
Her Majesty’s Jubilee tours in particular demonstrated The Queen’s commitment to the people of every region and realm. To mark her Golden Jubilee in 2002, Her Majesty visited 70 cities and towns in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, travelling 3,500 miles by Royal Train. She also circumnavigated the globe that year, beginning her Jubilee programme with visits to Jamaica, New Zealand and Australia.
The Queen’s presence continues to be felt in the everyday fabric of the countries where she was Head of State: over 50 parks and towns, 40 buildings, 28 hospitals, 40 roads and bridges, 30 schools across the UK, Commonwealth, and the rest of the world have been named after her, and at least 35 countries have issued coins bearing her image.
Story courtesy of the Royal Family
