The Queen members of the public who gathered to meet her as she walks through the Piazza San Fedele in Milan, Italy, October 19, 2000

The Queen has probably made more visits to other countries and experienced more state banquets, handshakes, entertainments, troop inspections, national anthems and the like than any other head of state. Her schedule of royal tours of Commonwealth countries and state visits to foreign nations began just after her ascent to the throne in 1952 and has continued to the present day.

Nor have her trips been merely ornamental: behind many of them has lain serious diplomacy; she has built bridges with post-colonial states, welcomed former Communist bloc countries into the Western fold, reasserted ties with old allies such as the USA, and cemented friendships with new countries.

The 1950s

The 1960s

The 1970s

The 1980s

The 1990s

The 21st century

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