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  4. Photos of Queen Elizabeth II's historic trips show she was the most-well-traveled monarch in history

Photos of Queen Elizabeth II's historic trips show she was the most-well-traveled monarch in history

Monica Humphries   

Photos of Queen Elizabeth II's historic trips show she was the most-well-traveled monarch in history
Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, arrive at the Al Alam Palace in Muscat, Oman, on November 26, 2010..Anwar Hussein/Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth II was the most well-traveled monarch in history.
  • During her reign, she traveled more than 1 million miles, earning her the nickname "million mile Queen."

In the 70 years Queen Elizabeth II reigned, she traveled at least 1,032,513 miles, earning her the title of the most-well-traveled monarch and the nickname the "million mile Queen," according to Condé Nast Traveler.

In the 70 years Queen Elizabeth II reigned, she traveled at least 1,032,513 miles, earning her the title of the most-well-traveled monarch and the nickname the "million mile Queen," according to Condé Nast Traveler.
Queen Elizabeth ll picks up a mango as she tours a market in the British Virgin Islands in October of 1977.      Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

Step back in time and take a look at a few of her most historic trips.

Step back in time and take a look at a few of her most historic trips.
England's Queen Elizabeth poses at a Yosemite Valley, California, during her 1982 tour of the West Coast.      George Rose/Getty Images

In February 1952, the then-Princess Elizabeth arrived in Kenya to meet with the governor at the time, Sir Philip Mitchell, Condé Nast Traveler reported.

In February 1952, the then-Princess Elizabeth arrived in Kenya to meet with the governor at the time, Sir Philip Mitchell, Condé Nast Traveler reported.
Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip arrive in Nyeri County, Kenya, on February 5,1952.      Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

A day after arriving at the Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park, she learned that her father, King George VI, had died. The next day, still in Kenya, she acceded to the throne, Condé Nast Traveler reported.

A day after arriving at the Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park, she learned that her father, King George VI, had died. The next day, still in Kenya, she acceded to the throne, Condé Nast Traveler reported.
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh admiring the view from a bridge in Kenya. The following day, news would arrive of the death of King George VI and Elizabeth's accession to the throne.      Chris Ware/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Five months after being crowned in 1953, the Queen flew to Bermuda as part of a six-month tour of the Commonwealth, a political association of countries that were once British colonies, CNN reported.

Five months after being crowned in 1953, the Queen flew to Bermuda as part of a six-month tour of the Commonwealth, a political association of countries that were once British colonies, CNN reported.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh leave the House of Assembly in Hamilton, Bermuda, during a six-month tour of the Commonwealth nations, November 1953.      Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Source: CNN

She visited more than 10 destinations on her first tour, including a Christmas stop in Auckland, New Zealand, according to CNN.

She visited more than 10 destinations on her first tour, including a Christmas stop in Auckland, New Zealand, according to CNN.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip are greeted at Auckland Hospital, in Auckland, New Zealand, during the coronation world tour on December 24, 1953.      Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Source: CNN

"I set out on this journey in order to see as much as possible of the people and countries of the Commonwealth and Empire," she said during a radio broadcast from New Zealand, per Condé Nast Traveler.

"I set out on this journey in order to see as much as possible of the people and countries of the Commonwealth and Empire," she said during a radio broadcast from New Zealand, per Condé Nast Traveler.
Queen Elizabeth II makes a radio broadcast from Auckland, New Zealand during a Royal tour of Australasia in 1953.      Fox Photos/Getty Images

And she accomplished just that. In her 70-year reign, the Queen visited 117 countries, according to The Independent.

And she accomplished just that. In her 70-year reign, the Queen visited 117 countries, according to The Independent.
Queen Elizabeth ll and Prince Philip are carried in war canoes down the main street in Tuvalu during a tour of the South Pacific on October 27, 1982.      Anwar Hussein/Getty Images

For over four decades, she flew via the elite Royal Air Force unit, a now-disbanded fleet of planes created in 1936 by King Edward VIII and later renamed "The Queen's Flight," according to Condé Nast Traveler.

For over four decades, she flew via the elite Royal Air Force unit, a now-disbanded fleet of planes created in 1936 by King Edward VIII and later renamed "The Queen
Queen Elizabeth II at the Coronation Review of the Royal Air Force in July 1953.      Monty Fresco/Topical Press Agency/Getty Images

For local trips, the Queen often rode the Royal Train, which carried the royal family and associated staff around the UK railway network, according to Condé Nast Traveler.

For local trips, the Queen often rode the Royal Train, which carried the royal family and associated staff around the UK railway network, according to Condé Nast Traveler.
The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh bid farewell to onlookers as the Royal Train departs from Sunderland station in the UK on October 29, 1954.      SSPL/Getty Images

But her favorite way to travel was on the Royal Yacht Britannia, Condé Nast Traveler reported. The yacht was five stories tall with more than 240 staff members and nicknamed the Queen's "floating palace.

But her favorite way to travel was on the Royal Yacht Britannia, Condé Nast Traveler reported. The yacht was five stories tall with more than 240 staff members and nicknamed the Queen
The Queen And Prince Philip waving on board the Royal Yacht Britannia during an official visit to Kuwait during the tour of the Gulf in 1979.      Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

The yacht retired in 1997, one of the few times the Queen publicly shed a tear, per Condé Nast Traveler. Today, the ship is anchored in Leith, Scotland, and has reopened as a tourist attraction, according to Insider.

The yacht retired in 1997, one of the few times the Queen publicly shed a tear, per Condé Nast Traveler. Today, the ship is anchored in Leith, Scotland, and has reopened as a tourist attraction, according to Insider.
The Queen wipes a tear at the de-commissioning ceremony for the Hmy Britannia.      Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Whether via train, plane, or ship, Queen Elizabeth's travels made milestones in British history. In 1961, she was the first British monarch to visit the Vatican, CNN reported.

Whether via train, plane, or ship, Queen Elizabeth
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip leave the Vatican after visiting with the Pope in 1961.      Hulton Archive/Getty Images

Source: CNN

She also became the first reigning British monarch to visit South America when she traveled to Brazil in 1968, according to CNN.

She also became the first reigning British monarch to visit South America when she traveled to Brazil in 1968, according to CNN.
The Queen waves from her motorcade in Salvador, Brazil, in 1968.      Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Source: CNN

In 1979, she rode British Airways' supersonic Concorde aircraft to Saudi Arabia. When she landed, she met King Khalid bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, which marked the first visit from a female head of state, per CNN.

In 1979, she rode British Airways
British Royal Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, descend the steps from Concorde at Riyadh Airport in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on February 17 1979.      Tim Graham Photo Library/Getty Images

Source: CNN

She was also the first British monarch to visit China. In 1986, she traveled around the globe and toured the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing, per CNN.

She was also the first British monarch to visit China. In 1986, she traveled around the globe and toured the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City in Beijing, per CNN.
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip visit the Great Wall of China on October 14, 1986.      Tim Graham/Getty Images

Source: CNN

2011 marked the first time a British monarch toured the Republic of Ireland in more than a century.

2011 marked the first time a British monarch toured the Republic of Ireland in more than a century.
Queen Elizabeth II arrives by helicopter at the Rock of Cashel on May 20, 2011, in Cashel, Ireland.      Oli Scarff/Getty Images

The Queen visited nearly every Commonwealth member state and island nation except Cameroon and Rwanda, according to The Independent.

The Queen visited nearly every Commonwealth member state and island nation except Cameroon and Rwanda, according to The Independent.
The Queens royal visit to Sri Lanka in October 1981.      Mike Maloney/Mirrorpix/Getty Images

Canada was the Queen's most-visited country, according to The Independent. In her 70 years on the throne, the head of state traveled to Canada 24 times.

Canada was the Queen
Queen Elizabeth II smiles as she visits Bowring Park in St. John's, Newfoundland, on June 25, 1997.      CARLO ALLEGRI/AFP/Getty Images

Behind Canada for most-visited countries was Australia, which the sovereign visited 19 times, The Independent reported.

Behind Canada for most-visited countries was Australia, which the sovereign visited 19 times, The Independent reported.
Queen Elizabeth II tours the grounds of Admiralty House on March 13, 2006, in Sydney Australia.      Paul Miller/Getty Images

In 2015, the Queen ended her overseas travels with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side. The two traveled to the Mediterranean country of Malta, Condé Nast Traveler reported.

In 2015, the Queen ended her overseas travels with the Duke of Edinburgh by her side. The two traveled to the Mediterranean country of Malta, Condé Nast Traveler reported.
Queen Elizabeth II tours the Grand Harbour in a traditional Maltese fishing boat on November 28, 2015, in Valletta, Malta.      Toby Melville/Pool/Getty Images

According to CNN, it was a symbolic final trip for the pair. From 1949 to 1951, Malta was where the Queen and Prince Philip lived before she became the Queen.

According to CNN, it was a symbolic final trip for the pair. From 1949 to 1951, Malta was where the Queen and Prince Philip lived before she became the Queen.
The Queen and Prince Philip at a theater during their Malta visit in November 1967.      Fox Photos/Getty Images

Source: CNN

But even after her final overseas trip, the Queen continued to travel around the United Kingdom.

But even after her final overseas trip, the Queen continued to travel around the United Kingdom.
Queen Elizabeth II is greeted with Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, as they arrive by Royal Train at Runcorn Station in Cheshire, England, in 2018.      Peter Byrne - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Queen spent her last days at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Insider reported. There, she died on September 8, 2022.

The Queen spent her last days at her beloved Balmoral Castle in Scotland, Insider reported. There, she died on September 8, 2022.
Queen Elizabeth II at Balmoral Castle in Aberdeen, Scotland, in September 2022.      Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty Images

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