Overseas visits

No sovereign before the present Queen has undertaken overseas visits to such an extent. They have now become one of The Queen's most important duties. The Queen has paid over 60 State Visits to foreign governments, accompanied by The Duke of Edinburgh. She also tours other member countries of the Commonwealth.

Among recent visits by The Queen have been:

• the first State Visit by a reigning monarch to Russia, a four-day visit in October 1994

• a six-day State Visit to South Africa in April 1995

• the opening of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in New Zealand in November 1995.

HMY BRITANNIA

In recent years BRITANNIA has been used increasingly for seminars to promote British trade and technology overseas, often in conjunction with royal visits. Commercial events have been held both in British ports and overseas to generate business and to establish high-level contacts for British industry and commerce.

HMY BRITANNIA has provided a high-profile, prestigious base for royal tours since 1954. It provides reception rooms for up to 250 guests and includes office space and accommodation for staff accompanying The Queen.

BRITANNIA is to be decommissioned in late 1997. A decision on her future after that has yet to be made. In January 1997, the Government announced that a new Royal Yacht would be built and completed in time for the Queen's Golden Jubilee in 2002.

Visits within Britain

The Queen and other members of the Royal family have close associations with a wide range of charitable organisations covering many areas of national life. As patrons of charities, the Royal family visit a large number of charity organisations and projects each year.