List of official overseas trips made by George VI

King George VI succeeded to the thrones of the United Kingdom and the dominions in December, 1936. As Duke of York, he made official tours of British colonies in East Africa as well as New Zealand and Australia. Due to the outbreak of World War II and his poor health in post-War years, he only made two state visits to other countries as King, one of which was the first state visit of a British monarch to the United States. He also made a few official tours of different parts of the British Empire and Commonwealth, making him the first reigning British monarch to set foot on North America and Southern Africa as well as the first King of Canada and the only King of South Africa to visit the respective countries.

Official tours of Dominions and territories of the British Empire as Duke of York

Tour of East Africa from December 1924 to April 1925:
Date Country/Territory Areas visited Host
22 December 1924 –
7 February 1925[1][2][3][4] 		Kenya Mombasa, Nairobi, Isiolo Governor Sir Robert Coryndon
13 February –
11 March 1925[5][6][7][8][9] 		 Uganda Jinja, Entebbe, Kampala, Fort Portal Acting Governor Edward Blackwell Jarvis
8–9 April 1925[10] United KingdomKingdom of Egypt Anglo-Egyptian Sudan[a] Khartoum Governor-General Sir Geoffrey Archer
Tour of Australia, New Zealand and overseas territories from January to June 1927:[b]
Date Country/Territory Areas visited Host
20–23 January 1927[11][12] Jamaica Kingston, Spanish Town Governor Sir Reginald Edward Stubbs
17–19 Februaru 1927[13][14] Fiji Suva Governor Sir Eyre Hutson
22 February – 22 March
1927[15][16][17][18]
[19][20][21][22][23] 		 New Zealand Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson
27 March – 23 May 1927
[24][25][26][27][28][29]
[30][31][32][33][34] 		 Australia New South Wales (Sydney, Newcastle),
Queensland (Toowoomba, Brisbane),
Tasmania (Hobart, Launceston),
Victoria (Melbourne),
South Australia (Adelaide),
Federal Capital Territory (Canberra),
Western Australia (Perth) 		Governor-General Lord Stonehaven
Governor Sir Dudley de Chair
Governor Sir James O'Grady
Governor Lord Somers
Governor Sir Tom Bridges
Governor Sir William Campion
1–3 June 1927[35][36][37] Mauritius Port Louis, Curepipe Governor Sir Herbert James Read
17–20 June 1927[38][39]  Malta Valletta, Attard Governor Sir John Du Cane
23 June 1927[40] Gibraltar Governor Sir Charles Monro

State visits as King

As King of the United Kingdom
Date Country Areas visited Host
19–22 July 1938[41][42]  France Paris, Versailles President Albert Lebrun
As King of Canada
Date Country Areas visited Host
7–11 June 1939
[43][44][45][46] 		 United States Washington, D.C., Mount Vernon, New York City, Hyde Park President Franklin Roosevelt

Official tours of Dominions and territories of the British Empire as King

Tour of North America from May to June 1939:
Date Country/Territory Areas visited Host
17 May – 7 June,
12–15 June, 1939[47][48]
[49][50][51][52][53][54][55]
[56][57][58][59][60][61][62]
[43][45][63][64][65][66][46] 		 Canada Quebec (Quebec City, Montreal, Sherbrooke),
Ontario (Ottawa, Toronto, Greater Sudbury, Fort William, Guelph, Kitchener, Waterloo, Stratford, Windsor, London, Brantford, Hamilton, Niagara Falls),
Manitoba (Winnipeg, Brandon, Portage la Prairie),
Saskatchewan (Regina, Saskatoon),
Alberta (Calgary, Medicine Hat, Moose Jaw, Banff, Jasper, Edmonton),
British Columbia (Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster, Chilliwack),
New Brunswick (Saint John),
Prince Edward Island (Charlottetown),
Nova Scotia (Truro, Halifax) 		Governor General Lord Tweedsmuir
17 June 1939[67][46]  Dominion of Newfoundland St. John's Governor Sir Humphrey Walwyn
Tour of Southern Africa from February to April 1947:[c]
Date Country/Territory Areas visited Host
17 February – 11 March,
13–24 March,
26 March – 7 April,
17–24 April, 1947
[68][69][70][71][72][73][74]
[75][76][77][78][79][80][81]
[82][83][84][85][86][87][88]
[89][90][91][92][93][94] 		 Union of South Africa Cape Province (Cape Town, Simon's Town, Paarl, Stellenbosch, Worcester, George, Graaff-Reinet, Port Elizabeth, New Brighton, Uitenhage, Grahamstown, East London, King William's Town, Umtata, Queenstown, Kimberley),
Orange Free State (Bloemfontein, Kroonstad, Bethlehem, Harrismith),
Natal (Ladysmith, Estcourt, Eshowe, Pietermaritzburg, Durban, Vryheid),
Transvaal (Ermelo, Pretoria, Johannesburg, Pietersburg) 		Governor-General Gideon Brand van Zyl
11–12 March 1947
[81][95] 		Basutoland Maseru High Commissioner Sir Evelyn Baring
Resident Commissioner Aubrey Denzil Forsyth-Thompson
Regent 'Mantšebo
25 March 1947[96] Swaziland Goedgegun High Commissioner Sir Evelyn Baring
Resident Commissioner Edward Beetham
Chief Sobhuza II
7–10, 12–16, April 1947
[91][97][98][92] 		 Southern Rhodesia Salisbury, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Matopos Governor Sir John Kennedy
11 April 1947[97]  Northern Rhodesia Livingstone Governor Sir John Waddington
17 April 1947[99] Bechuanaland Loatsi Resident Commissioner Anthony Sillery
29 April 1947  Saint Helena Jamestown, Longwood[100] Governor Sir George Joy

Visits during the Second World War

Date Country/Territory Areas visited
4–10 December 1939  France Boulogne,[101] Bachy,[102] Amiens[103]
12 June 1943  Morocco
12–17 June 1943 Algeria Algiers,[104] Bone Areodrome[105]
17–19 June 1943  Tunisia Sabala Aerodrome,[106] Tunis[107]
20–21 June 1943  Malta Valetta[108]
21–22 June 1943 Libya Tripoli[109]
16 June 1944  France Courseulles[110]
24 July – 3 August 1944  Italy Umbertide,[111] Naples,[112] Perugia,[113] Castiglione del Lago[114]
11–12 October 1944  Belgium[115]
12–17 October 1944  Netherlands Nijmegen[116]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ A territory whose sovereignty and administration were shared between both Egypt and the United Kingdom in name but was in practice under British control.
  2. ^ The voyages were on board HMS Renown.
  3. ^ The voyages were on board HMS Vanguard.

References

  • Bousfield, Arthur; Toffoli, Gary (1989). Royal Spring: The Royal Tour of 1939 and the Queen Mother in Canada. Toronto: Dundurn Press. ISBN 1-55002-065-X.

Sources

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  2. ^ "The Royal Visit to East Africa". The Times. No. 43844. London. December 27, 1924. col F, p. 9.
  3. ^ "The Duke of York's Hunting Trip". The Times. No. 43849. London. January 2, 1925. col A, p. 10.
  4. ^ "The Royal Visit to East Africa". The Times. No. 43881. London. February 9, 1925. col B, p. 11.
  5. ^ "The Duke of York". The Times. No. 43886. London. February 14, 1925. col G, p. 11.
  6. ^ "The Duke of York in Uganda". The Times. No. 43887. London. February 16, 1925. col B, p. 11.
  7. ^ "The Duke of York and the Baganda". The Times. No. 43890. London. February 19, 1925. col E, p. 11.
  8. ^ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 43891. London. February 20, 1925. col C, p. 13.
  9. ^ "Duke of York's "Bag"". The Times. No. 43909. London. March 13, 1925. col F, p. 13.
  10. ^ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 43932. London. April 9, 1925. col C, p. 9.
  11. ^ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44485. London. January 21, 1927. col F, p. 14.
  12. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44487. London. January 24, 1927. col F, p. 12.
  13. ^ "Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44509. London. February 18, 1927. col E, p. 14.
  14. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44511. London. February 21, 1927. col F, p. 12.
  15. ^ "Duke and Duchess of York". The Times. No. 44512. London. February 22, 1927. col F, p. 14.
  16. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44517. London. February 28, 1927. col D, p. 12.
  17. ^ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44521. London. March 4, 1927. col F, p. 14.
  18. ^ "The Duke of York at Napier". The Times. No. 44522. London. March 5, 1927. col D, p. 12.
  19. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44523. London. March 7, 1927. col E, p. 14.
  20. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44526. London. March 10, 1927. col F, p. 14.
  21. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44529. London. March 14, 1927. col E, p. 14.
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  23. ^ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44537. London. March 23, 1927. col F, p. 14.
  24. ^ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44541. London. March 28, 1927. col E, p. 14.
  25. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44548. London. April 5, 1927. col E, p. 15.
  26. ^ "Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44549. London. April 6, 1927. col F, p. 14.
  27. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44550. London. April 7, 1927. col A, p. 15.
  28. ^ "Royal Visit to Tasmania". The Times. No. 44558. London. April 18, 1927. col C, p. 9.
  29. ^ "Duke and Duchess in Tasmania". The Times. No. 44559. London. April 19, 1927. col E, p. 10.
  30. ^ "Royal Visit to Melbourne". The Times. No. 44562. London. April 22, 1927. col E, p. 12.
  31. ^ "Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44570. London. May 2, 1927. col B, p. 14.
  32. ^ "Canberra". The Times. No. 44576. London. May 9, 1927. col A, p. 14.
  33. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44585. London. May 19, 1927. col E, p. 14.
  34. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44589. London. May 24, 1927. col G, p. 16.
  35. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44597. London. June 2, 1927. col C, p. 16.
  36. ^ "The Royal Visit to Mauritius". The Times. No. 44598. London. June 3, 1927. col B, p. 11.
  37. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44599. London. June 4, 1927. col C, p. 10.
  38. ^ "The Royal Visit to Malta". The Times. No. 44611. London. June 18, 1927. col B, p. 14.
  39. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44613. London. June 21, 1927. col E, p. 16.
  40. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44616. London. June 24, 1927. col G, p. 16.
  41. ^ "Paris Greets The King". The Times. No. 48051. London. July 20, 1938. col A, p. 14.
  42. ^ "Departure from Paris". The Times. No. 48054. London. July 23, 1938. col B, p. 12.
  43. ^ a b "The King in America". The Times. No. 48326. London. June 8, 1939. col A, p. 16.
  44. ^ "Washington Welcomes Their Majesties". The Times. No. 48327. London. June 9, 1939. col A, p. 16.
  45. ^ a b "Royal Triumph". The Times. No. 48329. London. June 12, 1939. col A, p. 12.
  46. ^ a b c Bousfield & Toffoli 1989.
  47. ^ "Lading at Quebec". The Times. No. 48308. London. May 18, 1939. col A, p. 16.
  48. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 48309. London. May 19, 1939. col A, p. 16.
  49. ^ "The King in Ottawa". The Times. No. 48310. London. May 20, 1939. col A, p. 12.
  50. ^ "Arrival at Toronto". The Times. No. 48312. London. May 23, 1939. col A, p. 16.
  51. ^ "Royal Tour in Canada". The Times. No. 48313. London. May 24, 1939. col D, p. 16.
  52. ^ "Halfway across Canada". The Times. No. 48314. London. May 25, 1939. col C, p. 16.
  53. ^ "Crossing the Prairies". The Times. No. 48315. London. May 26, 1939. col D, p. 14.
  54. ^ "Royal Party at Calgary". The Times. No. 48316. London. May 27, 1939. col D, p. 12.
  55. ^ "From Sea to Sea". The Times. No. 48317. London. May 29, 1939. col A, p. 10.
  56. ^ "Down to the Pacific". The Times. No. 48318. London. May 30, 1939. col A, p. 10.
  57. ^ "Western Gate of Empire". The Times. No. 48319. London. May 31, 1939. col A, p. 12.
  58. ^ "Return across the Rockies". The Times. No. 48321. London. June 2, 1939. col C, p. 14.
  59. ^ "Their Majesties at Edmonton". The Times. No. 48322. London. June 3, 1939. col E, p. 12.
  60. ^ "Back over the Prairies". The Times. No. 48323. London. June 5, 1939. col D, p. 14.
  61. ^ "The Riches of Canada". The Times. No. 48324. London. June 6, 1939. col D, p. 14.
  62. ^ "America and The King". The Times. No. 48325. London. June 7, 1939. col A, p. 16.
  63. ^ "Over the Border". The Times. No. 48330. London. June 13, 1939. col B, p. 16.
  64. ^ "Last Days in Canada". The Times. No. 48331. London. June 14, 1939. col D, p. 14.
  65. ^ "Royal Tour Ending". The Times. No. 48332. London. June 15, 1939. col D, p. 14.
  66. ^ "Farewell to Canada". The Times. No. 48333. London. June 16, 1939. col A, p. 14.
  67. ^ "Sailing for Home". The Times. No. 48335. London. July 19, 1939. col A, p. 14.
  68. ^ "King Welcomed to South Africa". The Times. No. 50688. London. February 18, 1947. col A, p. 4.
  69. ^ "Royal Family at Simonstown". The Times. No. 50690. London. February 20, 1947. col G, p. 4.
  70. ^ "Royal Party in Cape Villages". The Times. No. 50691. London. February 21, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  71. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 50693. London. February 24, 1947. col F, p. 4.
  72. ^ "Royal Journey in Karroo". The Times. No. 50695. London. February 26, 1947. col C, p. 3.
  73. ^ "Royal Visitors at Port Elizabeth". The Times. No. 50696. London. February 27, 1947. col D, p. 8.
  74. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 50697. London. February 28, 1947. col C, p. 3.
  75. ^ "Royal Family in Grahamstown". The Times. No. 50698. London. March 1, 1947. col D, p. 7.
  76. ^ "The King Cheered by Natives". The Times. No. 50701. London. March 5, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  77. ^ ""Bayete" for The King". The Times. No. 50702. London. March 6, 1947. col D, p. 4.
  78. ^ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 50703. London. March 7, 1947. col E, p. 3.
  79. ^ "Barbeque Luncheon for Royal Party". The Times. No. 50705. London. March 10, 1947. col F, p. 4.
  80. ^ "An Orange Free State "Oasis"". The Times. No. 50706. London. March 11, 1947. col F, p. 4.
  81. ^ a b "Royal Party in Basutoland". The Times. No. 50707. London. March 12, 1947. col F, p. 3.
  82. ^ "Royal Family at Ladysmith". The Times. No. 50709. London. March 14, 1947. col C, p. 4.
  83. ^ "The King at Spion Kop". The Times. No. 50712. London. March 18, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  84. ^ "Zulu Dance for The King". The Times. No. 50714. London. March 20, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  85. ^ "Royal Arrival in Durban". The Times. No. 50715. London. March 21, 1947. col C, p. 3.
  86. ^ "The King Measures A Giant". The Times. No. 50718. London. March 25, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  87. ^ "Boer Escort for The King". The Times. No. 50720. London. March 27, 1947. col C, p. 4.
  88. ^ "The King and Empire Brotherhood". The Times. No. 50723. London. March 31, 1947. col A, p. 6.
  89. ^ "Joburg Cheers The King". The Times. No. 50725. London. April 2, 1947. col C, p. 4.
  90. ^ "Royal Flight to Pietersburg". The Times. No. 50727. London. April 25, 1947. col C, p. 4.
  91. ^ a b "The King Flies to Rhodesia". The Times. No. 50729. London. April 8, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  92. ^ a b "£10,000 Cheque Handed to The Princess". The Times. No. 50737. London. April 17, 1947. col F, p. 4.
  93. ^ "Diamonds for The Princesses". The Times. No. 50739. London. April 19, 1947. col F, p. 4.
  94. ^ "Royal Family Leave for Home". The Times. No. 50744. London. April 25, 1947. col A, p. 4.
  95. ^ "The King with the Basuto". The Times. No. 50708. London. March 13, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  96. ^ "Ritual Dance by 4,000 Swazis". The Times. No. 50719. London. March 26, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  97. ^ a b "The King Meets the Barotse". The Times. No. 50733. London. April 12, 1947. col F, p. 4.
  98. ^ "The King in the Matopos". The Times. No. 50736. London. April 16, 1947. col E, p. 6.
  99. ^ "Royal Family in Bechuanaland". The Times. No. 50738. London. April 18, 1947. col E, p. 4.
  100. ^ British Pathé (2014-04-13). Royal Tour 1947 (1947). Retrieved 2024-11-11 – via YouTube.
  101. ^ "HIS MAJESTY THE KING ARRIVING IN FRANCE DECEMBER 1939 [Allocated Title]". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  102. ^ Limited, Alamy. "The British Expeditionary Force (bef) in France 1939-1940 HM King George VI visits the BEF, December 1939: The King surveys the countryside around Bachy from the top of a pillbox Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  103. ^ Limited, Alamy. "THE BRITISH EXPEDITIONARY FORCE (BEF) IN FRANCE 1939-1940 - HM King George VI visits the BEF, December 1939: The King meeting French Generals at Amiens George VI, King Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  104. ^ "KING'S VISIT TO NORTH AFRICA [Allocated Title]". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  105. ^ "THE KING VISITS NORTH AFRICA [Allocated Title]". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  106. ^ "KING GEORGE VI ARRIVES IN TUNISIA [Allocated Title]". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  107. ^ "THE KING AT TUNIS [Allocated Title]". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  108. ^ "Arrival of HM the King at Malta, 1943". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  109. ^ "THE BRITISH ARMY IN TUNISIA 1943". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  110. ^ "THE BRITISH ARMY IN NORMANDY 1944". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  111. ^ "Visit of King George VI to Umbertide, Italy, July-August 1944 | Online Collection | National Army Museum, London". collection.nam.ac.uk. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  112. ^ Limited, Alamy. "On his second day in the Italian theatre, Britain's King George VI visited Allied Naval Units in Naples Bay. The King inspecting Royal Marines in Naples Bay, Italy, on July 29, 1944. (AP Photo Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  113. ^ Limited, Alamy. "The British Army in Italy 1944 HM King George VI, accompanied by Generals Leese and McCreery, being driven past troops after landing at Perugia, 25 July 1944 Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  114. ^ Limited, Alamy. "THE POLISH ARMY IN THE ITALIAN CAMPAIGN, 1943-1945 - King George VI taking a salute at the march past of the 2nd Polish Corps units, during his visit to the British 8th Army.He is accompanied by General Władysław Anders, the Commander of the 2nd Corps (foreground, wearing a black beret), General Harold Alexander, the Commander of the Allied Armies in Italy, and General Oliver Leese, the Commander of the 8th Army (left, in the background). Castiglione del Lago airfield, 26 July 1944 British Army, Polish Army, Polish Armed Forces in the West, Polish Corps, II, George VI, King, Anders, Władysław Stock Photo - Alamy". www.alamy.com. Retrieved 2024-11-09. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  115. ^ "HM KING GEORGE VI WITH THE BRITISH LIBERATION ARMY IN BELGIUM, OCTOBER 1944". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.
  116. ^ "HM KING GEORGE VI WITH THE BRITISH LIBERATION ARMY IN HOLLAND, 13 OCTOBER 1944". Imperial War Museums. Retrieved 2024-11-09.