Air miles aplenty as royals to tour globe for Queen’s jubilee

Buckingham Palace yesterday confirmed that senior royals will visit the Queen’s 15 realms – nations where the sovereign is head of state – major Commonwealth countries, and other destinations with close links to the UK next year.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s trip to Malaysia, Singapore, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu on behalf of the Queen is likely to attract the most interest. Tuvalu has not had a major royal visit in decades and William and Kate are likely to bring the tiny South Pacific islands to a standstill.

When the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh toured the remote nation in 1982, they were carried shoulder high by islanders into the capital Funafuti as they sat in canoes.

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall will travel to Australia, Canada, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea as part of the celebrations while Prince Harry will tour Belize, Jamaica and the Bahamas.

Prince Charles will also go to the Channel Islands and Isle of Man.

Harry’s overseas visit will be his first solo trip on behalf of the Queen and may see him use it as an opportunity to stage a fundraising polo match on behalf of his Sentebale charity.

The host countries are likely to stage a range of events for the visiting royals to mark the Queen’s 60-year reign, from official banquets and public celebrations to events that showcase the individual nations.

The Queen and Prince Philip will remain in the UK for the Diamond Jubilee celebrations but make an extensive tour of every region supported by the Royal Family.

The Queen will be 86 in April and the Duke, who turns 91 next year, has already publicly stated he is reducing his workload.

The royal couple will visit Scotland from July 2-6 during their traditional summer stay and North East on July 18-19.