As the Queen of 15 realms and Head of the Commonwealth, Elizabeth II was the most travelled monarch in history. Across her 70-year reign, she visited more than 120 countries on over 200 official trips, racking up at least 1,032,513 miles – the equivalent of circling the globe 42 times.
However, in her later years, the world tours that had defined her reign began to quieten. While many assumed the step back was due to the Queen’s own health or age, renowned royal author Robert Hardman has revealed the true, deeply moving motivation behind her decision to stay closer to home.
Speaking during a live recording of HELLO!’s A Right Royal Podcast at a special VIP event, Robert explained that the Queen’s decision to stop long-haul travel was in fact rooted in her devotion to her husband, Prince Philip.
“Prince Philip retired in 2017 from public life,” Robert told the live audience while discussing his book, Elizabeth II. “He’d been such a support in the early years of her reign and she was always very worried about him. It’s one of the reasons she stopped travelling overseas.”
Watch: the real reason the late Queen stopped travelling revealed
According to the royal expert, the shift began in earnest after her final trip to Australia in 2011. By 2014, a planned state visit to Italy was scaled back to a mere day trip because the Queen “didn’t want to go in case Prince Philip was ill while she was away”.
The full circle in Malta
By 2015, the Queen had decided she would not travel abroad again. Her final departure from British soil was a poignant trip to Malta for the Commonwealth Summit – a location that held a special place in the couple’s hearts.
© Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth’s final overseas trip was to Malta – a place close to the couple’s hearts
“I thought it was a nice, roundabout way of ending this extraordinary life of travel,” Robert noted. “She’d been particularly happy as a young naval wife in Malta in the late 40s and 50s… So their last ever trip together was to Malta. After that, she decided not to go abroad again… she just wanted to be nearby in case something happened to him.”
In a touching anecdote that highlights her focus on her husband’s wellbeing in their final years together, Robert shared that the Queen was once overheard excusing herself from a conversation, saying: “I’m sorry, I’ve got to go now. I’ve got to give Philip his lunch.”
© Getty ImagesQueen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in Delhi during a state visit to India, 1961
Philip gave her a lot of confidence-building measures in the early years. He was very much ‘the alpha’, but his duty was to her and she was always trying to repay that.
Robert Hardman
Repaying a lifetime of support
The decision to prioritise Philip’s comfort was, as Robert explained, the Queen’s way of reciprocating the “alpha” support he had provided her since the moment she took the throne. From appointing him Ranger of Windsor Great Park in her first days as Queen to ensuring his needs were met at the end of his life, their partnership remained her priority until the very end.
© Alex IngramEmily Nash, Robert Hardman, Andrea Caamano and Emily Nash recorded a live podcast about the late Queen
© Alex IngramAudience members were treated to a luxury goodie bag at our event at Browns Covent Garden
This revelation is just one of many intimate stories shared by Robert Hardman during our exclusive live recording. From the reason why she worries about her son Andrew the most, to her secret nervous breakdown – plus many more Windsor family insights, it’s a must-watch for royal fans.
How to watch the podcast episode
Watch the full episode of HELLO!’s special live A Right Royal Podcast episode below:
WATCH: A Right Royal Podcast live
Robert Hardman’s new book – Elizabeth II: In Private, In Public, The Inside Story – is published ahead of what would have been Queen Elizabeth II’s birthday later this month.