ON THE WORLD STAGE
Long recog nised for his environmental and conser vation work, the King’s inter national influence will only increase
‘I treasure the friendships we have built over these past 70 years and look for ward to their deepening’
Throughout his seven-decade tenure as heir to the throne, the King visited more than 100 countries and territories, starting with his first trip abroad, aged five, to Malta.
Since then, he has travelled to all corners of the globe, meeting Presidents, Prime Ministers and icons, including Nelson Mandela and Mother Theresa.
But wherever he goes, he carves out time to meet ordinary people, too. He has been garlanded with flowers in Asia and the South Pacific, danced enthusiastically with his hosts in the Amazon rainforest and visited some of the world’s most extraordinary landmarks.
As monarch, His Majesty will continue to fly the flag for the UK overseas and at home, hosting diplomats and world leaders at Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle and, crucially, keeping close ties with other Commonwealth nations as the new head of the 56-country organisation.