Why Members of the Royal Family Make Overseas Visits: More Than Just Tourism
Introduction
The common misconception is that all the 'trips' made to the Commonwealth and other countries by the Royal family are mere holidays. In reality, these visits serve critical diplomatic and economic purposes.
Official Nature of Royal Tours
Most of the overseas trips made by the Royal family are official working Royal tours, not holidays. While they do allocate private time for their own relaxation, these visits have specific goals and outcomes. These include forging business and personal relationships with world leaders and fostering cultural exchanges.
Discussion of National Interests
Just like other Heads of State, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, the Royal family visits other world leaders to discuss the wants and needs of their countries. These discussions aim to align their goals and objectives to benefit both nations. For instance, the Royals might discuss trade agreements, tourism, and cultural exchanges.
Historical and Modern Context
Historically, royal visits were part of what was known as 'showing the flag,' which was a way for countries to assert their influence and gain recognition.
Today, these visits serve various purposes. They often aim to encourage other countries' populations to visit the U.K. as tourists and to promote trade and commerce between nations. The Queen, although still a symbol of the nation, has been unable to conduct these tours, so her eldest son and his sons have taken on these duties.
Commonwealth Focus
Given that the Queen is now unable to go abroad, her eldest son and his sons have taken on the responsibility of accompanying her where needed. These visits, especially to Commonwealth countries, are highly sought after. People in these countries are eager to see the Royal family and are always in the area to welcome them. The Queen has accumulated a staggering amount of air miles, over a million, traveling to these regions.
Official Requests and Support for the Queen
These overseas visits are often organized at the request of the British government for a variety of reasons, but most commonly to support the Queen as the head of the Commonwealth. For example, the Wessexes (Prince Edward and the Duchess of Cornwall) have visited Kenya, and the Cornwalls (Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge) are going to New Zealand shortly. These tours are frequently formalized visits that benefit both the sending and receiving countries.
Conclusion
In summary, the overseas visits made by the Royal family are deeply important and multifaceted, serving various national and international interests. While they offer opportunities for personal relaxation and public engagement, their primary function is to strengthen international relationships, foster cultural understanding, and promote economic benefits.