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.

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^[a]
13 February – 11 March 1925^[6]^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10]	Uganda	Jinja, Entebbe, Kampala, Fort Portal	Acting Governor Edward Blackwell Jarvis
8–9 April 1925^[11]	Anglo-Egyptian Sudan^[b]	Khartoum	Governor-General Sir Geoffrey Archer
Tour of Australia, New Zealand and overseas territories from January to June 1927:^[c]
Date	Country/Territory	Areas visited	Host
20–23 January 1927^[12]^[13]	Jamaica	Kingston, Spanish Town	Governor Sir Edward Stubbs
17–19 February 1927^[14]^[15]	Fiji	Suva	Governor Sir Eyre Hutson
22 February – 22 March 1927^[16]^[17]^[18]^[19] ^[20]^[21]^[22]^[23]^[24]	New Zealand	Auckland, Rotorua, Palmerston North, Napier, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Dunedin	Governor-General Sir Charles Fergusson
27 March – 23 May 1927 ^[25]^[26]^[27]^[28]^[29]^[30] ^[31]^[32]^[33]^[34]^[35]	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^[36]^[37]^[38]	Mauritius	Port Louis, Curepipe	Governor Sir Herbert James Read
17–20 June 1927^[39]^[40]	Malta	Valletta, Attard	Governor Sir John Du Cane
23 June 1927^[41]	Gibraltar		Governor Sir Charles Monro

State visits as King

As King of the United Kingdom
Date	Country	Areas visited	Host
19–22 July 1938^[42]^[43]	France	Paris, Versailles	President Albert Lebrun
As King of Canada
Date	Country	Areas visited	Host
7–11 June 1939 ^[44]^[45]^[46]^[47]	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^[48]^[49] ^[50]^[51]^[52]^[53]^[54]^[55]^[56] ^[57]^[58]^[59]^[60]^[61]^[62]^[63] ^[44]^[46]^[64]^[65]^[66]^[67]^[47]	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^[68]^[47]	Dominion of Newfoundland^[d]	St. John's	Governor Sir Humphrey Walwyn
Tour of Mediterranean area in June 1943:^[e]
Date	Country/Territory	Areas visited	Host
20–21 June 1943^[70]^[73]	Malta	Valletta, Senglea, Siġġiewi, Mosta	Governor Lord Gort
Tour of Southern Africa from February to April 1947:^[f]
Date	Country/Territory	Areas visited	Host
17 February – 11 March, 13–24 March, 26 March – 7 April, 17–24 April, 1947 ^[74]^[75]^[76]^[77]^[78]^[79]^[80] ^[81]^[82]^[83]^[84]^[85]^[86]^[87] ^[88]^[89]^[90]^[91]^[92]^[93]^[94] ^[95]^[96]^[97]^[98]^[99]^[100]	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 ^[87]^[101]	Basutoland	Maseru	High Commissioner Sir Evelyn Baring Resident Commissioner Aubrey Denzil Forsyth-Thompson Regent 'Mantšebo
25 March 1947^[102]	Swaziland	Goedgegun	High Commissioner Sir Evelyn Baring Resident Commissioner Edward Beetham Chief Sobhuza II
7–10, 12–16, April 1947 ^[97]^[103]^[104]^[98]	Southern Rhodesia	Salisbury, Victoria Falls, Bulawayo, Matopos	Governor Sir John Kennedy
11 April 1947^[103]	Northern Rhodesia	Livingstone	Governor Sir John Waddington
17 April 1947^[105]	Bechuanaland	Loatsi	Resident Commissioner Anthony Sillery
29 April 1947^[106]	Saint Helena		Acting Governor Frank Edward Gilpin

Notes

References

Sources

↑ "Duke and Duchess of York at Mombasa". The Times. No. 43842. London. 23 December 1924. col. B, p. 9.
↑ "The Royal Visit to East Africa". The Times. No. 43844. London. 27 December 1924. col. F, p. 9.
↑ "The Duke of York's Hunting Trip". The Times. No. 43849. London. 2 January 1925. col. A, p. 10.
↑ "The Royal Visit to East Africa". The Times. No. 43881. London. 9 February 1925. col. B, p. 11.
↑ "Funeral of Sir Robert Coryndon". The Times. No. 43884. London. 12 February 1925. col. E, p. 11.
↑ "The Duke of York". The Times. No. 43886. London. 14 February 1925. col. G, p. 11.
↑ "The Duke of York in Uganda". The Times. No. 43887. London. 16 February 1925. col. B, p. 11.
↑ "The Duke of York and the Baganda". The Times. No. 43890. London. 19 February 1925. col. E, p. 11.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 43891. London. 20 February 1925. col. C, p. 13.
↑ "Duke of York's "Bag"". The Times. No. 43909. London. 13 March 1925. col. F, p. 13.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 43932. London. 9 April 1925. col. C, p. 9.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44485. London. 21 January 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44487. London. 24 January 1927. col. F, p. 12.
↑ "Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44509. London. 18 February 1927. col. E, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44511. London. 21 February 1927. col. F, p. 12.
↑ "Duke and Duchess of York". The Times. No. 44512. London. 22 February 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44517. London. 28 February 1927. col. D, p. 12.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44521. London. 4 March 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Duke of York at Napier". The Times. No. 44522. London. 5 March 1927. col. D, p. 12.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44523. London. 7 March 1927. col. E, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44526. London. 10 March 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44529. London. 14 March 1927. col. E, p. 14.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44533. London. 18 March 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44537. London. 23 March 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44541. London. 28 March 1927. col. E, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44548. London. 5 April 1927. col. E, p. 15.
↑ "Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44549. London. 6 April 1927. col. F, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44550. London. 7 April 1927. col. A, p. 15.
↑ "Royal Visit to Tasmania". The Times. No. 44558. London. 18 April 1927. col. C, p. 9.
↑ "Duke and Duchess in Tasmania". The Times. No. 44559. London. 19 April 1927. col. E, p. 10.
↑ "Royal Visit to Melbourne". The Times. No. 44562. London. 22 April 1927. col. E, p. 12.
↑ "Duke of York's Tour". The Times. No. 44570. London. 2 May 1927. col. B, p. 14.
↑ "Canberra". The Times. No. 44576. London. 9 May 1927. col. A, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44585. London. 19 May 1927. col. E, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44589. London. 24 May 1927. col. G, p. 16.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44597. London. 2 June 1927. col. C, p. 16.
↑ "The Royal Visit to Mauritius". The Times. No. 44598. London. 3 June 1927. col. B, p. 11.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44599. London. 4 June 1927. col. C, p. 10.
↑ "The Royal Visit to Malta". The Times. No. 44611. London. 18 June 1927. col. B, p. 14.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44613. London. 21 June 1927. col. E, p. 16.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 44616. London. 24 June 1927. col. G, p. 16.
↑ "Paris Greets The King". The Times. No. 48051. London. 20 July 1938. col. A, p. 14.
↑ "Departure from Paris". The Times. No. 48054. London. 23 July 1938. col. B, p. 12.
1 2 "The King in America". The Times. No. 48326. London. 8 June 1939. col. A, p. 16.
↑ "Washington Welcomes Their Majesties". The Times. No. 48327. London. 9 June 1939. col. A, p. 16.
1 2 "Royal Triumph". The Times. No. 48329. London. 12 June 1939. col. A, p. 12.
1 2 3 Bousfield & Toffoli 1989.
↑ "Lading at Quebec". The Times. No. 48308. London. 18 May 1939. col. A, p. 16.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 48309. London. 19 May 1939. col. A, p. 16.
↑ "The King in Ottawa". The Times. No. 48310. London. 20 May 1939. col. A, p. 12.
↑ "Arrival at Toronto". The Times. No. 48312. London. 23 May 1939. col. A, p. 16.
↑ "Royal Tour in Canada". The Times. No. 48313. London. 24 May 1939. col. D, p. 16.
↑ "Halfway across Canada". The Times. No. 48314. London. 25 May 1939. col. C, p. 16.
↑ "Crossing the Prairies". The Times. No. 48315. London. 26 May 1939. col. D, p. 14.
↑ "Royal Party at Calgary". The Times. No. 48316. London. 27 May 1939. col. D, p. 12.
↑ "From Sea to Sea". The Times. No. 48317. London. 29 May 1939. col. A, p. 10.
↑ "Down to the Pacific". The Times. No. 48318. London. 30 May 1939. col. A, p. 10.
↑ "Western Gate of Empire". The Times. No. 48319. London. 31 May 1939. col. A, p. 12.
↑ "Return across the Rockies". The Times. No. 48321. London. 2 June 1939. col. C, p. 14.
↑ "Their Majesties at Edmonton". The Times. No. 48322. London. 3 June 1939. col. E, p. 12.
↑ "Back over the Prairies". The Times. No. 48323. London. 5 June 1939. col. D, p. 14.
↑ "The Riches of Canada". The Times. No. 48324. London. 6 June 1939. col. D, p. 14.
↑ "America and The King". The Times. No. 48325. London. 7 June 1939. col. A, p. 16.
↑ "Over the Border". The Times. No. 48330. London. 13 June 1939. col. B, p. 16.
↑ "Last Days in Canada". The Times. No. 48331. London. 14 June 1939. col. D, p. 14.
↑ "Royal Tour Ending". The Times. No. 48332. London. 15 June 1939. col. D, p. 14.
↑ "Farewell to Canada". The Times. No. 48333. London. 16 June 1939. col. A, p. 14.
↑ "Sailing for Home". The Times. No. 48335. London. 19 July 1939. col. A, p. 14.
↑ "The King's Visit to North Africa". The Times. No. 49574. London. 17 June 1943. col. A, p. 4.
1 2 "The King Visits Malta". The Times. No. 49578. London. 22 June 1943. col. A, p. 4.
↑ "The King in Tripoli". The Times. No. 49580. London. 24 June 1943. col. F, p. 4.
↑ "The King's Return". The Times. No. 49582. London. 26 June 1943. col. B, p. 5.
↑ "The King and Malta". The Times. No. 49579. London. 23 June 1943. col. D, p. 4.
↑ "King Welcomed to South Africa". The Times. No. 50688. London. 18 February 1947. col. A, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Family at Simonstown". The Times. No. 50690. London. 20 February 1947. col. G, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Party in Cape Villages". The Times. No. 50691. London. 21 February 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 50693. London. 24 February 1947. col. F, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Journey in Karroo". The Times. No. 50695. London. 26 February 1947. col. C, p. 3.
↑ "Royal Visitors at Port Elizabeth". The Times. No. 50696. London. 27 February 1947. col. D, p. 8.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 50697. London. 28 February 1947. col. C, p. 3.
↑ "Royal Family in Grahamstown". The Times. No. 50698. London. 1 March 1947. col. D, p. 7.
↑ "The King Cheered by Natives". The Times. No. 50701. London. 5 March 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ ""Bayete" for The King". The Times. No. 50702. London. 6 March 1947. col. D, p. 4.
↑ "The Royal Tour". The Times. No. 50703. London. 7 March 1947. col. E, p. 3.
↑ "Barbeque Luncheon for Royal Party". The Times. No. 50705. London. 10 March 1947. col. F, p. 4.
↑ "An Orange Free State "Oasis"". The Times. No. 50706. London. 11 March 1947. col. F, p. 4.
1 2 "Royal Party in Basutoland". The Times. No. 50707. London. 12 March 1947. col. F, p. 3.
↑ "Royal Family at Ladysmith". The Times. No. 50709. London. 14 March 1947. col. C, p. 4.
↑ "The King at Spion Kop". The Times. No. 50712. London. 18 March 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ "Zulu Dance for The King". The Times. No. 50714. London. 20 March 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Arrival in Durban". The Times. No. 50715. London. 21 March 1947. col. C, p. 3.
↑ "The King Measures A Giant". The Times. No. 50718. London. 25 March 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ "Boer Escort for The King". The Times. No. 50720. London. 27 March 1947. col. C, p. 4.
↑ "The King and Empire Brotherhood". The Times. No. 50723. London. 31 March 1947. col. A, p. 6.
↑ "Joburg Cheers The King". The Times. No. 50725. London. 2 April 1947. col. C, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Flight to Pietersburg". The Times. No. 50727. London. 25 April 1947. col. C, p. 4.
1 2 "The King Flies to Rhodesia". The Times. No. 50729. London. 8 April 1947. col. E, p. 4.
1 2 "£10,000 Cheque Handed to The Princess". The Times. No. 50737. London. 17 April 1947. col. F, p. 4.
↑ "Diamonds for The Princesses". The Times. No. 50739. London. 19 April 1947. col. F, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Family Leave for Home". The Times. No. 50744. London. 25 April 1947. col. A, p. 4.
↑ "The King with the Basuto". The Times. No. 50708. London. 13 March 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ "Ritual Dance by 4,000 Swazis". The Times. No. 50719. London. 26 March 1947. col. E, p. 4.
1 2 "The King Meets the Barotse". The Times. No. 50733. London. 12 April 1947. col. F, p. 4.
↑ "The King in the Matopos". The Times. No. 50736. London. 16 April 1947. col. E, p. 6.
↑ "Royal Family in Bechuanaland". The Times. No. 50738. London. 18 April 1947. col. E, p. 4.
↑ "Royal Family Visit St Helena". The Times. No. 50748. London. 30 April 1947. col. F, p. 4.

George VI

King of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions (1936–1952), Emperor of India (1936–1947)

Dominions

Family

Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon (wife)
Elizabeth II (daughter)
Princess Margaret, Countess of Snowdon (daughter)
George V (father)
Mary of Teck (mother)
Edward VIII (brother)
Mary, Princess Royal and Countess of Harewood (sister)
Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester (brother)
Prince George, Duke of Kent (brother)
Prince John (brother)

Events

Reign

Depictions

Radio addresses	Royal address to the nation Royal Christmas Message
Film and television	Bertie and Elizabeth (2002) Churchill: The Hollywood Years (2004) Wallis & Edward (2005) The King's Speech (2010) W.E. (2011) Hyde Park on Hudson (2012) A Royal Night Out (2015) The Crown (2016) Darkest Hour (2017)
Stage	The King's Speech (2012)
Portraits	Coronation Portrait (1938–45) The Coronation of King George VI (1938) Conversation Piece at the Royal Lodge, Windsor (1950)
Statues and memorials	King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Memorial Statue of George VI, Hong Kong Big Nickel
Books	Fatherland (1992) Winston's War (2003) The King's Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy (2010)

Honours

← Edward VIII
Elizabeth II →

v t e Overseas travel by the British royal family
Monarchs	Victoria Edward VII George V Edward VIII George VI Elizabeth II Commonwealth visits state visits Charles III
Others	William, Prince of Wales & Catherine, Princess of Wales Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, & Meghan, Duchess of Sussex Anne, Princess Royal