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In pictures: The Queen’s life in travel

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Sept. 08, 2022
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4 min read
In pictures: The Queen’s life in travel
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Great Britain's Queen Elizabeth II was the longest-serving monarch in British history. But beyond that, she distinguished herself by traveling to all four corners of the globe in her role as head of state and a much-loved ambassador for her country.

The queen died at Balmoral Castle on Sept. 8, 2022, after 70 years on the throne.

Here, we look back on Queen Elizabeth’s memory with a selection of some of her most striking photographs from a lifetime of service and travel.

In 1947, future Queen Elizabeth II (then Princess Elizabeth) christened Cunard Line's Caronia ship. CUNARD LINE
Queen Elizabeth II riding an elephant in Benares during a tour of India, on Jan. 25, 1961. KEYSTONE/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II chatting with businessmen in front of a model of the Concorde airliner at the British Aircraft Corporation works in Filton, Bristol, on Sept. 8, 1966. GEORGE FRESTON/FOX PHOTOS/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II looks on during the christening ceremony for Cunard Line's Queen Elizabeth 2 ocean liner. She served as godmother of the ship, which is currently docked as a floating hotel in Dubai. CUNARD LINE
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip fly back from a visit to Yorkshire in a photo taken during the filming of the joint ITV-BBC film documentary The Royal Family, 1969. BETTMANN ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II meets Maoris in New Zealand in 1977. ANWAR HUSSEIN/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip on safari during their state visit to Zambia in 1979. SERGE LEMOINE/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip arrive in Kuwait by British Airways Concorde in 1979. TIM GRAHAM PHOTO LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES
The Queen and Prince Philip coming ashore from the Royal Yacht Britannia to say farewell to the Amir of Kuwait and his ministers during the Gulf Tour in 1979. TIM GRAHAM/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II at Yosemite National Park, California, during a tour by Park Superintendent Robert O. Binnewies, accompanied by Prince Philip. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh traveled throughout California and up to Seattle, meeting political dignitaries, movie stars and tech giants between Feb. 26 and March 7, 1983. GEORGE ROSE/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II arriving onshore in Antigua and Barbuda in 1985. JOHN SHELLEY COLLECTION/AVALON/GETTY IMAGES
Queen Elizabeth II boarding the Royal Yacht HMY Britannia for a cruise around the Western Isles in 1995. TIM GRAHAM PHOTO LIBRARY/GETTY IMAGES
Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II and The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, board a plane at the military airport in Celle to fly back to London in 2015 following a three-day visit to Germany. RONNY HARTMANN/AFP
Queen Elizabeth II on the navigational bridge of P&O Cruises' Britannia cruise ship, which she christened in 2015. P&O CRUISES

Additional reporting by Caroline Tanner.

Featured image by AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

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Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for the well-traveled foodie

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S.
4XEarn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.

  • Intro Offer
    Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.

    60,000 bonus points

  • Annual Fee

    $250

  • Recommended Credit
    Credit ranges are a variation of FICO© Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.

    670-850
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Why We Chose It

There's a lot to love about the Amex Gold card. It's been a fan favorite during the pandemic because of its fantastic rewards rate on restaurants (that includes takeout and delivery in the U.S.!) and U.S. supermarkets. If you're hitting the skies soon, you'll also earn bonus points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders) and up to $120 in annual dining statement credits at eligible partners, there's no reason that the foodie shouldn't add this card to their wallet. Enrollment required.

Pros

  • 4x on dining at restaurants and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1x)
  • 3x on flights booked directly with the airline or with Amex Travel
  • Welcome bonus of 60,000 points after spending $4,000 in the first six months

Cons

  • Weak on travel outside of flights and everyday spending bonus categories
  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber/food credits
  • Few travel perks and protections
  • Earn 60,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $4,000 on eligible purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® Points at Restaurants, plus takeout and delivery in the U.S., and earn 4X Membership Rewards® points at U.S. supermarkets (on up to $25,000 per calendar year in purchases, then 1X).
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked directly with airlines or on amextravel.com.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and each month automatically get $10 in Uber Cash for Uber Eats orders or Uber rides in the U.S., totaling up to $120 per year.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings and earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, Milk Bar and select Shake Shack locations. Enrollment required.
  • Choose the color that suits your style. Gold or Rose Gold.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $250.
  • Terms Apply.
  • See Rates & Fees