‘We have to be seen to be believed’: the endurance of the royal tour

For the British monarchy the global jaunt is key to maintaining precious media coverage - even if it is dull, or worse, embarrassing

Royal tours have long been a central feature of monarchical life. It's what they do. As the Queen says: We have to be seen to be believed."

Medieval monarchs toured their realms obsessively in order to show they were still alive. It also helped keep their populations in order and allowed them to display their magnificence and power. Henry II's legs grew bandy as he rode continuously across France, England and Ireland in the 12th century. Elizabeth I's tours, 400 years later, wended their way round the country: she spoke to ordinary folk encountered en route and accepted gifts from the burghers of the towns that she and her 300-wagon baggage train passed through.