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Lesson 5 of 6
  • Year 1

A queen of four nations, head of the Commonwealth

I can explain how Elizabeth II's travels across the UK and the Commonwealth showed her care for all people within her realm.

Lesson 5 of 6
New
New
  • Year 1

A queen of four nations, head of the Commonwealth

I can explain how Elizabeth II's travels across the UK and the Commonwealth showed her care for all people within her realm.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. As queen, Elizabeth travelled frequently across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
  2. She also visited many Commonwealth countries.
  3. Elizabeth II met people to help charities.
  4. Her actions showed she was a queen for everyone.

Keywords

  • Travel - going to visit different places and people

  • United Kingdom - the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, ruled together

  • Realm - all the countries that a king or queen rules over or the places where a king or queen is in charge

  • Commonwealth - countries that work together in friendship; most of them were once ruled by Britain

  • Charity - a group of people who work together to help others

Common misconception

Pupils might think that Elizabeth II only lived, and stayed, in London (maybe at Buckingham Palace).

Show and remind pupils how Elizabeth II travelled across the UK and around the world.


To help you plan your year 1 history lesson on: A queen of four nations, head of the Commonwealth, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

You could create a a floor map to reflect the places mentioned in the story: pupils could “travel” to each place waving flags they have made. You could also research if Elizabeth ever visited your local area - pupils could add this to their map and discuss why she might have come.
Teacher tip

Equipment

Content guidance

  • Depiction or discussion of sensitive content
  • Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Lesson video

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Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Where does the Trooping the Colour ceremony take place?

Belfast
Cardiff
Edinburgh
Correct answer: London

Q2.
Most countries used to be ruled by Britain in the past, but nowadays they are just friends.

Correct Answer: Commonwealth

Q3.
Match Elizabeth's clothes to the correct ceremony.

Correct Answer:Guards uniform,Trooping the Colour

Trooping the Colour

Correct Answer:brightly coloured dress,visiting another country

visiting another country

Correct Answer:large crown, heavy robe, and jewellery,State Opening of Parliament

State Opening of Parliament

Q4.
What is a ceremony?

Correct answer: a special event with important actions or rules
a special type of vehicle, like a truck
a special kind of food you eat on birthdays

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

6 Questions

Q1.
Match the word to the definition.

Correct Answer:United Kingdom,the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Correct Answer:travel,going to visit different places and people

going to visit different places and people

Correct Answer:charity,a group of people who work together to help others

a group of people who work together to help others

Correct Answer:realm,the places where a king or queen is in charge

the places where a king or queen is in charge

Q2.
How often did Elizabeth travel around the United Kingdom and to different countries?

Never - she stayed at home in Buckingham Palace in London all the time.
Sometimes - she visited different countries in the UK every so often.
Correct answer: Lots - she was the most well-travelled king or queen in history.

Q3.
Which countries are in the United Kingdom?

Correct answer: England
France
Correct answer: Northern Ireland
Correct answer: Scotland
Correct answer: Wales

Q4.
Commonwealth countries are nations that used to be ruled by the United ...

Correct Answer: Kingdom

Q5.
Why did Elizabeth travel all around the United Kingdom and Commonwealth countries?

because she liked going on aeroplanes
Correct answer: to show people that she cared about them
to find new homes to buy

Q6.
How much charity work was Elizabeth involved in?

None - she did not give anything to charity.
Some - there were a few charities that she helped.
Correct answer: Lots - she supported hundreds of charities.