GOING WALKABOUT

It’s not unusual to see the royals chatting with ordinary people at home and abroad on royal tours these days. In fact, it’s expected as part of their duties. But the practice started only in 1970 at the suggestion of William Heseltine, the queen’s private secretary.

The first royal walkabout was during a tour of Australia and New Zealand with Philip and Princess Anne.

The monarch bucked centuries of tradition when she took a stroll to greet crowds of people in person rather than wave to them from a distance.

The queen quipped, “I have to be seen to be believed.”