Queen Elizabeth plans Europe trips

Britain’s Queen Elizabeth is planning three foreign trips this year.

The 87-year-old monarch – who is widely believed to have given up long-haul travel – reportedly has three scheduled visits to Europe planned for this year, on which she will be accompanied by her husband Prince Philip.

At some time in late March to early April, the royal couple will spend two days in Rome as guests of Italian president Giorgio Napolitano.

And the queen will also attend the D-Day 70th anniversary in Normandy on June 6, four days before her husband celebrates his 93rd birthday, and is likely to return to France later in the year as part of the commemorations of the beginning of the First World War in 1914.

A source told the Daily Express newspaper: ”There are many events to mark First World War centenaries for the next four years, so it is more than likely that the queen will attend at least one in France or Belgium.”

A royal insider claimed the trips show reports the monarch – who turns 88 in April – is set to hand her duties over to Prince Charles are wide of the mark.

They said: ”The queen is fully aware that her mother went to Canada when she was 90 and she is only 87.”