Queen Elizabeth II, one of the most well-travelled monarchs in history, visited around 120 countries during her 70-year reign, but she never set foot in Argentina. The reason lies in decades of diplomatic tension between London and Buenos Aires, particularly over the Falkland Islands.
Planned 1968 Tour Axed by Labour Government
Files released under the government's 30-year rule reveal that a South American tour was planned with extreme care in 1968. The late Queen successfully toured neighbouring Brazil and Chile, but Prime Minister Harold Wilson's Labour Government axed the Argentine leg. Officials feared that a royal visit would drag the monarchy into the sovereignty debate over the Falkland Islands.
Official Cover-Up of Cancellation
At the time, the cancellation was covered up, with officials claiming to the public that travel arrangements were inconvenient, according to GB News. The true reason—avoiding political entanglement—was kept secret for decades.
The Falklands War and Its Aftermath
In 1982, the Argentine military junta invaded the British overseas territory, sparking the Falklands War. Over 74 days, intense land, air, and sea battles ensued in harsh weather. The conflict ended on June 14, 1982, when Argentine forces surrendered at Port Stanley, returning control to the United Kingdom. A total of 649 Argentine military personnel, 255 British Armed Forces personnel, and three civilian Falkland Islanders died.
Recent Controversy at World Cup
On Wednesday, England faced Argentina in the World Cup semi-final. After Argentina's 2-1 comeback win, players celebrated with a banner reading "Las Malvinas son Argentinas" ("The Falklands are Argentine"). The team now faces potential disciplinary action from FIFA over the political statement.
