The Queen addressed the United Nations for a second time in 2010 , again in her capacity as Queen of all Commonwealth realms and Head of the Commonwealth . The UN Secretary General , Ban Ki-moon , introduced her as " an anchor for our age " . During her visit to New York , which followed a tour of Canada , she officially opened a memorial garden for British victims of the September 11 attacks . The Queen 's visit to Australia in October 2011 — her 16th visit since 1954 — was called her " farewell tour " in the press because of her age . By invitation of the Irish President , Mary McAleese , the Queen made the first state visit to the Republic of Ireland by a British monarch in May 2011
September 11 attacks
September 11 attacks
Elizabeth II