Buckingham Palace: Queen Elizabeth II, Prince Philip to visit Pope Francis in Rome in April

LONDON - Buckingham Palace says that Queen Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip will visit Pope Francis in Rome.

The palace said Tuesday the royals would have an audience with the pope at the Vatican in April.

The palace said Monday the couple also plans to attend the 70th anniversary of D-Day ceremonies during a state visit to France in June.

The high profile trips to continental Europe come as the 87-year-old queen is greatly reducing her overseas travel. She has increasingly sent her eldest son Prince Charles to represent her outside the United Kingdom.