Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Prince Philip will pay a state visit to Turkey starting Tuesday.

The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh last visited Turkey in October 1971.

They will visit the cities of Ankara, Bursa and Istanbul at the invitation of Turkish President Abdullah Gul.

The visit is expected to highlight Turkey's global strategic importance.

Britain reportedly attaches importance to Turkey as a key for energy security and for its rising role in the Middle East.

The monarch will stay in Turkey until Friday.