Emperor of Japan joins King and Queen at Buckingham Palace for exhibition
When the King rose to his feet to pay tribute to the strength of UK-Japanese relations at a state dinner to honour the visiting Emperor and Empress, he did so through the usual messages of shared history and warm friendship.
He also, this time, made reference to Hello Kitty, Pokémon, fly fishing and mountain climbing, joking that there is more to the countries’ shared culture than “how much we enjoy tea and talking about the weather”.
The King[1], speaking at a Buckingham Palace banquet, told guests of his personal history with Emperor Naruhito, including trips to the opera and fly fishing as younger men.
“I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing,” he said, before making a reference to the Japanese cartoon collecting craze Pokémon.
“The Pokémon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational,” he added.
Emperor Naruhito and King Charles, who used to go fly fishing together when they were younger, share a joke
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
It was one of a handful of pop culture references in the speech, in which he also wished a “very happy” 50th birthday to the cartoon cat Hello Kitty[2]. “Even our hobbies have shared roots,” the King added, describing how English walkers helped introduce mountain climbing in Japan in the 19th century.
“This is a passion which many British and Japanese now have in common – not least, at an individual level, Your Majesty and myself.”
The King and Queen have welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for the first state visit since His Majesty’s cancer diagnosis.
Sir
Sir Keir Starmer with his wife, Victoria
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also attended the banquet in honour of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Rishi Sunak[3] and Sir Keir Starmer[4] were both invited, with the leader of the Opposition placed next to Sir Clive Alderton, the King’s principal private secretary, for dinner while the Prime Minister sat next to Dame Wendy Hall, a computer scientist.
With the Princess of Wales missing from the event as she continues her cancer treatment, the Duchess of Edinburgh was placed at the top table which had the King, Queen, Emperor and Empress at the centre and Prince of Wales on the other side.
The Queen wore the new Royal Family Order[5], with its miniature portrait of King Charles III at its centre – the first time it has been seen during his reign.
She wore the Burmese ruby and diamond tiara, and lent the Lotus Flower tiara to the Duchess of Edinburgh for the evening.
The Princess Royal was also absent, in hospital with concussion following an accident with a horse.
The King and Queen pose with the Emperor and Empress of Japan before this evening’s state banquet
Credit: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock
The King began and ended his speech in Japanese, saying “Welcome back to Britain” and “cheers!” in the language of his guests.
He made a passing reference to the “darkest years” of the history between the two countries, the Second World War, with the Emperor spelling it out only slightly more clearly in his own speech about “the sad period” and “times of great difficulty”.
The Emperor and Empress, Naruhito said, would like to “express our deep respect and gratitude to those people who have dedicated immeasurable efforts of friendship between our two countries”.
The first official day of the trip began at Claridge’s, where the Prince of Wales welcomed the Emperor and Empress outside their rooms with a handshake.
Guests were served langoustines, turbot, ‘pommes Elizabeth’ and bombe glace melba
Credit: JORDAN PETTITT/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
After being driven to Horse Guards Parade, the King, 75, and Emperor, 64, greeted one another like old friends. After an inspection the party, which included Prince William, returned to Buckingham Palace for lunch.
Privately, the King and Queen presented a pair of gold and silver beakers and a bottle of whisky to the Emperor and a handmade fan to the Empress. In return they were presented with a Wijima lacquerware box and a Saga Nishiki brocade handbag.
The King appointed the Emperor to the ancient Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in the UK.
In return, the Emperor presented the King with the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, the highest order in Japan.
In the evening, the Royal family joined 170 guests for a dinner of langoustines, turbot, “pommes Elizabeth” and bombe glace melba.
That’s all for today
Thanks for following our live coverage.
As the guests dine and the remainder of the banquet concludes in private, here is a summary of the day’s events:
- Neither the Princess of Wales, who is still having preventative chemotherapy, nor the Princess Royal, who is recovering from a concussion after an accident involving her horse, were able to attend the State Visit
- The King and Queen were joined by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, and James Cleverly, the home secretary, at Horse Guards Parade to receive the Emperor and Empress
- The King and the Emperor inspected the Guard of Honour after exchanging warm greetings
- The pair travelled along the Mall to Buckingham Palace in a procession and waved to crowds
- After lunch at Buckingham Palace, the King and Emperor perused royal artefacts – including the Emperor’s university thesis
- The King and Queen exchanged gifts with the Japanese royal family
- A State Banquet was held in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom, with the Emperor and Empress as guests of honour
- King Charles and Emperor Naruhito made speeches and toasts at the banquet before the guests dined
Tomorrow, the Emperor and Empress will undertake a number of other engagements including a visit to The Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s flagship biomedical research centre and a Banquet at the Guildhall ahead of formal farewells at Buckingham Palace on Thursday.
Sunak seated next to eminent computer scientist, Starmer next to King’s chief of staff
Despite the state visit going ahead during the General Election campaign, the guest list follows convention by including Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer, along with the Lib Dem leader Ed Davey.
The leader of the opposition was placed next to the King’s Principal Private Secretary Sir Clive Alderton for dinner while the Prime Minister sat next to computer scientist Dame Wendy Hall.
Guests take their seats in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace for the State Banquet
Credit: JORDAN PETTITT
9:57PM
[8]
The personal message behind the Queen’s state banquet tiara
With the Palace decked in peonies and sweet peas, guests including Sir Keir Starmer, Lord Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak filed in. The night’s dress code blended white tie with summer colour – a mix of ballgowns and kimonos.
A micro-trend of the evening was capes: Kemi Badenoch, the Business Secretary, and Lady Victoria Starmer wore black and white cloaked dresses, respectively. The Empress wore a white lace floor-length gown with cropped sleeves.
But it was Queen Camilla’s look that was perhaps the most loaded with meaning – she honoured a now decades-old tradition of diplomatically nodding to her guests via her sartorial choice, writes Caroline Leaper, Senior Fashion Editor
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan ahead of the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace
Credit: Kirsty Wigglesworth/PA Wire
9:48PM
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Watch: Royals arrive at the Palace Ballroom for the banquet
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9:38PM
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Pictured: Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at the banquet
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak makes his way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet
Credit: OYAL Japan. Photo credit should read:
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey with his wife Emily Gasson make their way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
9:28PM
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Pictured: King and Queen arrive with guests of honour and the Royal Family
Credit: Aaron Chown
9:24PM
[13]
King’s Official Harpist to play at banquet
The music at the banquet will be provided by the Royal College of Music Senior Quartet – “Seion Quartet”.
The King’s Official Harpist, Alis Huws, will also perform.
Pictured: King Charles and Emperor Naruhito seated side-by-side
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
9:05PM
[15]
King touches on fly fishing, Hello Kitty and Pokemon in banquet speech
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In a speech to guests in the Buckingham Palace ballroom, the King has made rather unexpected reference to fly fishing, Hello Kitty and Pokemon, joking that there is more to the shared culture of Britain and Japan than “how much we enjoy tea and talking about the weather”.
The King, speaking at the state banquet, told guests of his personal history with Emperor Naruhito, including trips to the opera and fly fishing as younger men.
“I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing,” he said, before making a rare public reference to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis – and the Japanese cartoon collecting craze Pokemon.
“The Pokemon phrase ‘gotta catch ‘em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational…” he added.
“It was one of a handful of pop culture references in the speech, in which he also wished a “very happy” 50th birthday to globally recognisable cartoon cat Hello Kitty.
“Even our hobbies have shared roots,” the King added, describing how English walkers helped introduce mountain climbing in Japan in the 19th century.
“This is a passion which many British and Japanese now have in common – not least, at an individual level, Your Majesty and myself.”
King Charles III delivers a speech as Queen Camilla and Emperor Naruhito of Japan listen during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA Wire
8:59PM
[16]
Pictured: Kemi Badenoch and Simon Case among the arrivals
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
Credit: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images
8:51PM
[17]
This evening’s menu and wine list
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The tables for the state banquet are decorated with small vases and bowls filled with sweet peas, peonies and roses, with larger displays dotted throughout. Roses came from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor Castle, with Palmatum Seiryu Acer trees, known as the Japanese Maple.
The menu
- Langoustines d’Ecosse Sur Nid de Concombre et Mousse au Basilic, Elixir de Tomates [Poached Scottish langoustines on a nest of Cucumber with Basil Mousse, chilled Tomato consommé]
- Délice de Turbot en Robe de Laitues Sauce à l’Oseille [Baked Fillet of Cornish Turbot, with herb butter wrapped in lettuce, Sorrel Cream sauce]
- Panache de Légumes d’Eté [Selection of Summer Vegetables]
- Pommes Elizabeth [Creamed Potato and Spinach Croquette]
- Salade [Salad of Green Beans and Quail Eggs]
- Bombe Glacé Melba [Ice cream bomb with peach Sorbet insert, on a bed of compressed peaches]
Wine list
- Coates and Seely Brut Reserve NV
- Kumeu River, Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2016
- Château Angludet, Margaux 2014
- Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rose NV
Placements of the King, the Queen and The Emperor of Japan are seen as the finishing touches are applied to the tables in the Ballroom of Buckingham Palace before the State Banquet
Credit: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images
8:48PM
[18]
Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive at the banquet
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Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria were seen walking into the dinner followed by Lord Cameron, Ed Davey, Lady Susan Hussey, while the Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty is to be included in the royal procession.
Samuel Chatto, the grandson of Princess Margaret, is included in an eclectic guest list which included composer Andrew Llord Webber, Met Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, Britain’s only female sushi master Miho Sato and astronaut Naoko Yamazaki.
Outfits are a mixture of white tie, colourful gowns and kimonos, with numerous women wearing tiaras.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria make their way along the East Gallery ahead of the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace
Credit: Aaron Chown/PA Wire
8:43PM
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Queen wearing new Royal Family Order of King Charles III
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The Queen has worn the new Royal Family Order of King Charles III to the state banquet, the first time it has been seen in public for the new reign.
The Royal Family Order, which is awarded to female members of the family and worn on formal occasions, contains a miniature picture of the monarch, surrounded by diamonds suspended on a silk bow.
The King’s Charles’ Family Order was created in 2024 by portrait miniaturist Elizabeth Meek, and based on a photograph by Hugo Burnand. The King wears his uniform of Admiral of the Fleet, the sash of the Royal Victorian Order, the Garter Star and Thistle Star, and the Garter Collar and Neck Orders of the Order of the Bath and the Royal Victorian Order.
The miniature is painted in oil on polymin, mounted in a diamond-set white and yellow gold frame. Until 2017, the miniature portraits were painted on ivory.
The back of the gold mount was engineered by Seth Kennedy, a scholar from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, with a crown decorated with enamel by Fiona Rae, who established her jewellery business with a loan from The Prince’s Trust.
It is the first time it has been used, with the last State Visit – South Korea – seeing the royal women still wearing that of Elizabeth II.
The Queen is believed to be the only member of the Royal family who has received one so far.
King Charles III’s Family Order, which will be worn by Queen Camilla for the first time at the state banquet this evening
Credit: Buckingham Palace/PA Wire
8:33PM
[20]
Welcome back
Welcome back to our live coverage of today’s State Visit from the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
The Royal Family has given a sneak peek of tonight’s State Banquet, where attendees will convene to dine and hear speeches and toasts by the King and Emperor Naruhito.
The video gives a glimpse of the finishing touches being applied to the tables and decor in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom as well as a first glance at this evening’s menu.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are expected to take a break from the campaign trail to attend the state banquet.
The party leaders will dress in white tie, process in and take their seats around the horseshoe-shaped table, with the Prime Minister usually seated near the head of the table and the leader of the opposition positioned further down.
Finishing touches and a sneak peek ahead of this evening’s State Banquet… ✨ pic.twitter.com/BFVRNKx1g7[21]
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 25, 2024[22]
4:22PM
[23]
That’s all for now
Thank you for tuning in for our coverage of today’s State Visit from the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
We’ll be back later this evening to bring you all the latest updates from the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, where King Charles and Emperor Naruhito are due to give speeches.
King shown ancient scroll that extends ‘the length of the room’
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Among the objects of interest in the exhibition were a large scroll painted in 1855 showing the procession of Emperor Go-Mizunoo to Nijo Castle in Kyoto in the autumn of 1626.
The King remarked that it would “almost extend the length of the room” if it was unravelled.
Moving onto the second table, the King and Queen animatedly showed their guests a gift received by the late Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her coronation in 1953 from the Emperor Showa.
Prince William and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh stopped by a huge silk screen piece by Kawashima Orimono made between 1970-71, gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by Emperor Showa.
The scene portrayed across the four panels, worked in silk thread on a gold ground, is from Murasaki Shikibu’s 11th-century novel, the Tale of Genji (Genji Monogatari).
The tale recounts the story of the ‘Shining Prince’, Genji, and introduces some of the most important characters in the history of Japanese literature.
It is often referred to as the earliest novel.
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Remarking on the scene, which showed men with tall hats reclining almost diagonally, the Duke of Gloucester joked “how do they keep their hats on?”. The Duchess of Edinburgh, hearing him, exclaiming “Richard!” before she laughed and moved on to the next exhibit.
Walking the Emperor over to the final two tables, the King introduced his guest to Dr Stella the Royal Librarian and Assistant Keeper of the Royal Archives.
“This is the royal librarian,” he said. “She’s an absolute genius.”
The royals leafed through The Highgrove Florilegium, which represents 124 plants from the garden created by the King.
The large book features watercolours from 71 of the world’s leading botanical artists, including eight Japanese masters.
King and Queen exchange gifts with Japanese royal family
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The King and Queen have engaged in the traditional ritual of exchanging gifts with their visitors.
The couple were given an autographed photograph of the Emperor and Empress in a silver frame bearing the chrysanthemum crest of the Imperial House.
Meanwhile, the King was given a Wajima lacquerware box, selected with the Emperor’s thoughts on those affected by the 2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake, while the Queen was given a Saga Nishiki brocade handbag.
Wajima Nuri is a traditional Japanese handicraft that uses the sap of the Urushi tree.
Saga Nishiki brocade was developed in the early 19th century by the Nabeshima family, one of the daimyo (feudal lords) of Japan’s southern island of Kyushu.
Threads made of cut-up strips of washi (handmade Japanese paper) are laminated with leaves of gold and silver.
The King and Emperor peruse royal artefacts – including the Emperor’s university thesis
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It was something of a meeting of minds for the King and Emperor as they made their way around a small exhibition of Royal Collection artefacts after lunch, as they pored over maps, letters, photographs and the Emperor’s own university thesis.
The two men, who are good friends having knowing each other for decades, were absorbed in the minutae of the Buckingham Palace exhibition, while the Queen and Empress occasionally giggled behind them.
The King has a copy of Emperor Naruhito’s published research on the history of the river Thames as part of his private library in Highgrove, brought out at special request for the state visit. It is signed by its author, then known as Prince Hiro, as a gift for the then Prince Charles shortly after it was written in 1989 when he was a student at Oxford University.
The two men have a shared interest in the environment and economy, with the King a vocal supporter of the private sector taking an active role in saving the planet.
Japan’s Empress Masako views a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection alongside Emperor Naruhito and King Charles
Credit: HENRY NICHOLLS/AFP
As they made their way around the five tables of objects, they asked academic questions of the curators and read labels in close interest.
The Queen and Empress followed behind them, with other members of the Royal family and the travelling Japanese court.
Prince William walked with his uncle Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, seen in deep conversation broken up with peals of laughter.
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester also attended, along with the Duke of Kent.
Among the artefacts on display was a letter from Prince Albert to Queen Victoria describing his experience as the first foreign royal visitor to Japan, photographs and notated speeches from previous state visits, and a large silk screen the Duchess of Edinburgh proclaimed “stunning.
Pictured: Former Japanese Emperor’s 1971 state visit to England
(from left) Prince Philip, The Duchess of Kent, Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Prince Charles, Empress Nagako, Emperor Hirohito, Lord Snowdon and Queen Elizabeth II
Credit: Hulton Royals Collection
3:07PM
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Pictured: Household cavalry member goes without her helmet
Members of the Household Cavalry Regiment arriving at Buckingham Palace
Credit: Jonathan Brady/PA
2:42PM
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The Royal Family share images of the Emperor’s visit
🇯🇵 🇬🇧 The Emperor and Empress of Japan have been welcomed to the UK by The King and Queen at Horse Guards Parade. pic.twitter.com/zLOtL6S2aZ[30]
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) June 25, 2024[31]
2:22PM
[32]
Japanese Emperor gets a taste of London traffic
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The King and Queen had an awkward wait at Horse Guards parade after the Emperor and Empress were delayed in traffic.
Their Majesties arrived on schedule just before noon, with their guests scheduled to arrive at 12.10.
The guards chatting anxiously at the sidelines were informed at 12.14 that the Emperor and Empress were one minute away, but they did not appear until 12.18.
Palace aides confirmed the unexpected delay was due to traffic.
Watch: Princess Royal’s husband visits her in hospital
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The Princess Royal’s husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, has arrived to visit her in the hospital where she has spent a second night[34].
Sir Tim, 69 arrived at Southmead Hospital in Bristol at midday, entering via the front steps, and was expected to stay for lunch with his wife.
Sir Tim was carrying a large blue cool bag, which may have contained their lunch.
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The retired Navy officer, who enjoys a low profile, accompanied Princess Anne, 73, on the 30-mile journey from their Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire to hospital on Sunday evening.
The Princess was transferred by ambulance after sustaining head injuries and concussion, having apparently been struck by a horse[35], and was forced to pull out of this evening’s white tie banquet with the Japanese Emperor and Empress.
Watch: King arrives at Buckingham Palace
The King and Queen arrive at Buckingham Palace alongside the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The Empress is wearing a face mask due to a chronic horse hair allergy #statevisit pic.twitter.com/zSxtNNq5wV[38][39]
— Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) June 25, 2024[40]
1:26PM
[41]
Royal procession comprised seven landaus carrying 20 people
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The King and the Emperor travelled in the 1902 State Landau while the Queen and the Empress followed behind in the Semi-State Landau.
Prince William was in a second Semi-State Landau alongside Hirofumi Nakasone, head of the official suite.
Hajime Hayashi, the Ambassador of Japan, followed in the next landau with Yasuhiko Nishimura, Grand Steward of the Imperial Household, Koro Bessho, Grand Chamberlain to the Emperor and The Lord Ashton of Hyde, Master of the Horse.
Other participants in the procession includes the King and Queen’s private secretaries,
Julia Longbottom, British Ambassador to Japan, and various other officials from both countries.
The King shares a joke with the Japanese Emperor as he admires the royal carriage
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The King and Queen have arrived at Buckingham Palace in carriages, accompanied by the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
The procession slowly made its way across the palace forecourt before passing under the central arch.
The carriages travelled around the quadrangle, where they were met by a second Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards.
As the procession arrived at the Grand Entrance, the Guard of Honour received the royal party with a royal salute and the band played the Japanese and British National Anthems.
The Emperor and the King were in the first carriage and the Emperor clambered out first as it pulled up at the steps, followed by the King.
The pair chatted amicably and enjoyed a brief chuckle on the red carpet as they awaited the arrival of their wives.
The Emperor appeared to admire the carriage, gesturing to it as they spoke.
The King and the Emperor chatted together amicably as they awaited the arrival of their wives on the red carpet before heading in for lunch, Prince William following a few moments behind #statevisit pic.twitter.com/V7hGlINe2J[43][44]
— Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) June 25, 2024[45]
The Queen and the Empress, who wore a white face mask due to a chronic horse hair allergy, got out of the second carriage and joined the Kind and the Emperor on the steps before they headed inside.
After lunch, the King will invite the Emperor and Empress to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to Japan
Watch: King Charles and Emperor Naruhito wave to the crowds
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1:00PM
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Pictured: Japanese Emperor and the King inspect the Guard of Honour
King Charles and Emperor Naruhito of Japan perform their ceremonial duties
Credit: Chris Jackson
12:47PM
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Pictured: The King and Emperor travel to Buckingham Palace
King Charles and the Japanese Emperor smile to the crowds as they travel in a carriage to Buckingham palace
Credit: Eddie Mulholland
The Queen shares a carriage with the Empress, who wears a face mask due to a horse hair allergy
Credit: Eddie Mulholland
12:42PM
[49]
Pictured: A gun salute is fired to mark the arrival of the Emperor
A gun salute is fired
Credit: Isabel Infantes/Reuters
King Charles and Queen Camilla shake hands with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
12:40PM
[50]
Carriages depart
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The King and Emperor will now travel along the Mall to Buckingham Palace in a procession.
The King and Emperor are in the 1902 State Landau, with the Queen and Empress in matching white outfits in the Semi-State Landau behind.
The Prince of Wales is also in a Semi-State Landau with His Excellency Mr Hirofumi Nakasone, Head of the Official Suite, with four further carriages containing Japanese dignitaries behind them.
Empress Masako is wearing a facemask for the journey as she has a chronic allergy to horse hair.
Pictured: The King and Queen share a smile
King Charles and Queen Camilla share a joke with a dignitary ahead of the ceremony
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
12:36PM
[52]
King and Emperor share warm words
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The King and Emperor inspected the guard of honour, this time found by 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, with The King’s Colour, under the command of Major Rhydian Emyln-Williams, Welsh Guards.
Emperor Naruhito walked ahead as is customary. Those with long memories may recall the fuss over President Donald Trump and the late Queen at Windsor Castle.
The King and Emperor were seen deep in conversation as they returned to the dais and then their carriages, perhaps reflective of the family history they share.
Pictured: The King greets the Prime Minister
The King greets the Prime Minister and other members of the cabinet
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The King and the Japanese Emperor shake hands with the Prime Minister and members of the cabinet
Credit: EDDIE MULHOLLAND
12:30PM
[54]
King and Emperor inspect Guard of Honour
After the Japanese national anthem was played, the King and the Emperor descended from their position in the dias to inspect the Guard of Honour.
The pair passed slowly along the line of the Welsh Guards and appeared to exchange warm words, as the King guided his counterpart through the ceremonial proceedings.
Prince William wears red in tribute to Japan
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The Prince of Wales has performed the honours of greeting the Emperor and Empress at their hotel, travelling with them in a convoy of cars to Horse Guards Parade.
There, the Japanese guests are welcomed by the King and Queen with warm handshakes and some conversation. Emperor Naruhito has a long history with the British royals which you can read about here[56].
In a nod to diplomatic dressing, Prince William is wearing a red tie.
Guard of Honour awaits the Japanese Emperor
A Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, awaits the arrival of the King and Queen and the Emperor and Empress of Japan. The carriage procession is due to arrive at around 1230. The band is playing Amazing Grace #statevisit pic.twitter.com/wVohKdksHE[58][59]
— Victoria Ward (@victoria_ward) June 25, 2024[60]
12:24PM
[61]
Prince of Wales arrives
The Prince of Wales has arrived at Horse Guards Parade with the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako in tow.
Prince William earlier greeted the pair at their hotel, on behalf of The King, before travelling with them to join the Charles and the Queen.
The Prince of Wales greets Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at their hotel in London
Credit: Jordan Pettitt/PA
12:21PM
[62]
King taps his watch
King Charles appeared to tap his watch as he waits for the Japanese emperor to arrive.
Proceedings are running about five minutes behind schedule at Horse Guards Parade, with broadcasters suspecting the London traffic may be to blame.
With temperatures reaching 28C in London, it is not a day to be left waiting out in the sun.
Pictured: The Queen arrives with the King
The Queen smiles for the cameras at Horse Guards Parade
Credit: Eddie Mulholland
12:13PM
[64]
Queen dresses in white to complement Japan’s national colours
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The King and Queen have arrived at Horse Guards Parade ready to officially welcome the Emperor and Empress of Japan.
To the sound of God Save the King played by the military band, they step up to the dais and shake hands with waiting politicians including Rishi Sunak, Lord Cameron, and James Cleverly.
The Queen is wearing a white crepe silk dress with a black piping by Anna Valentine and a black and white hat by Philip Treacy, accessorised with a diamond flower brooch. The women of the Royal family, led by the late Queen Elizabeth II, customarily dress in colours complementary to the visiting nation.
King Charles (right) and Queen Camilla take their places at Horse Guards Parade
Credit: Stephen Lock/i-Images
If the royal line up included the Princess of Wales, who will not be participating in this state visit as she continues chemotherapy, she may have chosen to wear red – making up the colours of the Japanese flag between Queen and Princess.
Long-term watchers of these sorts of events may have become accustomed to this sort of military pomp and ceremony, following Trooping the Colour earlier this month, but each event is rehearsed to the finest detail and is intended to honour guests with the best of British.
King and Queen arrive
The Welsh Guards have been commanded to salute and are playing the national anthem to mark the arrival of the King and Queen in a Rolls Royce.
The King disembarked first to greet the Prime Minister, foreign secretary and home secretary, followed by the Queen, who is dressed all in white.
Rishi Sunak arrives
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Lord Cameron, the foreign secretary, and James Cleverly, the home secretary, have arrived at Horse Guards Parade.
Their entrance was greeted with a fanfare of percussion and brass from the band of the Welsh Guards.
The Prime Minister (middle), Lord Cameron (right) and James Cleverly (left) arrive at Horse Guards Parade
Credit: EDDIE MULHOLLAND
11:55AM
[67]
King to inspect Guard of Honour with Japanese Emperor
The King and Queen will formally welcome their guests, and Charles will inspect the Guard of Honour – formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards – with the emperor before a carriage procession back to the Palace with Camilla and William.
After lunch at the royal residence, the guests will tour a Royal Collection exhibition in the Picture Gallery and then lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
Pictured: Welsh guards line up for royal inspection
Members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards ahead of the Ceremonial Welcome of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako
Credit: Chris Jackson/Getty Images
11:49AM
[69]
King honours Japanese car chief
The King has awarded a Japanese car executive for his services to UK and Japanese business relations.
Makoto Uchida, the chief executive of Nissan, has been honoured by Charles for his efforts to decarbonise the car industry by expanding electric vehicles.
Nissan has built an electric vehicles hub in Sunderland and is supporting the UK’s transition to electric vehicles by building a £1 billion electric battery gigafactory.
The move comes as the King, Queen and Prince of Wales are poised to formally welcome the Emperor and Empress of Japan to Britain today on a state visit.
Pictured: Japanese flags and Union Jacks line The Mall
Japanese flags and police on The Mall as crowds wait for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan
Credit: Peter Macdiarmid/LNP
11:17AM
[71]
Prince of Wales to miss England game to attend state banquet
The Prince of Wales will also take part in the visit, greeting the emperor and empress at their hotel on behalf of the King on Tuesday, and accompanying them to Horse Guards Parade.
Prince William, who is president of the Football Association, is expected to be at the state banquet despite it clashing with England’s last group game in the Euro 2024 tournament.
The Prince was in the crowd and shook hands with Denmark’s King Frederik X[72] after England’s 1-1 draw on Thursday against the Danes.
He also visited the England dressing room immediately after the game in Frankfurt to tell the players it was “not the end of the world” as they came in for fierce criticism for their poor performance.
Follow all the build-up to England’s clash against Slovenia here.[73]
Japan hopes banquet and visit ‘forges relations across generations’
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the emperor and empress’s visit would not be a political one and it was hoped it would forge “friendly relations across generations” between Japan’s imperial family and the British royal family.
The dinner, in the ballroom of the Palace, will see Mr Sunak and Sir Keir dress in white tie, process in and take their seats around the horseshoe-shaped table to hear speeches and toasts by Charles and the emperor.
A prime minister usually sits near the head of the table, with the leader of the opposition positioned further down.
State visits are planned by the Foreign Office, in consultation with the Palace.
Schedule ‘adapted’ to accommodate election
The visit comes a week before the July 4 general election.
There were no incoming state visits at the same time as a general election campaign during Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
In 2017, a Spanish state visit by King Felipe VI was quickly rescheduled – after an agreement between the late Queen and King Felipe – because the date clashed with a snap election in the UK.
A Palace spokesman said this week’s programme had been “slightly adapted”, adding: “As a general principle, it has of course been adapted as a result of the current pre-election period of sensitivity.”
Missing elements appear to be the usual Downing Street talks with the Prime Minister, a speech to the Palace of Westminster by the visiting head of state, and meetings with opposition leaders.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are expected to take a break from the campaign trail to attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, just over a week before the General Election.
No Princess of Wales or Princess Anne
The Princess of Wales, who is still having preventative chemotherapy, is not expected to attend.
The Princess Royal was planning to go to the white tie banquet, but has been compelled to cancel after an accident with a horse left her in hospital with concussion.
The 73-year-old Princess Anne will miss several engagements this week, as well as an overseas tour to Canada which was due to start this weekend.
The King himself is receiving treatment for cancer but will host the visit, which has been scaled back to ensure it does not conflict with General Election campaign conventions.
Emperor to have Buckingham Palace lunch ahead of banquet
The Emperor and Empress will have lunch at Buckingham Palace, and be shown an exhibition of artefacts relating to Japanese-UK relations from the Royal Collection Trust.
First, the visitors will be greeted at their hotel by Prince William ahead of an official welcome ceremony at Horse Guards Parade.
Tonight, they will attend a banquet at the palace.
References
- ^ The King (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ cartoon cat Hello Kitty (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Rishi Sunak (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Sir Keir Starmer (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ Queen wore the new Royal Family Order (www.telegraph.co.uk)
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- ^ spent a second night (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ apparently been struck by a horse (www.telegraph.co.uk)
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- ^ 1:45PM (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ #statevisit (twitter.com)
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- ^ #statevisit (twitter.com)
- ^ pic.twitter.com/wVohKdksHE (t.co)
- ^ June 25, 2024 (twitter.com)
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- ^ shook hands with Denmark’s King Frederik X (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ here (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ 10:58AM (www.telegraph.co.uk)
- ^ 10:38AM (www.telegraph.co.uk)
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