King Charles and Prince William Welcome Japan’s Emperor and Empress for State Visit
The State Visit from the Emperor of Japan to the UK was postponed in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic and altered at the last-minute because of the upcoming British general election. However the much-anticipated event began in earnest today as the red carpet was rolled out for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako.
King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the Emperor and Empress for an official ceremonial welcome at Horseguards Parade just after noon today as London basked in glorious sunshine. Earlier, Prince William had traveled to their London hotel to be the first royal to meet the couple at the start of the three-day visit.
“An honour to welcome Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to the UK this morning,” Kensington Palace posted on social media.
The Mall was lined with the UK and Japan’s flags for the visit, which was organized at the request of Britain’s Foreign & Commonwealth Office and intended to strengthen ties between the two countries. Prince William wore a red tie and Queen Camilla wore a white outfit by Anna Valentine and a white hat with black detail by Philip Treacy. Empress Masako was also dressed in white.
A Guard of Honour of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards had formed on Horseguards, and 41 guns fired in a Royal Salute from Green Park and the Tower of London as the King and Queen extended their welcome to the Emperor and Empress. As the Queen and Empress remained on the Dais, the King and Emperor inspected the Guard of Honour before the royal party and accompanying dignitaries traveled in carriages down the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The Japanese couple actually arrived in the UK on Saturday for a few days of private visits ahead of the State Visit beginning today. They will be hosted at Buckingham Palace this evening for a State Banquet where the King and Emperor will make speeches. Their program over the next few days includes a trip to Kew Gardens and a stop in Windsor where the emperor will lay a wreath on Queen Elizabeth’s tomb in St George’s Chapel.
The Princess of Wales, who is receiving treatment for cancer, did not join her husband this morning and will not be at the banquet this evening. Princess Anne had been due to attend the banquet but has been forced to pull out after suffering head injuries in an incident thought to have involved a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
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