King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK yesterday, marking the start of a three-day state visit.
The much-anticipated trip – which had been postponed from 2020 as a result of the Covid pandemic – almost didn’t happen again due to next week’s General Election, which has seen a number of royal engagements cancelled.
But after behind-the-scenes negotiations to pare down some more political elements of the visit, it got the go-ahead – with pomp, pageantry, and jokes about Pokemon characters.
And last night at a glittering state banquet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Camilla showed off the King’s new Family Order for the first time – painted on plastic instead of ivory. The tradition, which dates back to the 19th century, normally features a portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds and suspended from a silk bow.
Charles, 75, ditched ivory in favour of having his portrait painted – in oil by miniaturist Elizabeth Meek – on synthetic polymin. Camilla wore her new Family Order, along with the one she was given by the late Queen Elizabeth, on a cream silk crepe embroidered dress by Fiona Clare.
The King and Queen posed in full regalia ahead of a state banquet with the Emperor and Empress of Japan
In his speech, the King welcomed the Emperor and Empress in Japanese, before reflecting on the long partnership between the two island states
CHEERS: The two heads of state clinking glasses after reflecting on their nations’ close relationship
The King and Queen are hosting the banquet for the Japanese royals in the Buckingham Palace ballroom as part of the state visit
King Charles sat next to Emperor Naruhito at the State Banquet
Emperor Naruhito paid tribute to Japan’s relationship and history with the UK during his speech
In his address, the King also called on leaders to tackle the climate emergency with ‘vigour, determination and creativity’
The Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, smiles as he walks down the East Gallery to the state banquet
Mr Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty arrives at the banquet alongside Japanese diplomat Mr Takafumi Shimoda
Leader of the Liberal Democrats Sir Ed Davey arrives in white tie with his wife Emily Gasson
Labour shadow foreign secretary David Lammy and his wife Nicola Green
Producer and composer Andrew Lloyd Webber was joined by his wife Madeleine Gurdon at the state event
Left to right: British Ambassador to Japan Julia Longbottom, Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh and former Japanese foreign affairs minister Hirofumi Nakasone
Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron arrives at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Japanese royals
Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt makes his way into the state banquet with wife Lucia (far left)
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako walk down the East Gallery alongside King Charles and Queen Camilla
Queen Camilla wore the King’s new ‘family order’ for the first time as she arrived at the banquet
Pictured: A graphic depicting the menu at the state banquet, which includes poached Scottish langoustines, Cornish turbot and quail eggs
The banquet at Buckingham Palace also brought humour, as the King made light-hearted references to the popular Japanese cartoon characters for children, Hello Kitty and Pokemon.
Reminiscing about the times he has been fly fishing with the Emperor, he joked: ‘I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing – the Pokemon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational!’
Also in attendance was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 44, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, 58, who, unintentionally, sat on the right leg of the banquet table, with Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer, 61, on the left.
Mr Sunak did not take part in the official royal procession as he has done in previous years, though his wife, Akshata Murty, did. Other notable figures in attendance included the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, and composer Lord Lloyd Webber, 76.
Last night’s banquet rounded off the first day of the visit which started with the Prince of Wales – without his wife, Kate, who is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy – escorting the emperor and empress to Horse Guards Parade to meet Charles and Camilla, 76, at the Royal Pavilion.
Standing before them was Welsh Guards Guard of Honour, the magnificent Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and four divisions of the Sovereign’s Escort – involving more than 1,250 soldiers, 250 Army musicians and 240 horses.
Dignitaries also included Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.
The Emperor and Empress of Japan pose for a picture with the King and Queen ahead of the State Banquet
King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako for a three-day state visit
The King wore his collection of medals as he stood to pose with the Japanese monarch ahead of the banquet
Queen Camilla wore a long white dress for pictures with the Japanese royals before the State Banquet
The Emperor and Empress of Japan previously postponed their state visit due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The royal couple are undertaking several private engagements as well as the state visit hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla
The four royals pose for pictures while preparing for the state banquet
Tables set for the State Banquet in the Buckingham Palace ballroom
Impressive flower arrangements and candles complete the elaborate State Banquet table setting
Pictured: The two throne chairs at the top of the Buckingham Palace ballroom
Pictured: A plate bearing the cypher of Charles III at the centre of a place setting at the Royal Banquet
The finishing touches being added to tables ahead of the State Banquet for the Emperor and Empress of Japan
The last decorations are placed on tables for the State Banquet hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla
A picture of a State Banquet table shows five glasses and several sets of cutlery for each place setting
Around 150 guests are invited to the State Banquet in the Buckingham Palace ballroom, a set piece of state visits
Silver gilt spoons being added to the table settings at the State Banquet
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive at the State Banquet for the Japanese royals
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch makes her way along the East Gallery for the State Banquet
The Emperor and Empress of Japan were shown around Westminster Abbey as part of their state visit to the UK yesterday
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako were led around the Abbey by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle
The royal couple bowed towards the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior – a grave containing the body of an unknown British soldier who died in the First World War
Emperor Naruhito kneels down and lays a wreath at the tomb, which was the first to honour the unknown dead of World War One
The Emperor and Empress of Japan look up to the ceiling of Westminster Abbey while visiting the historic landmark on their state visit
The Japanese head of state being led through the Abbey’s Quire by David Hoyle and David Stanton
The couple are on a three-day state visit to the UK which was previously postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The royal couple arrived in the UK for the state visit on Saturday, and will also carry out private engagements during their time in Britain
Japan’s Emperor and Empress write their names in the Abbey’s visitor book, watched on by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako sign the visitor’s book after being shown around Westminster Abbey
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan are walked through the Quire of Westminster Abbey
The Emperor and empress arrived in the UK on Saturday ahead of a long-awaited official state visit that was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
King Charles III walks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan, followed by Queen Camilla and Empress Masako of Japan, as they view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London during their state visit to the UK
King Charles III talks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan as Prince William and Prince Edward look at Japanese items
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako of Japan, view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako of Japan, view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace
Queen Camilla with Empress Masako of Japan arriving at Buckingham Palace in London as the state visit begins
King Charles III (second right) and Camilla (second left) with Emperor Naruhito (far right) and Empress Masako of Japan (left) at the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade
Royal carriages carrying King Charles, Queen Camilla, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako travel along The Mall yesterday
King Charles III (left) and Emperor Naruhito arriving at Buckingham Palace during the state visit
King Charles III (left) and Emperor Naruhito inspect the Guard of Honour at Horse Guards Parade
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and King Charles arrive at Buckingham Palace in London
Members of the military arriving at Buckingham Palace during their state visit
King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito of Japan arriving at Buckingham Palace
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and King Charles inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, during a state visit in London
The Prince of Wales with Hirofumi Nakasone, the Japan party’s head of the official suite, arriving at Buckingham Palace
James Cleverly, Rishi Sunak and Lord Cameron at Horse Guards Parade
King Charles III and Queen Camilla laugh at the welcome ceremony at Horse Guards Parade
Queen Camilla with Empress Masako of Japan and Prince William at the ceremonial welcome yesterday
Prince William greets Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at their hotel in London
Members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards ahead of the ceremonial welcome in London
King Charles III and Japanese Emperor Naruhito at Horse Guards Parade in London
