At a sumptuous state dinner held at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday for Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, King Charles III praised the “close friendship” between the two countries as the Japanese royal couple kicked off a three-day state visit.
It is the first state visit to the UK by a head of state from Japan since 1998, and it is noteworthy as the visit takes place in the midst of a general election campaign.
Neutrality regulations have forced the removal of some traditional political components, such a Downing Street visit, but all the customary fanfare and fanciness has remained.
To the sound of gun salutes and the national anthems of both nations, Charles and Queen Camilla formally welcomed the emperor and empress, who arrived on Saturday and attended casual engagements throughout the weekend. The event took place in central London.
They also had meetings with a number of other dignitaries, including as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, whose administration has recently advocated for stronger ties with Japan.
The 75-year-old Charles and 64-year-old Naruhito examined the guard of honor before the royal family made the short drive in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for lunch.
The king later took his visitors to a special display of Japanese-related items from the Royal Collection. This was the king’s first state visit since it was made public in February that he has cancer.
He presented the emperor with an exquisitely painted scroll from Queen Victoria’s collection from 1855, which depicted Emperor Go-Mizunoo’s coronation in the 17th century.
Saying “wonderful, wonderful” while examining the artifacts on display was the present emperor.
