King and Queen host State Visit for the Emperor and Empress of Japan at Buckingham Palace

The King and Queen hosted the first day of the State Visit for the Emperor and Empress of Japan at Buckingham Palace.

The King and Queen were joined yesterday 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 Japan Emperor inspected the Guard of Honour after exchanging warm greetings and the pair travelled along the Mall to Buckingham Palace in a procession and waved to crowds. After lunch at Buckingham Palace, the King and Japan Emperor perused royal artefacts - including the Emperor’s university thesis.

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.

A State Banquet was held in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom, with the Japna Emperor and Japan Empress as guests of honour King Charles and Emperor Naruhito made speeches and toasts at the banquet before the guests dined.