King Charles III, Queen Camilla, and Prince William welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to Buckingham Palace as part of their three-day state

visit to the UK. The ceremonial greeting signifies the beginning of their visit, which includes various engagements aimed at strengthening military, scientific, and cultural ties between the UK and Japan.

Due to the ongoing general election campaign, the Japanese royal couple did not visit Downing Street. Additionally, Princess Anne was unable to attend the state banquet following a hospital admission for a head injury sustained from a horse-related incident.

The state visit commenced with a formal welcome at Horse Guards Parade, followed by a procession to Buckingham Palace, where traditional pageantry merged with contemporary international diplomacy. Notable figures such as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Foreign Secretary David Cameron, Home Secretary James Cleverly, and military leaders also greeted the emperor and empress.

Despite the unusual timing of a state visit during an election period, originally scheduled before the election announcement, the visit proceeded without the customary meeting with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street. Instead, the highlight was the state banquet held in the opulent setting of Buckingham Palace's ballroom, where King Charles III delivered a toast in honor of the guests, followed by a response from Emperor Naruhito.

Among the upcoming engagements, the Japanese visitors are scheduled to visit Westminster Abbey, the Francis Crick Institute, Kew Gardens, and the Royal College of Music. They will also pay respects at Elizabeth II's tomb in St George's Chapel, Windsor, and conclude their visit with a nostalgic return to their former colleges at Oxford University.

This state visit underscores the historical and diplomatic significance of bilateral relations between the UK and Japan, marking the first visit by a Japanese head of state since 1998. Photo by BPMI Setpres, Wikimedia commons.