London: Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are set to attend a grand banquet hosted by King Charles III on Tuesday, marking the start of their three-day state visit to the UK.
The imperial couple arrived in Britain on Saturday and engaged in informal activities over the weekend, including meeting Japanese nationals in the UK and visiting the Thames Barrier.
The official ceremonies will commence on Tuesday with a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London. A guard of honor will present a royal salute, and the Japanese national anthem will be played.
Emperor Naruhito, 64, and King Charles, 75, will inspect the guard of honor before proceeding to Buckingham Palace by carriage for lunch.
Following lunch, King Charles will show the emperor and empress a special exhibition of Japanese-related items from the Royal Collection. They will then visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
The highlight of the state visit, the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, will take place in the evening. Attendees will include King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, who is anticipated to win next month’s election.
Attention is focused on the potential appearance of Catherine, the wife of heir to the throne Prince William. She has been largely absent from official engagements since December last year due to cancer treatment.
Princess Anne, the king’s sister, was expected to attend but will not be present as she is recovering in the hospital from concussion and minor injuries sustained in a horse-related accident.
