The state visit of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to the United Kingdom is fast approaching. Buckingham Palace has just confirmed the three-day program planned to welcome the Japanese sovereigns. In addition to the presence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla, other members of the family, including Prince William, will play an important role during the stay.
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Emperor Naruhito’s state visit to UK will take place
The state visit of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to the United Kingdom was more than threatened. Already planned for spring 2020, it was to be the first state visit made by the new emperor, one year after his accession to the Chrysanthemum throne. The visit was canceled due to the pandemic and was finally postponed to June 2024. However, King Charles III’s cancer had put its organization on hold. More recently, the dissolution of parliament, leading to general elections on July 4, really called into question the organization of this visit.
Buckingham Palace has just confirmed that the state visit will take place from June 25 to 27, 2024. The details of the program have even been communicated. This is a historic visit since the Emperor of Japan does not usually travel. However, he had already made an exception when he attended the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in September 2022. He then sent his brother, Crown Prince Fumihito, to represent him at the coronation ceremony a year ago.
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King Charles III will be assisted by members of his family
The imperial couple will take advantage of this exceptional trip to carry out a series of official engagements and private visits before the start of the state visit. The Emperor and Empress will therefore arrive in London on June 22. On Tuesday June 25, Prince William will go to the imperial couple’s hotel to greet them and invite them to begin the state visit. He will lead them to Horse Guards Parade, a square located at the end of the famous avenue which leads to Buckingham, where the official and military welcome ceremony will take place, in the presence of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. The British royal couple, the Japanese imperial couple, the Prince of Wales and perhaps other members of the royal family will then join Buckingham Palace to carry out various formalities, including the exchange of gifts and bilateral meetings.
On the evening of June 25, King Charles III and Queen Camilla will host their traditional state banquet in honor of their guests. On Wednesday June 26, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh will accompany the Emperor and Empress on the day’s visits, including being invited to a reception at the Guildhall, hosted by the Lord Mayor. On Thursday June 27, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will meet King Charles III and Queen Camilla for one last time at Buckingham Palace, where a farewell ceremony will take place. Before returning to Japan, the imperial couple will visit Windsor. In a private ceremony, the Emperor will lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II in the King George VI Chapel.
King Charles III has chosen to ensure as few public engagements as possible in the coming weeks. In addition to his treatment for cancer which prevents him from making numerous outside visits, the organization of the general elections is disrupting the royal agenda. Buckingham Palace has a habit of modifying its program in the run-up to elections in order to guarantee the sovereign’s neutrality of opinion. The choice of public engagements and certain comments made during these engagements could question its neutrality. The Princess of Wales will be absent from the visit program, due to her treatment for cancer. During military events, notably for the Trooping the Colors parade on June 8, she will be replaced by Lieutenant General James Bucknall.
Nicolas Fontaine
Editor-in-chief
Nicolas Fontaine has been a designer-editor and author for numerous Belgian and French brands and media. A specialist in royal family news, Nicolas founded the site Histoires royales of which he is the editor-in-chief. [email protected]
