Arriving in England for a three-day official visit, Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako were given a fitting welcome by Charles III. After an initial military parade earlier in the day, the Japanese imperial couple were treated to the traditional state banquet on Tuesday evening.
As with every state visit, it was under the golden chandeliers of Buckingham Palace that the endless tables were set up. Charles III and Naruhito led the line of guests, followed by Masako and Camilla. This official dinner was the opportunity for the latter to wear for the first time the ribbon and the medal of the Order of the Royal Family of Charles III.
A new medallion worn on a white dress (signed Fiona Clare) with a well-known adornment: the “Burmese ruby tiara” and the three-row diamond necklace – “The Queen’s Festoon Necklace” – which belonged to Elizabeth II.
Prince William was also dressed to the nines, again and again solo, since his wife Kate Middleton continues her treatment for cancer. The Firm was also represented by Prince Edward and his wife Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, dressed in a green Suzannah London dress, worn with a magnificent adornment: the “Lotus Flower Tiara” accompanied by a large necklace and a pair of diamond earrings, which the late Elizabeth II used to wear for special occasions.
Three days of state visit for Naruhito and Masako
This first day of visit was busy for the Japanese imperial couple: first welcomed by Prince William at their hotel on Tuesday morning, Naruhito and Masako from Japan then reviewed the British troops during a welcome ceremony given to Horse Guards Parade.
What followed was a stroll in a carriage through the streets of London, a stop at Westminster Abbey and, in the afternoon, a visit to an exhibition of Japanese objects from the royal collection at Buckingham Palace. . This three-day state visit, which began on Tuesday, will end on Thursday.
As announced in the visit program unveiled by Buckingham at the beginning of June, it will be the turn of Prince Edward and Sophie to receive the Japanese emperor and his wife on Wednesday for a banquet organized by London Town Hall.
