THE KING AND QUEEN

HOST THE EMPEROR AND EMPRESS OF JAPAN ON A MILESTONE STATE VISIT

- EMILY NASH

ROLLING OUT THE RED CARPET FOR THEIR GUESTS

The King, Queen and Prince of Wales rolled out the red carpet for the Emperor and Empress of Japan, welcoming them with a glittering tate banquet at Buckingham Palace. It was the crowning engagement of a three day state visit to the UK – the first since the King’s cancer diagnosis.

Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako were guests of honour at the lavish three-course dinner in the Ballroom, which had been decorated for the occasion with sumptuous silver-gilt vases and can Delara from the spectacular 4,000-piece Grand Service, dating back to George IV.

Arriving in procession as the national anthem was played by the orchestra, Their Majesties took their seats at the top table, with the Emperor and Empress on either side of them.

The Prince of Wales, without his wife as she continues her recovery from cancer, sat on the other side of the Empress, while the Duchess of Edinburgh took her place to the right of the Emperor.

With the Pr incess Roya l recovering from an accident on her estate, she was also absent from proceedings.

TRADITIONAL GREETING

After a drum roll, the King stood to greet his guests warmly in Japanese, using a phrase that translates to: “Welcome home to Britain.”

In his speech he touched on their shared experience, industries, cuisines and cultures – including the hobby of mountain climbing, adding: “This is a passion which so many British and Japanese now have in common – not least, at an individual level, Your Majesty and myself.”

He referred to close ties forged “from lessons of history, including its darkest years”, continuing: “Our shared values of freedom, democracy and the rule of law are more important than ever.”