This will be the couple’s second foreign trip since Naruhito ascended the throne in 2019. The Emperor, 64, and Empress, 60, are expected to land at Stansted Airport and begin their journey privately on Sunday (23) and Monday (24). Tuesday (25), pledges for three days before the start of the official programme.
The highlight was a royal party hosted at Buckingham Palace, which sparked speculation that Prince William’s wife, Princess Kate, might be present as the heir to the British throne. Under treatment for cancer, she made her first public appearance in six months at King Charles III’s birthday bash last weekend.
The 75-year-old monarch, who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, has resumed public duties since April. This week, Charles attended the Royal Ascot horse race in west London.
Naruhito will visit Windsor Castle and lay flowers at the grave of Queen Elizabeth II, who died in September 2022. The emperor and his wife attended the funeral, as did many foreign heads of state.
Naruhito was educated at Oxford
The Japanese emperor said he was “very grateful” that the king had been able to receive them. Before her, Queen Elizabeth II received two Japanese emperors as state visits during her 70-year reign: Hirohito, in 1971, and then her eldest son, Emperor Akihito, in 1998.
Before leaving for London, Naruhito spoke about his personal memories with the royal family. During his two years at Oxford University in the 1980s, he was invited to spend a few days at Balmoral Castle in Scotland. “I have fond memories of the Queen driving up and inviting me to a barbecue and (…) Prince Philip showing me around (the facilities) and driving around,” he recalled.
Crown Prince Charles at the time also taught Emperor Naruhito the art of fly fishing, but “we didn’t succeed,” the emperor admitted with a smile.
The royal couple’s visit plan includes a reception at the Royal Pavilion, where a guard of honor will give the royal salute, followed by a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.
On June 26, the Japanese emperor and his wife will visit the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research center, and the couple will travel to Oxford, where Empress Masako also studied, and will leave the United Kingdom on Friday.
(with AFP)
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