Japan state visit details revealed – date, royals involved and Kate Middleton’s absence

Buckingham Palace has launched new particulars of the state go to to Japan, which can happen later this month.

On the request of the Authorities, King Charles and Queen Camilla will host Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace from June 25 to 27.

Prince William and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh may also accompany the King and Queen throughout some occasions.

The state go to was initially scheduled for 2020 however was postponed as a result of COVID-19 pandemic.

In a brand new assertion, the Palace introduced: “The Emperor and Empress of Japan pays a State go to to the UK from Tuesday 25 June to Thursday 27 June 2024, as company of His Majesty the King.

“Their Majesties the King and Queen will host the State Go to at Buckingham Palace.”

It has been confirmed that the Emperor and Empress of Japan will arrive at Stansted Airport on 22 June, three days forward of the state go to.

Her Majesty will probably be welcomed by His Excellency Mr. Hajime Hayashi, Ambassador of Japan. Viscount Brookeborough Ok.G., Lord-in-Ready, will welcome Her Majesty on behalf of the King.

Earlier than the state go to begins, the Emperor will undertake an inventory of personal occasions, together with visits to Japan Home and the Thames Barrier.

On the primary day of the official go to, the Prince of Wales – who’s caring for Princess Kate and their three youngsters throughout her most cancers remedy – will welcome the Emperor and Empress of Japan at their lodge.

Prince William, 41, will accompany the couple to Horse Guards Parade, the place they’ll obtain a ceremonial welcome.

The King and Queen will formally welcome the Emperor and Empress in a horseback parade on the Imperial Pavilion. Shows will probably be made, the Guard of Honor will give the royal salute and the Japanese nationwide anthem will probably be performed.

The Monarch, accompanied by King Charles, will examine a Guard of Honour shaped by the first Battalion Welsh Guards accompanied by the Band of the Welsh Guards. Following this, the Emperor and Queen, accompanied by the King and Queen and Prince William, will be a part of a carriage procession down The Mall to Buckingham Palace, the place they are going to be greeted by a second Guard of Honour shaped by the first Battalion Welsh Guards.

After lunch at Buckingham Palace, members of the Royal Household will view a particular exhibition on the Image Gallery of things from the Royal Assortment referring to Japan, earlier than heading to Westminster Abbey, the place the Emperor will lay a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

Within the night, King Charles will attend a state banquet at Buckingham Palace with Queen Camilla and different members of the royal household.

What else is on the itinerary?

Different visits on the itinerary embody the Francis Crick Institute, the UK's main biomedical analysis centre, the Younger V&A and the Royal Botanic Gardens at Kew. There may also be a banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor and the Metropolis of London Company on the Guildhall.

Along with London, the monarch will journey to Windsor to make a non-public go to to St. George's Chapel at Windsor Fort, and lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II. On their closing day within the U.Ok., the monarch and queen may also go to Oxford, the place they’ll attend non-public occasions, together with visits to the universities the place Her Majesty studied.

Who’s Emperor Naruhito?

Born on 23 February 1960, Emperor Naruhito is the present monarch of Japan and the eldest baby of Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. He grew to become inheritor to the Chrysanthemum Throne on the age of 29 following the loss of life of his grandfather, Emperor Showa.

On the age of 4, Naruhito was enrolled in an elite Japanese faculty, from which he earned a level in historical past in 1982; the ruler attributed his fascination with the topic to the invention of an historic highway on the palace grounds throughout his youth. He later studied at Oxford and met many members of European royal households. Throughout a celebration for Infanta Elena of Spain in 1986, he met Masako Owada.

Meet Empress Masako

Born Masako Owada on 9 December 1963, Masako grew to become Empress of Japan by advantage of her marriage to Emperor Naruhito, who ascended the throne in 2019. Masako was born to a senior diplomat and former president of the Worldwide Court docket of Justice and was raised principally in Moscow and New York Metropolis.

Following her training, Masako started working on the Japanese Ministry of Overseas Affairs, the place she was one in all solely 28 of 800 candidates to cross the doorway examination. At a celebration for Infanta Elena of Spain in November 1986, she met Prince Naruhito, earlier than they married in 1993. Masako tragically suffered a miscarriage in 1999, earlier than giving beginning to daughter Aiko in 2001.