Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako started a three-day state visit to Britain on Tuesday as King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed them with an array of ceremonies and a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
It marked the Japanese couple's second goodwill overseas trip since Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne in May 2019. Initial plans for the visit in 2020 were canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
At the start of his speech at an evening banquet, the king addressed the emperor, who had studied in the country and last visited in 2022, saying in Japanese, "Welcome back to Britain."
"At the core of our partnership is a close friendship, one based on mutual understanding of the importance of international rules and global institutions forged from the lessons of history, including its darkest years," he said before some 170 people in attendance.
In his speech, the emperor expressed his admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth and said he was "privileged" to have enjoyed the "very warm company" of Britain's royal family during his studies in the country.
"It is my sincere hope that both Japan and the U.K., as friends like no other, will continue to make untiring efforts for true mutual understanding through exchanges of their people, thereby building an enduring relationship based on friendship, goodwill and cooperation," the emperor said.
He also referred to the "sad period" in which bilateral ties were strained by World War II, saying he was struck by "profound feelings as I extend my thoughts to what was in the minds of my grandfather, the Emperor Showa, and subsequently, my father, the Emperor Emeritus, as they set foot in this country after times of great difficulty."
Emperor Hirohito, posthumously known as Emperor Showa, visited Britain in 1971, while Emperor Akihito did so in 1998. During the latter visit, former prisoners of war turned their backs on his carriage in a protest.
Turning to the future, Emperor Naruhito said, "We can say that we are fortunate to have been given the opportunity to climb even higher on this grand, broad-based mountain, guided by the path trodden by our forebears."
It was announced on Tuesday that King Charles has been presented with Japan's highest honor -- the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum. In return, the emperor was appointed to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry.
The official state visit began earlier Tuesday for the couple, who arrived in the country on Saturday. Prince William, first in line to the British throne, greeted them at their central London hotel before traveling to the Horse Guards Parade for a ceremonial welcome accompanied by a 41-gun salute.
Alongside the royal family, the imperial couple exchanged greetings with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, as well as Foreign Secretary David Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.
King Charles, who was diagnosed with cancer in February, and the emperor inspected a guard of honor, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, who played the Japanese national anthem "Kimigayo" and the traditional folk song "Sakura Sakura" (cherry blossoms) during the inspection.
The royal party then traveled up the Mall in horse-drawn carriages to the king's official residence. The route was lined with the flags of Britain and Japan.
Following lunch at Buckingham Palace, the imperial couple visited the Picture Gallery, where the king showed the emperor a scroll from 1855 that once belonged to Queen Victoria depicting the 17th-century coronation of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, according to PA Media.
The emperor could be heard saying "wonderful, wonderful" as he examined the items on show. Also on display were photographs of the late Queen Elizabeth's first state visit to Japan in 1975.
Later in the afternoon, the imperial couple laid a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey.
Their state visit will formally end on Thursday morning when the king and queen will bid them farewell. Catherine, Princess of Wales, who is undergoing cancer treatment, is not expected to make an appearance during the state visit.
To avoid distracting attention from Britain's general election on July 4, the visit has been slightly adjusted. Typically, state guests are hosted by the prime minister at No. 10 Downing Street, but this part of the visit has been canceled due to the election.
After arriving in Britain, the emperor conducted a series of private engagements, including a visit to Japan House in London and the Thames Barrier, ahead of the official part of the trip.
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