By Jamie Bullen
08:24 25 Jun 2024, updated 14:59 25 Jun 2024
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King Charles and Queen Camilla have greeted Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako as they embark on a three-day state visit to the UK.
The Japanese ruler has received a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade with a carriage ride up the Mall before a state banquet tonight at Buckingham Palace.
Prince William is among the royals who will meet the Emperor later but the Princess Royal will be absent from the banquet after she was admitted to hospital with injuries caused by a horse at her home on the Gatcombe Park estate.
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13:59
Emperor Naruhito’s surprise passion
Before his state visit today, Emperor Naruhito would have already ticked off one of his bucket list items on his visit to the UK by visiting the Thames Barrier.
The 64-year-old head of state has a passion for the river after studying water transport on the Thames in the 18th century while studying at Oxford University.
On Monday, he made a private visit to the Thames Barrier – one of the largest movable flood barriers in the world – which is run by The Environment Agency.
Naruhito even wrote a memoir about it, enttitled The Thames and I, which was published in 1993.
13:42
Sir Timothy Laurence was every inch the doting husband as he was pictured bringing Princess Anne lunch in hospital as she continues her treatment for ‘minor head injuries’ following a suspected horse incident.
The Princess Royal, 73, suffered minor head injuries on Saturday when she was walking on her Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire and was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol.
Due to the injuries she sustained, the royal reportedly is unable to recall exactly what happened – but is believed to have been struck on the head by a horse.
13:37
Sir Tim Laurence – Princess Anne is ‘doing fine’
Sir Tim Laurence said Princess Anne was ‘doing fine’ and is getting better after he visited her in hospital today.
Speaking outside Bristol’s Southmead Hospital he said: ‘She’s doing fine. Slow but sure.’
Asked if he brought anything for the Princess Royal, Sir Tim said: “Just a few little treats from home.”
He was wearing an open-collar shirt and blazer, and carrying what appeared to be a blue cool bag.
He waved to reporters outside the hospital and put the bag in the rear seat of the Range Rover, before getting into the driver’s seat and driving away.
13:27
Emperor shown Japanese treasures in Royal Collection
King Charles and Queen Camilla have shown Japan’s Emperor and Empress a series of Japanese treasures from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace.
Footage of the incident was captured by The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English.
13:15
Japan state visit: What has happened today?
Japan’s head of state, Emperor Naruhito, and Empress Masako have today started their three-day state visit of the UK in a trip viewed as hugely important for Anglo-Japanese diplomatic, trade and cultural relations.
The Emperor arrived in the UK on Saturday and has carried out a series of private engagements before the official visit began this morning with a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards parade.
Let’s recap what has happened so far today:
Prince William met Emperor Naruhito, and Empress Masako in their London hotel before he accompanied them to Horse Guards Parade where they were greeted by the King and Queen.The Emperor inspected a Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, before he entered a carriage with the King for a short drive to Buckingham Palace. The Prime Minister broke off from the campaign trail to attend the military ceremony alongside his Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron, and Home Secretary, James Cleverly.Later this afternoon, the Emperor and Empress will visit Westminster Abbey, where His Majesty will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. Elsewhere, Sir Tim Laurence has arrived at hospital to visit the Princess Royal after she was struck by a horse.
We will continue to bring you the latest news, pictures and videos from throughout the day.
13:03
Watch: Prince William enters Buckingham Palace alone after carriage ride
We can now bring you the moment Prince William walked into Buckingham Palace alone after the Japanese Emperor and Empress took a carriage ride from Horse Guards Parade.
The Prince of Wales visited the Japanese head of state at his London hotel before he travelled to meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
His wife, the the Princess of Wales will not be taking part today as she continues to undergo preventative chemotherapy.
12:29
Revealed: Japanese Emperor and Empress caught up in traffic at start of state visit
The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English reports the King and Queen had an awkward wait at Horse Guards Parade this morning because the Emperor and Empress of Japan were delayed by traffic.
Their Majesties arrived on schedule just before noon and were greeted by Sir Kenneth Olisa, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako had then been scheduled to arrive at 12.10pm.
But guards, who chatted anxiously at the sidelines, were informed at 12.14pm that the Emperor and Empress were one minute away, but they did not appear until 12.18pm.
Palace aides confirmed the unexpected delay was due to traffic.
The King and Queen appeared to be in high spirits and were seemingly unbothered by the delay, making polite conversation to pass the time.
When the Emperor and Empress did arrive, with Prince William in tow, the ceremonial greeting passed seamlessly.
12:25
Eleanor Dye reports Empress Masako is arguably one of the most accomplished royal consorts in the world given her degree in economics from Harvard, the ability to speak five languages and a background in diplomacy.
However, behind the scenes her role as Empress is a complicated one, beset by health issues and struggles to adapt in an imperial household that does not allow women to take the throne or continue royal duties if they marry a commoner.
Read Eleanor’s report here:
12:18
Watch: The Masked Empress covers up for state visit
We can now bring you footage of the moment Empress Masako wore a face covering during a carriage ride to Buckingham Palace.
Masako sported a mask in the open top landau due to her chronic allergy to horse hair.
12:11
Pictured: Japanese royals taken by carriage to Buckingham Palace
The King and Queen arrived at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako to the sound of the Japanese and British national anthems.
The Empress was wearing a face mask for her carriage ride in the open top landau due to her chronic allergy to horse hair.
The royal carriage procession arrived at the palace at 12.38pm – eight minutes behind schedule.
The King and the Emperor could be seen deep in conversation as their carriage made its way around the quadrangle. The Emperor stepped from the 1902 State Landau first, and turned to wait for the King.
In the second carriage – a Semi-State Landau – Camilla accompanied the Empress, whose white face mask matched her dress.
In the palace quadrangle was a Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in their scarlet tunics and bearskin hats, lined up in formation amid the 27C summer heat.
12:08
Pictures: Japanese state visit gets under way
Here are some of our favourite pictures as King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako for the start of the Japanese state visit.
12:05
Sir Tim Laurence visits Princess Anne in hospital
Away from the Japanese state visit now and an update on Princess Anne
Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence has arrived to visit the Princess Royal at the hospital after she was injured by a horse.
Sir Tim arrived by car at the main entrance of Southmead Hospital, north Bristol, shortly after midday on Tuesday.
He and Anne are expected to eat lunch together.
It is believed his wife suffered minor injuries to her head and concussion when she was kicked by a horse on Sunday evening.
She was admitted to the south-west England hospital, which is a major trauma centre, after emergency services and an air ambulance attended her Gatcombe Park estate.
Anne married Sir Tim, her second husband, in a low-key ceremony in 1992.
12:02
Watch: Ceremonial welcome for Japanese Emperor
The Emperor and Empress of Japan received a ceremonial welcome of military pomp and pageantry as their state visit began.
The King and Queen greeted their guests on Horse Guards Parade where some of the nation’s most prestigious regiments were on display.
The two heads of state warmly shook hands as did their wives under a large purpose-built pavilion that shielded them from the blistering summer sun.
The Prince of Wales had escorted the emperor and empress from their overnight residence, arriving almost 10 minutes late in chauffeur driven cars.
Missing from the state visit is the Princess Royal, who spent a second night in hospital after suffering minor head injuries and concussion after she was reportedly kicked by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate on Sunday.
See video below for the moment the King met the Emperor on Horse Guards Parade.
11:26
Breaking:Emperor Naruhito greeted by King at Horse Guards Parade
Emperor Naruhito has now been greeted by King Charles at Horse Guards Parade to signal the start of his three-day state visit to the UK.
There had been fears the visit could be cancelled entirely in view of the forthcoming general election.
But following discussions between palace officials, the Foreign Office and the Cabinet Office it has instead been adapted to take account of political sensitivities.
Members of the Royal Family have been forced to shelve a number of forthcoming engagements that could be seen as diverting attention from campaigning or appear to favour one political party ahead of the country going to the polls on July 4.
11:19
Breaking:Pictured: Prince William greets Emperor Naruhito
We can now bring you the first picture of Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako as they were greeted by Prince William, on behalf of the King, at their London hotel ahead of the Ceremonial Welcome at Horse Guards Parade.
William – whose wife, the Princess of Wales will not be taking part today as she continues to undergo preventative chemotherapy – met the royal visitors at their London hotel before escorting them to Horse Guards Parade, where Their Majesties will receive them with a Ceremonial Welcome.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived in the UK at the weekend and have undertaken a series of private engagements but today marks the first formal element of their visit.
The King and Queen will greet the Emperor and Empress at the Royal Pavilion on the iconic quadrangle. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Japanese National Anthem will be played.
The Emperor, accompanied by The King, will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards.
11:17
Read our breaking news story as the much-anticipated State Visit by the Emperor and Empress of Japan begins in London today.
11:14
Watch: Moment King and Queen arrive at Horse Guards Parade
We can now bring you footage of the moment King Charles and Queen Camilla arrived at Horse Guards Parade to welcome the Japanese Emperor and Empress on a state visit to the UK.
11:10
Breaking:Pictured: King Charles arrives at Horse Guards Parade
King Charles has arrived at Horse Guards Parade ahead of a Ceremonial Welcome for Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
The monarch has arrived with Queen Camilla and will greet the Japanese royals before they take a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.
10:59
Rishi Sunak arrives at Horse Guards Parade
Rishi Sunak, Lord Cameron and James Cleverly have arrived on Horse Guards Parade for the Ceremonial Welcome.
The Prime Minister, Foreign Secretary and Home Secretary are taking time out from the campaign trail for the start of the state visit.
Mr Sunak will later attend the state banquet alongside Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch.
10:51
Pictures: Soldiers to welcome Japanese Emperor
More photographs have now emerged of soldiers making their way to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremonial welcome of Japan’s Emperor and Empress.
These images show members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards marching in unison.
A full-scale military rehearsal was held yesterday ahead of the state visit
10:43
Pictures: Soldiers march to Horse Guards Parade
These images show soldiers from the Coldstream and Irish Guards march towards Horse Guards Parade.
The troops are as taking part in the ceremonial welcome for the state visit of the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
10:39
WATCH LIVE: Japanese Emperor Naruhito in UK on state visit
To follow the first day of the Japanese state visit to the UK as King Charles and Queen Camila host Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, watch our stream below:
10:39
Horse Guards Parade ‘looking fantastic’
Horse Guards Parade is ‘looking fantastic’ ahead of the ceremonial welcome for Japanese Emperor Naruhito later this mornng.
The Japanese rulers have certainly picked a fine week for a UK state visit with the country bathed in sunshine and enjoying soaring temperatures.
Don’t forget to follow our live blog and the Daily Mail’s Royal Editor Rebecca English who will be reporting in London.
We will bring you the action as soon as we can.
10:23
Pictured: Mall awaits carriage procession
The first pictures of police officers on horseback riding on The Mall have emerged as we await the start of the Japanese Emperor’s three-day state visit.
10:04
Sunak to break from campaign trail for Japan visit
The Prime Minister is unlikely to be campaigning on Tuesday, as he is attending a ceremonial welcome for the Emperor and Empress of Japan, in addition to a state banquet at Buckingham Palace in the evening.
Rishi Sunak will be joined at the Horse Guards Parade this morning by Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.
Lord Cameron will then host a business event with Japanese investors, trade partners, and some of the top UK businesses with operations in Japan.
Mr Sunak will attend the banquet alongside Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt, Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Minister for the Indo-Pacific Anne-Marie Trevelyan.
09:45
Royal watchers filling up The Mall
Pictures from outside Buckingham Palace show royal watchers are starting to fill up The Mall as we await the arrival of the Japanese Emperor
09:31
MailOnline’s Josie Goodbody reports Japan’s first piece of Western-made jewellery, the Meiji Tiara, could well get an outing this week.
Because on Saturday, Emperor Naruhito of Japan and his wife Empress Masako arrived in Britain for a state visit that formally begins today.
And although Empress Masako came wearing a pearl necklace and similar earrings, she has a host of imperial jewels that she could call on for tonight’s State Banquet.
Read Josie’s report here:
09:24
Watch: UK prepares to welcome Japanese Emperor
The Mall has been decked out with British and Japanese flags ahead of the start of Emperor Naruhito’s state visit which starts this morning.
Rehearsals were carried out yesterday ahead of the ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade.
09:17
Britain and Japan ‘grappling’ with slimmed-down monarchies
Before we look ahead to the state visit, let’s take a look at the Japanese monarchy and note the similarities it has with the British one.
Japan’s monarchy has faced turmoil in recent years and is grappling with running as a slimmed-down entity.
The immediate succession crisis was resolved in 2006 when the Emperor’s younger brother and heir, Fumihito, now 58, had a son, Hisahito, in 2006.
But there is still a shortage of males and the women in the family lose their royal status when they marry commoners.
In 2021, Fumihito’s daughter Mako became the latest in a succession of princesses to lose her title when she wed a commoner. It has led to a shortage of working royals in Japan.
Craig Prescott, a constitutional expert at Royal Holloway, University of London, believes there is much for both monarchs to compare and contrast this week.
‘I think they are both grappling with, in a sense, the weight of history. I think there is a lesson for the British monarchy about being too small a royal family,’ he said.
09:06
Emperor and Empress to return to Oxford colleges
On Friday, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will return to their former colleges at Oxford University in a series of private engagements before leaving Britain.
Between 1983 and 1986, Naruhito studied 18th century commerce on the River Thames as a postgraduate.
While Masako, by then a young diplomat, studied international relations at Balliol College between 1988 and 1990.
He and Masako, who met in 1986, both did a bit of rowing and played other sports while at Oxford and developed a love of the historic city – particularly Christ Church Meadow – and the Cotswolds while there.
08:56
Japan state visit: How can I follow it?
For all the latest on the Japanese state visit, follow The Daily Mail’s Royal Editor who will be across events throughout the day.
We will also be providing live coverage with all the latest news, pictures and videos right here on this blog.
08:49
Japan state visit: What is happening later this week?
We earlier brought you the programme for the first day of the official Japanese state visit which will start in the next hour, but what about the rest of the week?
Here’s a schedule of upcoming events
The Emperor will visit The Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s flagship biomedical research centre. In the evening, he will join the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, for a Banquet at the Guildhall given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor and The Emperor will both make speeches at the end of the banquet.The Emperor and Empress of Japan will formally bid farewell to The King and Queen at Buckingham Palace on the morning of the final day of the official State Visit programme. They will then travel to Young V&A, part of the V&A family of museums dedicated to the power of creativity around the world, where the museum’s Japan: Myths to Manga exhibition is on display. He will also make a private visit to St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.Later in the afternoon, the Emperor will tour the historic Temperate House at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. On their final day in the UK, the Emperor and Empress of Japan will visit Oxford for a series of private engagements including a visit to the colleges where they studied.The Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress on behalf of The King, before they depart from RAF Brize Norton.
08:40
Emperor Naruhito reveals bond with King over fishing
Ahead of his UK state visit, Emperor Hirohito recalled how he bonded with King Charles over fishing after spending time at the Royal Family’s Highland retreat.
The two men bonded back in 1984 when Naruhito (pictured in 1983), the grandson of the then Emperor Hirohito, was a student at Oxford.
At a news conference last week, Naruhito also recalled Charles teaching him to fly-fish in the River Dee beside Balmoral Castle.
The [then] Prince of Wales carefully taught me how to put on a hair hook and how to throw itWe both put on waders and went into the river, where we saw big fish jumping nearby, but neither of us caught anything.
08:26
MailOnline reporter Ellen Coughlan writes Japan’s Emperor Naruhito regrets his long-awaited official state visit could not be made while Queen Elizabeth was alive.
Naruito, 64, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, and his wife, 60, will spend seven days carrying out private engagements with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
However the trip is bittersweet as Naruhito never got the chance to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth, who passed away 8 September 2022, after Covid stopped his planned 2020 state visit.
Read Ellen’s report here:
08:07
Which royals will wee see today? And who won’t be there
The King and Queen will feature prominently today as they welcome the Japanese Emperor and Empress on Horse Guards parade before a carriage procession up The Mall to Buckingham Palace.
The King will host a lunch and a state banquet at the Palace on Tuesday.
The Prince of Wales will also take part in the visit, greeting the emperor and empress at their hotel on behalf of the King before the ceremonial welcome.
William, who is president of the Football Association, is also expected to be at the state banquet but it clashes with England’s last group game in the Euro 2024 tournament.
The Princess of Wales, who returned briefly to the spotlight at Trooping the Colour last weekend despite her ongoing cancer treatment, is not expected to take part in the visit.
And it is confirmed Princess Anne will miss the state banquet after suffering minor injuries to her head and concussion when she was struck by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
07:58
Pictured: Rolling out the red carpet for Japan visit
The Mall has been decked out with British and Japanese flags ahead of the start of Emperor Naruhito’s state visit which starts today.
Rehearsals were carried out yesterday with security tight surrounding Buckingham Palace.
Take a look at these photographs as preparations were in full swing.
07:53
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako touched down in the UK on Saturday, four years after their state visit was put on hold because of the pandemic.
The couple enjoyed a warm welcome as they arrived at Stansted Airport for the week-long official state visit.
Naruhito, 64, and his wife did attend the Queen’s funeral in 2022 – this week he revealed how the late monarch had treated him ‘like family’ when he’d visited the UK previously – but it’s taken four years to re-arrange a state visit.
Read Jo Tweedy’s report here:
07:49
How Japanese state visit is a break from protocol
One unusual aspect of the Japanese state visit is the timing, with the Emperor arriving during a general election campaign.
There were no incoming state visits at the same time as a general election campaign during Elizabeth II’s 70-year reign.
In 2017, a Spanish state visit by King Felipe VI was quickly rescheduled – after an agreement between the late Queen and King Felipe – because the date clashed with a snap election in the UK.
A Palace spokesman said this week’s programme had been ‘slightly adapted’, adding: ‘As a general principle, it has of course been adapted as a result of the current pre-election period of sensitivity.’
Missing elements appear to be the usual Downing Street talks with the Prime Minister, a speech to the Palace of Westminster by the visiting head of state, and meetings with opposition leaders.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer are expected to take a break from the campaign trail to attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, just over a week before the general election.
07:44
Princess Anne to miss Palace state banquet
The Princess Royal will miss tonight’s state banquet after suffering minor injuries to her head and concussion when she was struck by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
Anne, a skilled horsewoman who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympics, was walking on her Gloucestershire estate on Sunday evening when the incident happened and after being given medical care at the scene, she was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol by road for tests, treatment and observation.
The 73-year-old will miss several engagements this week, including the state banquet and an overseas tour to Canada, which was due to start this weekend.
The princess’s accident is the latest health upset to the hit the royal family this year, with the King and the Princess of Wales both being diagnosed with and undergoing treatment for cancer, and Sarah, Duchess of York, having skin cancer.
07:41
Japanese state visit: What is happening today?
Emperor Naruhito (pictured) and Empress Masako will begin the start of their three-day state visit to the UK in a trip intended to reinforce relations between the two nations.
Here’s what we can expect today:
Prince William will greet the Emperor and Empress of Japan at their hotel on Tuesday morning and travel with them to Horse Guards Parade where they will receive a ceremonial welcome from the King and Queen.Presentations will be made including the playing of the Japanese national anthem.The Emperor will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, accompanied by the King.Afterwards, the Emperor and Empress will join The King and Queen, and The Prince of Wales, in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace.Following a lunch hosted by the King, the Emperor and Empress will view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to Japan.Later in the afternoon, the Emperor and Empress will visit Westminster Abbey, where the Emperor will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior. The Emperor and Empress will then return to Buckingham Palace for a state banquet.
07:29
The Daily Mail’s Royal Correspondent Richard Palmer wrote the following curtain raiser ahead of the start of today’s state visit
Amid all the splendour and pageantry of a state visit this week, King Charles and Japan’s Emperor Naruhito will reignite a friendship forged over fly-fishing and barbecues at Balmoral.
It will be a chance to catch up and help promote the relationship between their two modern countries and perhaps compare notes on how their two ancient but ‘slimmed-down’ monarchies operate in the 21st century.
The two men bonded back in 1984 when Naruhito, the grandson of the then Emperor Hirohito, was a student at Oxford and spent a few days at the Royal Family’s Highland retreat.
07:19
Good morning
Hello and welcome to MailOnline’s live coverage of the Royal Family as the King and Queen prepare to welcome Japan ‘s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the start of their three-day state visit.
There will be plenty of pomp and pageantry on display culminating in a state banquet tonight at Buckingham Palace.
We will provide you with news, pictures and videos from throughout the day plus all the latest from Princess Anne who was admitted to hospital with injuries caused by a horse.
Key Updates
New key updates available
Revealed: Japanese Emperor and Empress caught up in traffic at start of state visit
Emperor Naruhito greeted by King at Horse Guards Parade
Pictured: Prince William greets Emperor Naruhito
Pictured: King Charles arrives at Horse Guards Parade
Rishi Sunak arrives at Horse Guards Parade
WATCH LIVE: Japanese Emperor Naruhito in UK on state visit
Which royals will wee see today? And who won’t be there
How Japanese state visit is a break from protocol
Princess Anne to miss Palace state banquet
Japanese state visit: What is happening today?
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