LONDON: King Charles III warmly welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan as their state visit to the United Kingdom commenced on Tuesday.
The UK, aiming to bolster its influence in the Indo-Pacific region, spared no expense in showcasing pomp and ceremony.
The royal itinerary included a banquet hosted by King Charles, a solemn wreath-laying ceremony at Westminster Abbey, and a visit to one of Britain’s esteemed biomedical research institutes. However, the emperor’s first stop held personal significance: the Thames Barrier.
As a graduate student at the University of Oxford four decades ago, Naruhito had immersed himself in studying the river’s role in 18th-century commerce, a passion he later chronicled in his memoir, “The Thames and I.” His affection for Britain and its people was evident as he recalled his experiences beyond the palace walls, from handling his own chores to joining pub crawls.
The ceremonial welcome on Tuesday exuded warmth, with King Charles and Emperor Naruhito, longtime acquaintances, engaging in friendly conversation as they rode together in a carriage.
During the visit, Empress Masako wore a mask due to a horse hair allergy, a detail highlighting the personal considerations in such diplomatic events.
Both nations regard each other as pillars of stability and mutual reassurance amid global political uncertainties. According to John Nilsson-Wright, head of the Japan and Koreas program at the University of Cambridge, the visit underscores not only the personal bonds between the royal families but also the profound geopolitical significance of the UK-Japan relationship.
