The Emperor and Empress of Japan will make a State Visit to Japan at the end of June despite the ongoing general election campaign.
State Visit put in question by politics
The State Visit had been announced earlier this year but was put in doubt when Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, called a surprise ballot. Senior politicians often play a leading role in such visits and it was unclear how the campaign might impact that.
(OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTO BY ANDEA HANKS)
However, political involvement has been scaled back completely and Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will make a three day State Visit between June 25th and June 27th 2024.
Different look to traditional State Visit
They will be met at their hotel on June 25th by the Prince of Wales who will accompany them to Horse Guards Parade for the official welcome from King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The King, along with the Emperor of Japan, will inspect the Guard of Honour before joining The Queen and the Empress of Japan for a carriage procession along the Mall.
(amandabhslater, CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wiki Commons)
Their Majesties will hold an official lunch at Buckingham Palace after which the Emperor and Empress will go to Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Solider.
In the evening, there will be a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.
(Sky News/ You Tube/ screen shot/ fair use)
However, the usual meeting with the Prime Minister at 10 Downing Street won’t be held and the Emperor and Empress won’t make the traditional visit to the Houses of Parliament that form part of a State Visit.
Important role for Edward and Sophie
On the second day, the Emperor and Empress will visit the Francis Crick Institute before attending a banquet at the Guildhall in London, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
(i-Images/ Pool)
The final day of their State Visit will involve a formal farewell at Buckingham Palace where the Emperor and Empress will stay during their trip.
They will then visit the Young V&A where the museum’s Japan: Myths to Manga exhibition is currently taking place.
Poignant tribute to end State Visit
Before they leave for Tokyo, the Emperor and Empress will go to St. George’s Chapel, Windsor for a private visit to lay a wreath on the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II.
(By Aurelien Guichard from London, United Kingdom (changes by Rabanus Flavus) – File:St. Georges Chapel, Windsor Castle (1).jpg, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons_
The State Visit was originally planned for 2020, with Queen Elizabeth hosting, but had to be postponed because of the pandemic.
