Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Empress Masako have arrived in the U.K. for their long-awaited official state visit, which was originally planned for 2020 but postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The royal couple, who have connections to the U.K. as they both studied at the University of Oxford, landed at Stansted Airport in London and will spend seven days carrying out private engagements before the official state visit commences on June 25.
This visit holds significance as it was meant to be Emperor Naruhito's first overseas visit since ascending the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019. However, due to the pandemic, the trip had to be rescheduled. The emperor did attend Queen Elizabeth II's funeral in September 2022.
The state visit will officially begin on Tuesday, with King Charles III and Queen Camilla welcoming the emperor and empress. A ceremonial carriage ride to Buckingham Palace is scheduled, where Naruhito will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey. The day will culminate in a state banquet at the palace, which will be attended by various dignitaries, including Conservative Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer, amidst the ongoing general election campaign leading up to the vote on July 4.
