King Charles paid tribute to the late Queen and her close bond with Nelson Mandela as he rolled out the red carpet to host his first state visit as monarch.
The sovereign led the royal family in welcoming South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, whose visit was in the planning before Queen Elizabeth II's death, saying the Queen “always talked warmly of her return to your country”.
At a glittering state banquet in the Buckingham Palace ballroom, the African leader, whose wife was forced to miss the visit after reportedly undergoing an eye operation back home, heard how freedom fighter turned President Mandela had an endearing nickname for Her Majesty who passed away in September.
Charles said: “During one of my own visits to South Africa, in 1997, President Mandela told me he had conferred on my mother a special name – Motlalepula, meaning ‘to come with rain’.
“I have been reassured that this was a mark of the particular affection President Mandela felt for the Queen... rather than a remark on the British habit of taking our weather with us!”
Charles, 74, added how “the links between our countries run deep, with extensive family, professional and cultural ties”.
The royals and their guests tucked into a lavish menu of two mains: grilled brill with wild mushrooms, truffles and sorrel sauce or ballotine of Windsor Pheasant filled with artichokes, quince compote, washed down with glasses of port for £75 a bottle.
The Princess of Wales, who has earlier accompanied her husband Prince William top officially welcome Mr Ramaphosa to London before meeting the King and Queen Consort, looked stunning in a Jenny Packham dress complete with a stunning the Lover’s Knot tiara, a diamond and pearl-encrusted headpiece made in 1914, a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales, who wore it many times.
Kate complimented her outfit with a bracelet belonging to the late Queen and earrings also belonging to the late Princess of Wales
The Queen Consort also beamed in a Royal blue lace evening dress by Bruce Oldfield, also wearing the late Queen's sapphire and diamond tiara plus matching necklace and bracelet.
Earlier in the day the African leader’s official arrival amid stunning blue skis at London’s Horse Guards Parade by more than 1,000 soldiers, 230 horses, seven military bands and two state coaches.
The King and Queen Consort arrived in the State Bentley to greet their VIP guest after he had earlier been met at his central London hotel by the Prince and Princess of Wales at the start of his two-day official visit to the UK.
The pomp and ceremony began as soon as the president's motorcade arrived at Horse Guards Parade, with the King's Life Guard, positioned on Whitehall, giving a salute.
Mr Ramaphosa's limousine crossed the open space overlooked by Wellington's former office and as he stepped on to the royal pavilion to be greeted by the King, gun salutes were fired across London.
In nearby Green Park, 41 volleys were fired by the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and 62 were fired at the Tower of London by the Honourable Artillery Company - an extra 21 for the City of London.
After the King and President inspected a guard of honour, at Buckingham Palace Charles then took Mr Ramaphosa on a tour of Royal Collection items relating to South Africa on display at the sovereign's headquarters.
Both men voiced their mutual respect and admiration for the late freedom fighter and South African President Nelson Mandela and the late Queen.
When Mr Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the Queen with former president Mr Mandela during a 1996 Buckingham Palace state banquet, he said: "This lovely picture," and agreed when the King replied: "You were lucky to have known both."
As they came across a photograph of Charles with the Spice Girls band in South Africa in 1997, the president said: "There you are," with Charles adding with a smile: "There they are."
The Prince of Wales later spotted the photo, saying with a grin to his accompanying guests: "My father in South Africa - the Spice Girls."
The President will today visit Kew Gardens with the Earl of Wessex and hold a bi-lateral meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
