Japanese Emperor's special connection to Oxford and the Thames as he returns on tour

While the Japanese royals are preparing for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday night, their UK tour will also give the former Oxford students a chance to return to our city.

The Emperor and Empress of Japan both studied at Oxford University with the Emperor evening writing a memoir of his time here.

Emperor Naruhito has a particular love for the region - and for the River Thames.

READ MORE: Mother-of-two's concerns were 'dismissed' before cancer 

He is a UK waterways enthusiast and he and his wife have already visited the Thames Barrier as part of this trip which has come close to the General Election on July 4.

The tour is set to end a week before voters head to polling stations - something that never happened during the late Queen Elizabeth II's 70-year reign.

The Emperor wrote his thesis on the Thames during his time at Oxford University. (Image: Chris Radurn/PA Wire)

As covered in the River Thames Society's Thames Guardian magazine, the Japanese Emperor studied at Merton College from 1983 to 1985 and wrote a thesis on cargo-carrying on the Thames in the 18th century.

He also published a memoir entitled The Thames and I - A Memoir by Prince Naruhito of Two Years at Oxford.

The book was translated by Sir Hugh Cortazzi and told of the then Prince Naruhito's experience as the first person in direct succession to the throne to study outside Japan.

The book explores his daily life and first-time experiences - including his discovery of beer and being banned from a disco because he was wearing jeans.

Empress Masako also has a connection to Oxford having studied international relations at Balliol College.

The Japanese royals are in the UK for an official state visit. (Image: Chris Radurn/PA Wire)

On Tuesday the Prince of Wales will greet the royal couple at Horse Guards Parade, before a state carriage journey to Buckingham Palace for a ceremonial welcome by the King and Queen, a visit to Westminster Abbey and an evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

MORE STORIES: RAF aircraftsman accused of 'vulgar' comments before alleged sexual assault

Then on Thursday, the pair will bid farewell to the King and Queen and privately visit St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, to lay a wreath on the tomb of the late Queen, before carrying out a private visit to Oxford the following day.

The couple will be in the city for a private programme of engagements including a visit to the colleges where they studied.

At the conclusion of the visit, The Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress on behalf of the King, before they depart from RAF Brize Norton near Carterton.

The Princess Royal will be a notable absence from the celebrations for the Japanese royal couple, after she suffered minor injuries to her head and concussion when she was reportedly kicked by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate on Sunday evening.

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.