Prince William Takes on Major Role in State Visit as He Welcomes Emperor of Japan

The Prince of Wales previously took on the official welcome with Kate Middleton when the president of South Korea visited the U.K.

Prince William is leading the royal welcome.

The Prince of Wales, 42, officially kicked off the Emperor and Empress of Japan's state visit to the U.K. on Tuesday, June 25, by welcoming them at their hotel in London on behalf of his father, King Charles.

Dressed in a black morning suit and red tie, Prince William shook hands with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako during the morning meeting ahead of a busy day of engagements. After the greeting, William traveled with the couple to Horse Guards Parade in London for the ceremonial welcome with King Charles and Queen Camilla.

Prince William similarly led the royal welcome with his wife, Kate Middleton, in November 2023 for the state visit of the President of South Korea. However, the royal heir undertook the job solo as Princess Kate, 42, continues her cancer treatment.

Although the Princess of Wales joined the royal family at Trooping the Colour on June 15 in her first public appearance in six months, the outing did not signal a return to royal work and public life. She said in a personal letter shared on June 14 that she is "starting to do a little work from home" and expressed a "hope to join a few public engagements over the summer," but any upcoming outings will be based on when she feels able and under medical guidance.

Kate has started to work from home and hold private meetings with her official teams in Windsor when she feels able.

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The first day of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako's state visit will include military pageantry in London, followed by a carriage ride through the city back to Buckingham Palace, where they'll have lunch and view items from the Royal Collection relating to Japan. The Emperor and Empress will also visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior and tour the church.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will reconvene with the Emperor and Empress of Japan at night for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace. The diplomatic dinners call for a glamorous dress code, and royal women often slip on tiaras, meaning that Queen Camilla may pick a sparkling headpiece from the royal jewelry collection for the evening. Other members of the royal family are also expected to attend.

King Charles, 75, and Queen Camilla, 76, seemed to be in good spirits as they welcomed their guests at Horse Guards Parade, where presentations were made, the Guard of Honour gave a Royal Salute and the Japanese national anthem was played.

The King and Emperor Naruhito, 64, then inspected a Guard of Honour formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, a regiment which calls Prince William its honorary colonel.

From there, the group traveled by carriage down The Mall, where they were met by a second Guard of Honour as they moved to the lunch at Buckingham Palace.

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