A Japanese state visit to the UK hosted by the King is set to begin on Tuesday – but without the Princess after her injury.
The King and Queen will entertain Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako days before the UK goes to the polls.
Anne will miss the state banquet on Tuesday after suffering minor injuries to her head and concussion when she was reportedly kicked by a horse on her Gatcombe Park estate.
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.
The princess’s accident is the latest health upset to the hit the royal family this year, with the King and the Princess of Wales both being diagnosed with and undergoing treatment for cancer, and Sarah, Duchess of York, having skin cancer.
Nonetheless, the red carpet will be rolled out for the Japanese visitors and the formal state occasion will include the traditional pomp and pageantry of a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade, a carriage procession and a grand banquet at Buckingham Palace.
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Japanese Emperor Naruhito’s odd affection for the River Thames explained
Japanese Emperor Naruhito will have a busy schedule while visiting London, but one tour in particular has piqued the interest of those following his visit.
The Emperor will visit the Thames Barrier – retractable flood control gates of the River Thames.
Four decades ago, Naruhito studied 18th century commerce on the River Thames while studying at Oxford.
He even wrote a memoir called ‘The Thames and I’. In his book, he wrote: ‘It would be impossible in Japan to go to a place where hardly anyone would know who I was.
‘It is really important and precious to have the opportunity to be able to go privately at one’s own pace where one wants.’
Japanese state visit hoped to forge ‘friendly relationships across generations’
A Japanese Foreign Ministry official said the emperor and empress’s visit would not be a political one and it was hoped it would forge ‘friendly relations across generations’ between Japan’s imperial family and the British royal family.
A dinner in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace will see Rishi Sunak and Sir Keir Starmer dress in white tie, process in and take their seats around the horseshoe-shaped table to hear speeches and toasts by King Charles and the emperor.
A prime minister usually sits near the head of the table, with the leader of the opposition positioned further down.
State visits are planned by the Foreign Office, in consultation with the Palace.
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