Emperor Naruhito attends lavish Banquet hosted by Lord Mayor
The Emperor of Japan enjoyed more pomp and ceremony at the Guildhall of London this evening, where he was welcomed to another banquet by the Lord Mayor of London.
Emperor Naruhito, who is on a state visit to the UK with Empress Masako, was joined by Prince Edward at the music conservatoire this evening, where the Lord Mayor pulled out all the stops for a lavish banquet.
However, the Empress, who has previously been dubbed a ‘reluctant royal’ among the Japanese elite, did not attend the dinner as she has taken some time to rest.
The so-called ‘broken butterfly’ as she has previously been dubbed by Japanese media, is known to have a complicated relationship with royal life and also suffers from bouts of ill health.
Michael Mainelli and the Lady Mayoress dressed in all their finery for the banquet, which saw guests standing and clapping ahead of their dinner.
During the event, the Lord Mayor recognised the relationship between the City, the UK and Japan; following Mainelli’s recent visit to Tokyo where he discussed asset management and green finance.
Emperor Naruhito, the Lord Mayor, his wife Elisabeth Mainelli and Edward Duke of Edinburgh are pictured at the event this evening
The Emperor of Japan and Lord Mayor of London engage in conversation at the Banquet
A lavish Banquet has been put on for the Emperor of Japan in London today
The Emperor of Japan looked in high spirits as he was snapped next to the Lord Mayor ahead of tonight’s Banquet
Addressing the audience at the glamorous dinner, he made note of his family ties to the nation; including that his parents and sister lived in Japan ‘for many years’. Similarly, his son now lives there with his wife.
It follows an official state banquet last night at Buckingham Palace, where the Japanese royals were officially welcomed to the UK in style.
King Charles and Queen Camilla threw the glittering party for the royal couple after uncertainty over whether the visit would go ahead at all; partly due to next week’s General Election.
But after behind-the-scenes negotiations to pare down some more political elements of the visit, it got the go-ahead – with pomp, pageantry, and jokes about Pokemon characters.
And last night at a glittering state banquet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, Camilla showed off the King’s new Family Order for the first time – painted on plastic instead of ivory. The tradition, which dates back to the 19th century, normally features a portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds and suspended from a silk bow.
Emperor Naruhito was seated next to Elisabeth Mainelli and Prince Edward was sat next to the Lord Mayor
Prince Edward stepped out in a dapper ensemble, donning a white bow-tie and suit, which displayed his medals
Lord Mayor of the City of London Michael Mainelli attends the banquet at the Guildhall
Trumpeters play in the Great Hall during the lavish Banquet at the Guildhall
Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh joined Emperor Naruhito of Japan for the Banquet
Charles, 75, ditched ivory in favour of having his portrait painted – in oil by miniaturist Elizabeth Meek – on synthetic polymin. Camilla wore her new Family Order, along with the one she was given by the late Queen Elizabeth, on a cream silk crepe embroidered dress by Fiona Clare.
The banquet at Buckingham Palace also brought humour, as the King made light-hearted references to the popular Japanese cartoon characters for children, Hello Kitty and Pokemon.
Reminiscing about the times he has been fly fishing with the Emperor, he joked: ‘I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing – the Pokemon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational!’
Also in attendance was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 44, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, 58, who, unintentionally, sat on the right leg of the banquet table, with Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer, 61, on the left.
Emperor Naruhito attended the event without his wife, Empress Masako, who took a scheduled break from engagements today
Tables were set for the lavish Banquet hosted at Guildhall in central London this even
Prince Edward joined the Japanese royal on his visit to the Banquet hosted by the Lord Mayor this evening
The Japanese monarch looked happy as he conversed with others at the Banquet today
Mr Sunak did not take part in the official royal procession as he has done in previous years, though his wife, Akshata Murty, did. Other notable figures in attendance included the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, and composer Lord Lloyd Webber, 76.
Last night’s banquet rounded off the first day of the visit which started with the Prince of Wales – without his wife, Kate, who is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy – escorting the emperor and empress to Horse Guards Parade to meet Charles and Camilla, 76, at the Royal Pavilion.
Standing before them was Welsh Guards Guard of Honour, the magnificent Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and four divisions of the Sovereign’s Escort – involving more than 1,250 soldiers, 250 Army musicians and 240 horses.
Dignitaries also included Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.
CHEERS: The two heads of state clinking glasses after reflecting on their nations’ close relationship
Mr Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty arrives at the banquet alongside Japanese diplomat Mr Takafumi Shimoda
Queen Camilla wore the King’s new ‘family order’ for the first time as she arrived at the banquet
The Emperor and Empress of Japan pose for a picture with the King and Queen ahead of the State Banquet
King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako for a three-day state visit
The royal couple are undertaking several private engagements as well as the state visit hosted by King Charles III and Queen Camilla
The finishing touches being added to tables ahead of the State Banquet for the Emperor and Empress of Japan
A picture of a State Banquet table shows five glasses and several sets of cutlery for each place setting
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and his wife Victoria arrive at the State Banquet for the Japanese royals
Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch makes her way along the East Gallery for the State Banquet
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako were led around the Abbey by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle
The Japanese head of state being led through the Abbey’s Quire by David Hoyle and David Stanton
The couple are on a three-day state visit to the UK which was previously postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
The royal couple arrived in the UK for the state visit on Saturday, and will also carry out private engagements during their time in Britain
Japan’s Emperor and Empress write their names in the Abbey’s visitor book, watched on by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako sign the visitor’s book after being shown around Westminster Abbey
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan are walked through the Quire of Westminster Abbey
The Emperor and empress arrived in the UK on Saturday ahead of a long-awaited official state visit that was postponed due to the Covid-19 pandemic
King Charles III walks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan, followed by Queen Camilla and Empress Masako of Japan, as they view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace in London during their state visit to the UK
King Charles III talks with Emperor Naruhito of Japan as Prince William and Prince Edward look at Japanese items
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako of Japan, view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako of Japan, view a display of Japanese items from the Royal Collection
King Charles III and Queen Camilla with Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace
Queen Camilla with Empress Masako of Japan arriving at Buckingham Palace in London as the state visit begins
King Charles III (second right) and Camilla (second left) with Emperor Naruhito (far right) and Empress Masako of Japan (left) at the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade
Royal carriages carrying King Charles, Queen Camilla, Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako travel along The Mall yesterday
King Charles III (left) and Emperor Naruhito arriving at Buckingham Palace during the state visit
King Charles III (left) and Emperor Naruhito inspect the Guard of Honour at Horse Guards Parade
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and King Charles arrive at Buckingham Palace in London
Members of the military arriving at Buckingham Palace during their state visit
King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito of Japan arriving at Buckingham Palace
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and King Charles inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, during a state visit in London
The Prince of Wales with Hirofumi Nakasone, the Japan party’s head of the official suite, arriving at Buckingham Palace
James Cleverly, Rishi Sunak and Lord Cameron at Horse Guards Parade
King Charles III and Queen Camilla laugh at the welcome ceremony at Horse Guards Parade
Queen Camilla with Empress Masako of Japan and Prince William at the ceremonial welcome yesterday
Prince William greets Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at their hotel in London
Members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards ahead of the ceremonial welcome in London
King Charles III and Japanese Emperor Naruhito at Horse Guards Parade in London
The procession arrives at Buckingham Palace during the Japanese state visit
A gun salute is fired on the day of Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako’s state visit
Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and King Charles inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Welsh Guards, during a state visit in London
People watch the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards march past ahead of yesterday’s ceremonial welcome
Prince William greets Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at their hotel in London yesterday
A thrilled-looking emperor was invited by the King to inspect the Guard of Honour before the royal party left in a fleet of landau.
They arrived back at Buckingham Palace for a private lunch and a viewing of items from the Royal Collection – the priceless and historic collection of jewels, art and artefacts held in trust by the sovereign on behalf of the nation – with an Anglo-Japanese theme. The display included a book written by Emperor Naruhito more than 30 years ago when he was a student at Oxford University and the first history of Japan in English which was published in 1727.
The King and Queen showed their guests a gift received by the late Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her coronation in 1953 from the Emperor Showa – a delicate antique urushi lacquer box.
Meanwhile Prince William chatted to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, stopping by a huge silk screen gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by Emperor Showa. The scene worked in silk thread on a gold ground is from Murasaki Shikibu’s 11th-century novel, The Tale Of Genji (Genji Monogatari). Remarking on the scene, the Duke of Gloucester, who was also a guest, joked: ‘How do they keep their hats on?’
The Duchess of Edinburgh laughed, exclaiming: ‘Richard!’ before moving on. There was also an exchange of gifts, including honours.
The King appointed the emperor to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in the UK, while the emperor presented the King with the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan’s highest honour.
