Japanese State Visit: King Charles leaves guests in stitches as he delivers key speech

She accessorised the beautiful ensemble with a diamond necklace and a matching set of ruby and diamond earrings and bracelet.

But it was Camilla's striking and highly controversial tiara which stole the show - the Burmese Ruby and diamond tiara, famously worn by the late Queen Elizabeth and estimated to be worth around £7million.

Elizabeth commissioned the House of Garrard in 1973 to create the Burmese Ruby tiara with gems she received as a wedding present from the people of Burma.

The tiara features a total of 96 rubies and a selection of diamonds, including some from the Nizam of Hyderabad tiara, which had to be dismantled, in order for the new tiara to be made.

The King and Queen were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, who had the honour of sitting next to the Emperor on the top table, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.

Princess Anne, who spent a third night in hospital after a horse injury, was due to attend alongside her husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence but both pulled out after the incident.

Rishi Sunak was joined by a handful of his top team, with invites also extended to the leader of the opposition, who was sat next to the King’s private secretary Sir Clive Alderton and Liberal Democrat leader SIr Ed Davey.

Lord Webber, Youtuber Chris Broad, chef Miho Sato and former astronaut Naoko Yamazaki were also among the guests.

The Emperor’s speech also celebrated the “friendship and goodwill” of the two nations and said: “Our bilateral relations have never been more robust.”

He spoke fondly of the late Queen Elizabeth who he said “I greatly admired” and noted the importance of working together.

Emperor Naruhito also dropped in a line about an analogue computer system resembling Doctor Who’s Tardis before toasting to the King and Queen’s good health and the lasting happiness of the people of Japan and the UK.

His Majesty spoke fondly about his fond memories of going to the opera and fly fishing with Emperor Naruhito.

He said: “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.”

The King then toasted to the Emperor and Empress and the Japanese people before saying Kan-Pai - cheers in Japanese.

The King hailed the “close friendship” between Japan and Britain as he welcomed the country’s Emperor and Empress for a three-day state visit.

Speaking at the state banquet, Charles spoke fondly of the two nation’s shared values, commitment to the urgent climate crisis, love of tea and even wished a happy 50th birthday to Hello Kitty.

“My wife and I are so delighted to be able to welcome you to Buckingham Palce this evening,” he said, before saying in Japanese: “Welcome back to Britain!”

The King noted that the core of their partnership is “a close friendship” and detailed how Japan and Britain have forged closer ties through innovation, business, science and security.

He joked: “Supporting all these shared endeavours and the enduring ties between our people that transcend geography - and that does not just mean how much we enjoy tea, and talking about the weather!”

The State Banquet at Buckingham Palace is kicking off this evening, with new pictures showing the stunning set-up.

Starter:

Poached Scottish langoustines on a nest of Cucumber with Basil Mousse, chilled Tomato consommé

Main:

Baked Fillet of Cornish Turbot, with herb butter wrapped in lettuce, Sorrel Cream sauce.

Selection of Summer Vegetables, Creamed Potato and Spinach Croquette, Salad of Green Beans and Quail Eggs

Dessert:

Ice cream bomb with peach Sorbet insert, on a bed of compressed peaches

Wine:

Coates and Seely Brut Reserve NV, Kumeu River, Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2016, Château Angludet, Margaux 2014, Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rose NV

Alongside floral displays including roses from the gardens of Buckingham Palace and Windsor

Castle, the banquet tables will feature Palmatum Seiryu Acer trees, known as the Japanese

Maple. The Acers will be retained and repurposed for future displays at Buckingham Palace.

The Royal Family has released a sneak peak of this evening's State Banquet, with staff putting on the finishing touches.

The Emperor and Empress of Japan lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey on the occassion of the Japanese state visit to the United Kingdom.

King Charles and Queen Camilla have exchanged some lavish gifts with the Japanese Emperor and Empress during their visit to the UK.

The Empress and Emperor Naruhito of Japan are beginning a three-day state official state visit, and following a ceremonial welcome at the Horse Guards Parade, travelled to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch.

Empress Masako of Japan has provoked a reaction on social media with her decision to wear a face mask while accompanying Queen Camilla on a carriage ride in the Semi-State Landau.

The Empress and Emperor Naruhito of Japan are beginning a three-day state official state visit, and following a ceremonial welcome at the Horse Guards Parade travelled to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch.

Queen Camilla has wowed crowds in monochrome as she and King Charles kick off the first day of the Japanese State Visit, as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are officially welcomed.

The Queen is wearing a white crepe silk dress with black piping by royal favourite Anna Valentine, with a matching black and white hat by Philip Treacy and a diamond flower brooch.

King Charles and Emperor Naruhito of Japan smile as they travel in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace after the ceremonial welcome. This is day one of their state visit to the United Kingdom.

Prince William greeted the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and his wife on behalf of King Charles.

Prince William has arrived to greet the Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.

Video credit: @emsferg/X

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at the Horse Guards for the ceremonial welcome.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron ahead of the Ceremonial Welcome of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan by King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their state visit to the United Kingdom at Horse Guards Parade today in London.

Preparations are underway for the Japanese State Visit.

Members of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards ahead of the Ceremonial Welcome of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan by King Charles III and Queen Camilla during their state visit to the United Kingdom at Horse Guards Parade.

Pictures show the moment a Cavalry Guard dramatically falls to the floor in searing London heat amid rehearsals in the capital. The guard is thought to have fainted as the city baked in 27C highs in the first heatwave of the year.

It's thought the guard passed out during a procession rehearsal ahead of the Emperor and Empress of Japan visiting today (June 25). Photos show the guard laying face fown on the floor with concerned spectators stunned from behind the railings.

Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako landed in the UK at the weekend and are gearing up to participate in a series of engagements hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla from today. It marks the first Japanese state visit to the UK since 1998.The state visit had been four years in the making after an initial trip planned for 2020 was cancelled because of the pandemic. It has also been "slightly adapted" because of Rishi Sunak calling a general election for July 4, but the trip will include a military parade complete with a carriage procession down The Mall in central London.

Japanese and British flags line Pall Mall ahead of the state visit of Japan's Emperor and Empress.

Princess Anne will be unable to attend the state banquet on Tuesday after suffering minor injuries from a horse kick at Gatcombe Park estate.

She was walking on her Gloucestershire estate on Sunday evening when the horse kicked out. She was taken to Southmead Hospital in Bristol for treatment and observations.

The Emperor and Empress arrived in the UK on Saturday, but the royal element of the trip begins on Tuesday.

The trip starts with a greeting from Prince William, who will accompany them to Horse Guards Parade where they will meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.

In the evening, the royals will host their visitors at a State Banquet, where both King Charles and Emperor Naruhito will make speeches.

On Wednesday, the Emperor will visit The Francis Crick Institute, the UK’s flagship biomedical research centre. He will also attend a banquet at the Guildhall with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.

On Thursday, they will bid farewell to the King and Queen and visit a museum. They also plan to stop by St George's Chapel to pay tribute to Queen Elizabeth II.

They will then spend their final day in the UK visiting Oxford, where Emperor Naruhito studied.

The Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to the Emperor and Empress before they set off from RAF Brize Norton.

The Emperor studied at Oxford University and said prior to his trip that he had fond memories of the UK – including those of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

He said: "I have very fond memories of the Queen driving a car and inviting me to a barbecue and Prince Philip showing me around by driving a carriage himself.

"I was welcomed with warmth as if I were their family member."

Good morning. Follow this live blog to get all of the latest news and updates as Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are officially welcomed to the UK for their state visit.