King Charles's strict rule during Japanese state visit that even Prince William must do

King Charles hosted a spectacular dinner in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace last night - marking the first day of the Japanese Emperor and Empress's state visit.

By Lauren Welch, Royal Reporter based in London

King Charles at the state banquet

King Charles has one strict rule during the Japanese royal visit (Image: GETTY)

King Charles has one strict rule during the Japanese state visit that everyone has to follow - even Prince William.

The monarch held an official state banquet at Buckingham Palace last night to mark Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan's three-day vist to the UK.

The couple are the first royals to visit the UK since King Charles's shock cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

The Emperor and Empress, along with a host of other guests, sat down for dinner in the Palace Ballroom.

All guests are shown into one of the staterooms before personally being presented by the King - and this includes senior members of the Royal Family

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Every guest in attendance must stand at their place until the monarch comes into the room.

Once the King takes to his seat, guests can then all sit down at their chosen spot in the elegant Ballroom.

Royal protocol dictates that the King will speak to the guest on his right during the first course - before switching to the one on his left during the second course.

On Tuesday morning, Prince William met the Japanese Emperor and Empress at their hotel - which was done on behalf of the King. Relecting on his previous visits to the UK, the Emperor described being made to feel welcomed like "family" by the British royals.

The Emperor and Empress then travelled to a welcome ceremony at Horse Guards Parade with the King and Queen Camilla.

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