King Charles and Emperor Naruhito's close bond laid bare in favourite royal hobby
EXCLUSIVE: The Imperial Family and British Royal Family are now following each other on Instagram, which may be a success story in itself.
The King and the Emperor of Japan arrive at Buckingham Palace
King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako this past week and the visit without a hitch.
Charles and Naruhito became acquainted in the 1980s, when Prince Naruhito studied at Merton College - Oxford and spent time with the Royal Family while living in the UK.
They met as princes, both heirs to the throne, and are Head of States, respectively.
We asked royal historian Carolyn Harris for her thoughts on the visit with the University of Toronto professor told Daily Express US: “There is a warm personal rapport between King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito as Naruhito attended Oxford and spent time with the British royal family during his studies.”
She added: "Both King Charles III and Emperor Naruhito enjoy fishing and attending the opera and developed a warm friendship through these activities during Naruhito's time at Oxford.
“At the state dinner, King Charles III welcomed the Emperor back to Britain.”
In 2008, Naruhito played host to Charles and Camilla when they made a visit to Japan.
READ MORE: King shows patient and playful side despite health battle in key royal moment
READ MORE: King's 'reassuring' public move shows he's in 'good spirits' during battle
Queen Elizabeth II hosted two Japanese State Visits, in 1971 and 1998, which were met with strife, because of the long shadow cast by World War Two, says Professor Harris.
Emperor Naruhito’s visit had a different tone, which focused on the longer history of Anglo-Japanese relations prior to the war, including the alliance between Britain and Japan in the early 20th century, according to the academic.
“In contrast to his grandfather Hirohito and his father Akihito, Naruhito was well received by the British public.”
DON'T MISS:
Privacy is a double-edged sword when it comes to the monarchy, says expert [INSIGHT]
The reason for the British monarchy’s success - how the Firm survives change [ANALYSIS]
Originally, this week's visit was scheduled for 2020, but it had to be postponed because of the pandemic.
Emperor Naruhito was meant to come during Queen Elizabeth II’s reign, but instead, he traveled to St George’s Chapel to lay a wreath on the late queen's tomb.
