Japanese royals set for palace banquet as UK state visit begins

Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako smile at the media as they walk through a guard of honour after arriving at Stansted Airport, England, on June 22, 2024. - AP

LONDON: Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako will attend a lavish banquet thrown by their host King Charles III on Tuesday (June 25) as they kick off a three-day state visit to the UK.

The couple arrived in Britain on Saturday, and carried out informal engagements over the weekend, including an audience with Japanese nationals in the UK and a visit to the Thames Barrier.