King Charles welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to Britain with a grand state banquet at Buckingham Palace, complete with a meticulously planned menu and symbolic gifts. The dinner, held in the ballroom with a horseshoe table arrangement, featured a starter of poached Scottish langoustines, a main course of baked Cornish turbot, and an ice cream bomb dessert with peach sorbet.
The wine list included Coates and Seely Brut Reserve NV, Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2016, Château Angludet Margaux 2014, and Laurent Perrier Cuvée Rose NV. The state visit began with a ceremonial greeting on Horse Guards Parade, and the Emperor and Empress presented gifts: a black lacquerware box for the King, referencing the Noto Peninsula earthquake, and a brocade handbag for the Queen.
King Charles reciprocated with silver and gold beakers and a bottle of Glen Garioch whisky from a Japanese-owned distillery, while the Queen gave Empress Masako a handmade fan with good luck symbols. The warm relationship between Charles and Naruhito, dating back decades, was evident as the Emperor recalled fond memories of the late Queen and Prince Philip.
Naruhito, who studied at Oxford, revealed that Charles once taught him fly fishing, though neither had success. The Emperor has requested to visit the tomb of Queen Elizabeth II at St George's Chapel in Windsor to lay a wreath.
