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The Prince of Wales has just undertaken a whirlwind two-day visit to Japan, to attend the enthronement ceremony of the country’s new emperor, Emperor Naruhito.
Prince Charles joined an impressive guest list of royals and dignitaries from more than 170 countries for the significant ceremony which is more than 2000 years old.
The Sokui no Rei (Ceremony of Accession) at the Imperial Palace saw Emperor Naruhito formally ascend the Chrysanthemum Throne, following the abdication of his father Emperor Akihito due to health reasons earlier this year – the country’s first abdication in 200 years.
The Japanese monarchy is said to be the oldest continuous hereditary monarchy in the world.
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako (right) during the Enthronement Ceremony at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. (Image: Getty)
Prince Charles travelled to Tokyo for the ceremony earlier this week on behalf of his mother The Queen, his second experience of the sacred ceremony, when he attended Emperor Akihito’s enthronement ceremony in November 1990 with Princess Diana.
This time, however, he travelled solo but had plenty of familiar faces to keep him company, seated next to the Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark.
Prince Charles sat alongside Crown Princess Mary and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark during the ceremony. (Image: Getty)
Not far away were many more royals from across Europe, including King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain and King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands, who Charles had helped host in England earlier this year when both couples attended the Order of the Garter ceremony.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain arrive at the Court Banquet. (Image: Getty)
Other royals in attendance included King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden and his daughter Crown Princess Victoria, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan, King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah of Malaysia.
Following the ceremony, guests were invited to an afternoon garden party followed by a court banquet at the Imperial Palace.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan arrive at the Enthronement Ceremony. (Image: Getty)
And while Prince Charles’ visit to the East Asian country, this time marked his fifth visit, was a fleeting one, that didn’t stop the future King of England from having a jam-packed schedule, attending an impressive number of engagements across his short visit to celebrate the British-Japanese connections.
Prince Charles’ engagements included a tour of the Nezu Museum and gardens in Tokyo and also paid a visit to the Zōjōji Temple where he was greeted by the Head Monk, Yagi-daika.
The Prince of Wales also board the Royal Navy ship HMS Enterprise where he met with the crew and heard from senior figures from the Japan Climate Leaders Partnership on the work that’s being done to combat plastic waste in the oceans and climate change, something the 70-year-old is incredibly vocal and passionate about.
Before departing he also attended a special reception at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Tokyo, but not before getting involved in some Rugby World Cup fever, heading to one of the Welsh rugby team’s training sessions to wish them luck ahead of their semi-final match against South Africa this weekend.
Prince Charles visits the Welsh rugby team as they train for their upcoming semi-finals match as part of the Rugby World Cup. (Image: Getty)
Prince Charles will have just three weeks on home soil before he jets off again, this time down to our shores with Duchess Camilla for a tour of New Zealand next month from November 17th to the 25th, just two days after the heir apparent turns 71.
Earlier this month the royal couple’s itinerary was released, with many of Prince Charles’ engagements focusing on young people and youth opportunity as well as environmental issues – with particular emphasis on tackling plastic weight, while Camilla with focus on her key themes which include domestic violence and literacy.
The couple will travel from Auckland to Waitangi to Christchurch and will also pay a visit to Kaikōura.
Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla will visit New Zealand between November 17th to 25th. (Image: Getty)
Following the announcement back in June, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the future King’s passion for the environment and conservation.
“I know that the couple have enjoyed New Zealanders’ warm hospitality and manaakitanga when they visited previously,” she said in a statement.
“The Prince of Wales has been a strong advocate for the environment, conservation and sustainability for many years.
“This visit will provide opportunities for him to engage with New Zealand on those subjects, and to learn more about the ways in which New Zealand is preparing for the future.”
