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Royal News

King Charles welcomes President of Nigeria to Windsor Castle for State Visit

By
18th March 2026
Queen Camilla in pale pink as she welcomes the President of Nigeria to Windsor Castle

King Charles and Queen Camilla are hosting the President of Nigeria on a State Visit, the first to the UK from that country in over 30 years.

The King was all smiles as he oversaw a ceremonial welcome for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle.

The President of Nigeria had arrived at the royal dais in Windsor Great Park in the late morning of March 18 under spring sunshine. President Tinubu had first been greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales who accompanied him and Oluremi Tinubu on the journey to the official welcome.

It’s an historic State Visit. The last such visit by a President of Nigeria was 37 years ago.

The Princess of Wales talks to the First Lady of Nigeria
The Princess of Wales chatted with Mrs Tinubu before the official welcome
(Royal Family Channel You Tube still/ fair use)

There, King Charles and Queen Camilla greeted the President who kissed The Queen’s hand as they said hello for the first time. After formal introductions to the dignitaries present, the pomp and ceremony of the State Visit really got under way as gun salutes were fired and the national anthem of Nigeria was played.

The weather was kind as the traditional carriage procession got under way with King Charles and President TInubu travelling through Windsor in the sumptuous Australian State Coach.

The Australian State Coach gleams golden in the sunshine as the Nigerian State Visit gets under way
A spectacular carriage procession began the State Visit by the President of Nigeria
(Royal Family Channel You Tube still/ fair use)

Queen Camilla and Mrs Tinubu took the Scottish State Coach in the procession with the third spot in the parade taken by the Irish State Coach which conveyed the Prince and Princess of Wales.

The Armed Forces lined the route which took the royal procession from Datchet Road to the High Street and swept through the George IV Gateway and into the Quadrangle of Windsor Castle.

A Guard of Honour was waiting and the national anthems of the UK and Nigeria sounded as the Australian State Coach drove into the heart of Windsor Castle, the oldest working castle in the world.

King Charles watches a march past during the Nigerian State Visit to the UK
A march past ended the ceremonial inside Windsor Castle as the State Visit got under way
(Royal Family Channel You Tube still/ fair use)

A spectacular military display followed with the President of Nigeria joined by King Charles as he inspected the Guard of Honour. There was then a March Past, adding another ceremonial touch to the start of this important State Visit.

The later part of the welcome included an audience inside Windsor Castle and an exhibition of some of the items in the Royal Collection with a particular link to Nigeria.

The Royal Family will gather later at Windsor Castle for a State Banquet in honour of President and Mrs Tinubu.

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About author

Lydia Starbuck is Editor in Chief at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.