The Queen has confirmed that she has invited Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan to make a State Visit to the United Kingdom this spring. The new Emperor and Empress have accepted the invitation.
The State Visit, the first incoming to the UK since the summer of 2019, will see the royal couple stay with the Queen at Windsor Castle.
It will be the first time that Japan’s new ruler has made a State Visit to the UK. Emperor Naruhito ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne on May 1st 2019 following the abdication of his father, Emperor Akihito (now known as the Emperor Emeritus). His enthronement ceremony took place on October 22nd 2019 with royalty from around the world, including the Prince of Wales, in attendance.
This will be the third State Visit from Japan that the Queen has hosted in her long reign. In May 1998 she welcomed Emperor Naruhito’s parents, the Emperor Emeritus and Empress Emerita (Empress Michiko), to London. In October 1971, Emperor Showa (Hirohito) and Empress Kojun (Nagako) made a State Visit. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh made their own State Visit to Japan in 1975 when they were the guests of Emperor Showa.
