Empress Masako of Japan wore a face mask for the State Visit procession along the Mall – and there was a striking reason for her choice.
The Empress is allergic to horses and, rather than miss the spectacular procession, she chose to wear a mask instead to protect from any potential reaction.
Embed from Getty ImagesEmpress Masako joined Queen Camilla in a semi-state landau for the parade along the Mall to Buckingham Palace.
Earlier, the Emperor and Empress of Japan were officially welcomed to the UK for their State Visit by The King and Queen at Horse Guards Parade.’
They had been accompanied to the ceremony by the Prince of Wales who had met them at their hotel to begin the welcome.
The State Visit has been altered because of the general election campaign. The usual meetings with politicians have been removed from the agenda although the Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak, was at the official welcome ceremony along with the Foreign Secretary, Lord Cameron of Chipping Norton and the Home Secretary, James Cleverley.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe first day of the State Visit will end with a glittering State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.
The Princess Royal won’t be in attendance – she remains in hospital where she is being treated for concussion and light head injuries after an accident at her home at Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire at the weekend.
