Article by: Miku Kudo

Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress interacted with many people

　Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, who had visited the United Kingdom to attend the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II from September 17 to 20, returned safely to Japan on the evening of September 20. The Emperor of Japan conveyed his condolences directly to the new King Charles and Queen Camilla and conveyed the condolences that His Majesty the Emperor Emeritus and Her Majesty the Emperor Emerita had expressed to him. What kind of people did His Majesty and the Empress meet in England? Here are some of the people who were revealed to us by their entourage.

・The "special" relationship between the Dutch Royal Family and the Imperial Family

　First, at the reception hosted by King Charles on the 19th, which His Majesty the Emperor attended alone, it appears that he met with many European royalty. In particular, King Alexander of the Netherlands, Queen Maxima, and former Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands were specifically mentioned. The Dutch Royal Family and the Japanese Imperial Family have a very close relationship: In August 2006, then Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands invited Their Majesties the Crown Prince and Princess Aiko (then 4 years old) to the Dutch Royal Family's villa to help Masako, diagnosed with an adjustment disorder, recover from her illness. The family's bursting smiles are impressive.

 

・Interaction with the Royal Family of Bhutan

　His Majesty the Emperor also traveled to the reception venue in a shared bus with the heads of state, and he was with the King and Queen of Bhutan in the car.

In 2019, Prince and Princess Akishinomiya and Prince Hisahito made a private trip to Bhutan to deepen their friendship with King and Queen Wangchuck. His Majesty the Emperor also visited in 1987.

 

・Interaction with the King of Tonga

Their Majesties attended the reception on the 20th and had a friendly conversation with the King and Queen of Malaysia, the King and Queen of Bhutan, and His Majesty the King of Tonga, who sat next to them at the state funeral. They conveyed their sympathy to His Majesty the King of Tonga for the volcanic eruption and thanked Their Majesties for inviting them to the coronation ceremony.

In July 2015, Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress (then Crown Prince) visited Tonga to attend the coronation of King Tupou VI.

Their Majesties were deeply grateful for the warm hospitality of Tonga.

 

・They conversed without an interpreter or entourage.

　The reception hall after the state funeral did not include the royal guards, chamberlains, or interpreters. Their Majesties exchanged words directly with many royalties and heads of state.

Although many specific names were not revealed, Their Majesties exchanged words with the presidents and presidents of several countries, the British Foreign Secretary, Trade Minister, and Education Minister, as well as former Prime Minister May, as time permitted.

 

・Director General of The Imperial Household Agency “I’m really glad Their Majesties visited us."

　At a press conference held on September 22 after Their Majesties' return to Japan, Director-General Nishimura of The Imperial Household Agency stated the following. The condolences of the people represented by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress were more than adequately conveyed to the Royal Family and the British people. I believe that Their Majesties have demonstrated the presence of the Japanese Imperial Family in the international community by deepening their interaction with the many people who attended the ceremony. I frankly feel that it was truly a great honor to have Their Majesties visit UK this time.

　This visit to the United Kingdom by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress to attend a state funeral was a reminder of the splendor of international exchange by the Imperial Family.