What was the excuses for when he skipped the previous Chinese State Banquet?
I can give a very good reason why he didn't attend the State Banquet in 2005 - he and Camilla were in the USA while the State Visit was on which might be an excuse for his non-attendance at the State Banquet.
On the day of the State Banquet they visited a project to tackle homelessness in California (source the Court Circular for the 8th November 2005 - the day of the State Banquet).
According to the CC Chgarles did attend the State Banquet in 1999 but no other events. Anne did the meet and greet - alone - although Tim accompanied her to the Banquet and on other occasions when she does the meet and greet he had been listed as accompanying her. Was he making a 'snub'? Princess Michael didn't attend in 1999 either.
Sometimes it is worthwhile actually doing some research before believing everything the media decides to sprout at times like this.
You have no proof that Charles has chosen not to attend due to some agenda of his own. The fact that he didn't 'snub' the visit in 2005 as he was in the USA at the time is a fact that has been overlooked by many people in their desire to put down Charles.
The evidence however suggest that rather than snubbing the President he is doing the exact opposite - he will be the initial host, before handing over that responsibility to The Queen.
During the Singaporean State Visit it was William and Kate who had that responsibility and the they didn't attend the State Banquet. No one suggested that they 'snubbed' or 'refused' or 'decided' to not attend the State Banquet.
Going back to the Korean State Visit Andrew meet them and escorted them to The Queen, William represented the Queen at a wreath laying and Edward was the most senior royal - other than the Queen and Philip to attend the Banquet - surely that means that William, Andrew and Sophie all snubbed the President of Korea as none of them attended the banquet. Charles and Camilla were on their way to India.
It almost seems as if the royal who greets them and hands them over to The Queen doesn't attend the State Banquet - not always but certainly on occasions. Rather than reading so much into it it is worthwhile to look back at what has happened in the past and see how things do unfold on these occasions. Earlier in 2013 Andrew greeted the UAE Emir and then attended the State Luncheon (they didn't have a Banquet and the only other royal who attended was Edward).
Charles will also be attending the official luncheon.
Charles will have a private meeting at which he will be able to discuss issues and concerns (which can't be done at the State Banquet which as far as important discussions go is really fluff while the real work is done behind closed doors in the private meetings - one of which Charles will be having).
Charles is also having the President into his own home for afternoon tea - again hardly the thing someone would do if he was 'snubbing' him or didn't want to meet with him.
