State Visit from the President of China: October 20-23, 2015

[EmmaNL]

When the Cambridges are attending the banquet and Charles and Camilla aren't, I think we will see Kate seated next to Mr. President, as she is the second highest ranking royal lady then. In that case, there is a chance that we'll have quite a good picture of her, because most of the time, only the Queen and the visiting head of state are photographed. When Kate is seated near one of these two, we'll probably see her.

 

[hernameispekka]

When the Cambridges are attending the banquet and Charles and Camilla aren't, I think we will see Kate seated next to Mr. President, as she is the second highest ranking royal lady then. In that case, there is a chance that we'll have quite a good picture of her, because most of the time, only the Queen and the visiting head of state are photographed. When Kate is seated near one of these two, we'll probably see her.

Exactly my thought

 

[wyevale]

After opium wars and other dirty things committed by British in China, Prince Charles has no right to pass judgments on China.

Those deeply regrettable events took place 150 years ago.. the oppression of Tibetans, and human rights in China is happening NOW, so the Prince and others have every right to make their objections felt !

 

[Al_bina]

Chinese have long memories. Lectures about human rights and oppression coming from the discredited western regimes are odd.

 

[Mbruno]

When the Cambridges are attending the banquet and Charles and Camilla aren't, I think we will see Kate seated next to Mr. President, as she is the second highest ranking royal lady then. In that case, there is a chance that we'll have quite a good picture of her, because most of the time, only the Queen and the visiting head of state are photographed. When Kate is seated near one of these two, we'll probably see her.

I still think it's unlikely that the PoW as heir to the throne will not be at the State Banquet. China is one of the top 3 world powers and it would be completely reckless for the future king of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to snub a key economic partner and major foreign investor in the UK.

Even Obama, who is the most powerful man in the world, had to roll out the red carpet for president Xi.

 

[Tilia C.]

When the Cambridges are attending the banquet and Charles and Camilla aren't, I think we will see Kate seated next to Mr. President, as she is the second highest ranking royal lady then. In that case, there is a chance that we'll have quite a good picture of her, because most of the time, only the Queen and the visiting head of state are photographed. When Kate is seated near one of these two, we'll probably see her.

Most of the times one gets to see a decent view of the 2nd royal lady (usually Camilla) at the banqueting table, while the 3rd royal lady (usually Anne) is hidden behind a gigantic flower bouquet. So chance of seeing Catherine are only good if she attends instead of Camilla. If the Cambridges attend additionally, then chances for a good view of Kate with tiara are slim.

 

[Dman]

Sometimes the speeches at the State Banquets are filmed and the camera cuts to certain members of the royal family. So hopefully that would happen.

I must say that it baffles me on why such an important event like the State Banquet for a visiting Head of State isn't photographed and videoed well. I mean, no one expects to see the royals and guest eating of course, but at least provide some pictures and coverage of the event. I always said that the palace should provide some live feed of the arrivals and procession on their official YouTube channel. I guarantee there would be tons of viewers for it.

 

[Jacknch]

Most of the times one gets to see a decent view of the 2nd royal lady (usually Camilla) at the banqueting table, while the 3rd royal lady (usually Anne) is hidden behind a gigantic flower bouquet. So chance of seeing Catherine are only good if she attends instead of Camilla. If the Cambridges attend additionally, then chances for a good view of Kate with tiara are slim.

I hope that because it would be William and Catherine's first attendance of a State Banquet, even if they attend as additional guests, some decent photos or video footage will emerge.

 

[hernameispekka]

Sometimes the speeches at the State Banquets are filmed and the camera cuts to certain members of the royal family. So hopefully that would happen.

I must say that it baffles me on why such an important event like the State Banquet for a visiting Head of State isn't photographed and videoed well. I mean, no one expects to see the royals and guest eating of course, but at least provide some pictures and coverage of the event. I always said that the palace should provide some live feed of the arrivals and procession on their official YouTube channel. I guarantee there would be tons of viewers for it.

I agree. It jsut seems silly not to.

 

[sndral]

Most of the times one gets to see a decent view of the 2nd royal lady (usually Camilla) at the banqueting table, while the 3rd royal lady (usually Anne) is hidden behind a gigantic flower bouquet. So chance of seeing Catherine are only good if she attends instead of Camilla. If the Cambridges attend additionally, then chances for a good view of Kate with tiara are slim.

Yes, I've noticed this in my searching through pictures of state banquets looking for tiaras - so frustrating!

 

[carlota]

when is it likely that we will get an agenda for the visit?

 

[Osipi]

when is it likely that we will get an agenda for the visit?

I would imagine that sometime in October a complete itinerary of the state visit will be made public. Maybe a week before the event actually happens? This is just my guesstimate so don't quote me on it.

 

[AdmirerUS]

I don't think anyone has confirmed the Chinese are being huffy. Quite the contrary, IMHO. Last weeks' state visit to the US by the Chinese was very low key. Very economically focused. Very behind closed doors. Very no pomp and no bluster. The President of China has a lot of "stuff" he is dealing with these days. I doubt huff is anywhere near the top of that list just now, even if he holds a grudge against Charles. I'd even bet the Dalai Lama has fallen down on the Xi Jinping to do list.

To see what Xi's wife wore to the US state dinner, see here. Michelle Obama Stuns in Black Mermaid Dress at State Dinner: Photos - Us Weekly

The Chinese First Lady is known for her fashion choices (she is a former opera star). This was a let down, for me.

 

[cepe]

when is it likely that we will get an agenda for the visit?

Although there is no agenda published yet, there is a general pattern.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are greeting (read this in a couple of UK papers) and escort to formal greeting with HMQ

Formal welcome by the Queen ( probably HorseGuards Parade) then a carriage procession. Unless Chinese security intervene (as happened with President Obama). Pictures at BP

State Dinner first evening (20th)

Political meetings

Signing of agreements (if appropriate)

His wife will be taken to see sights or causes of interest

Banquet in the City, attended normally by the Gloucesters.

It will be interesting to see if William will have another mtg with the PResident and who will escort Mrs President about.

 

[Osipi]

To see what Xi's wife wore to the US state dinner, see here. Michelle Obama Stuns in Black Mermaid Dress at State Dinner: Photos - Us Weekly

The Chinese First Lady is known for her fashion choices (she is a former opera star). This was a let down, for me.

Holy cats in pajamas!! I don't think I've ever seen Michelle Obama look more beautiful than she does in that picture. Absolutely stunning.

I did like the dress that Mrs. President of China wore as it suits her small stature and frame but nothing to really write home about. We'll have another gown to compare it too come October.

 

[carlota]

To see what Xi's wife wore to the US state dinner, see here. Michelle Obama Stuns in Black Mermaid Dress at State Dinner: Photos - Us Weekly

The Chinese First Lady is known for her fashion choices (she is a former opera star). This was a let down, for me.

Holy cats in pajamas!! I don't think I've ever seen Michelle Obama look more beautiful than she does in that picture. Absolutely stunning.

i, on the contrary, think this look on michelle looks simply tacky. she just looks like beyonce. and 'beyonce' is not a good look for a first lady, particularly on such a high profile visit.

however, i think the first lady of china looks correct and dignified. a good choice IMO.

Although there is no agenda published yet, there is a general pattern.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are greeting (read this in a couple of UK papers) and escort to formal greeting with HMQ

Formal welcome by the Queen ( probably HorseGuards Parade) then a carriage procession. Unless Chinese security intervene (as happened with President Obama). Pictures at BP

State Dinner first evening (20th)

Political meetings

Signing of agreements (if appropriate)

His wife will be taken to see sights or causes of interest

Banquet in the City, attended normally by the Gloucesters.

It will be interesting to see if William will have another mtg with the PResident and who will escort Mrs President about.

thanks cepe. i can't wait to see the official agenda, although this looks to me quite feasible indeed. i didn't know there was such pattern, aside from the welcomes and the dinners, thanks for pointing that out.
i would say it should be camilla escorting Mrs President, or princess anne. i really hope kate doesn't do that. to me, she's still a junior member of the RF and this responsibility should not fall on her but on someone more experienced.

 

[Dman]

i, on the contrary, think this look on michelle looks simply tacky. she just looks like beyonce. and 'beyonce' is not a good look for a first lady, particularly on such a high profile visit.

however, i think the first lady of china looks correct and dignified. a good choice IMO.



thanks cepe. i can't wait to see the official agenda, although this looks to me quite feasible indeed. i didn't know there was such pattern, aside from the welcomes and the dinners, thanks for pointing that out.
i would say it should be camilla escorting Mrs President, or princess anne. i really hope kate doesn't do that. to me, she's still a junior member of the RF and this responsibility should not fall on her but on someone more experienced.

The Duchess of Cambridge is a senior member of the royal family and she has escorted the wife of a Head of State before. You learn by doing it and that's what Catherine is doing.

 

[Queen Camilla]

Although there is no agenda published yet, there is a general pattern.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are greeting (read this in a couple of UK papers) and escort to formal greeting with HMQ

Formal welcome by the Queen ( probably HorseGuards Parade) then a carriage procession. Unless Chinese security intervene (as happened with President Obama). Pictures at BP

State Dinner first evening (20th)

Political meetings

Signing of agreements (if appropriate)

His wife will be taken to see sights or causes of interest

Banquet in the City, attended normally by the Gloucesters.

It will be interesting to see if William will have another mtg with the PResident and who will escort Mrs President about.

Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall will probably meet with the President and his wife at Clarence House then escort them to meet the Queen.

William will probably not have another meeting with the President.

It is possible that William and Catherine may meet the President & first lady of China if they join Charles and Camilla at Clarence House but very doubtful William will have a one on one with the President of China.

Princess Anne would probably be there.

Here's a video of the Queen giving a behind the scene look at a State Visit.

Take a note of how Anne is treated. She is the one who accompanies QEQM.
Note that Edward enters after Anne and after Margaret but before the Duchess of Kent.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u931xcXliWE

 

[Dman]

Members of the royal family get a chance to speak with the visiting Head of State at the reception during the State Banquet. They all meet and mingle before the procession and mingle again afterwards for coffee.

 

[Skippyboo]

If the Chinese President wants to a have a meeting with William, then there will be a meeting with William.

In 2011, that meeting with the Obamas during their State Visits with newlywed WK came most likely from a request by the President.


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[Marty91charmed]

Thank you Dman!

It works as I suspected!

 

[RoyalistRiley]

I doubt we will see the Cambridges during the State Visit. Participating in a State Visit seems to me to be a step towards assuming a more "full time" royal role, which the Cambridges do not seem to be eager to do at present.

Although there is no agenda published yet, there is a general pattern.

Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall are greeting (read this in a couple of UK papers) and escort to formal greeting with HMQ

Formal welcome by the Queen ( probably HorseGuards Parade) then a carriage procession. Unless Chinese security intervene (as happened with President Obama). Pictures at BP

State Dinner first evening (20th)

Political meetings

Signing of agreements (if appropriate)

His wife will be taken to see sights or causes of interest

Banquet in the City, attended normally by the Gloucesters.

It will be interesting to see if William will have another mtg with the PResident and who will escort Mrs President about.

A handful of State Visit programs can be accessed from Buckingham Palace's list of State Visits: http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/RoyalVisits/Inwardstatevisitssince1952.aspx

The Countess of Wessex took the First Lady of Mexico to see the Downton Abbey set earlier in the year; perhaps she will accompany Mrs Peng on outings while her husband is busy?

Is there a reason why the Gloucesters usually do the City banquet? Prince and Princess Michael of Kent are the only others I can recall attending this event.

 

[Skippyboo]

William and Kate have already participated in State Visit activities just not the dinner. William went with the S Korean president to break ground for a Korean War memorial in London. WK met the President and First Lady of Singapore at their hotel and escorted them to Horse Guards for the welcoming ceremony. The Singapore president was the same one that the Cambridges met when they visited Singapore in 2012.

With William making the trip to China this year and Charles supposedly not attending the state dinner, I would be shocked if we don't see WK in some capacity during this state visit.


Sent from my iPhone using The Royals Community

 

[Molly2101]

With Camilla not attending this year does that mean that Anne will be seated at the top table and not Catherine if she attends? I am right in thinking that Anne is higher than Catherine if Camilla is not present? I know Sophie at the at the top table earlier this year as neither Anne nor Camilla were present, although Edward was not at the top.

At state banquet dinner videos I always chuckle a bit as I remember Sophie saying a few years ago how she sat in the wrong seat and the Queen was less than impressed aft having to wait as Sophie tried to find her proper seat. I imagine I would do something like this.

 

[hernameispekka]

With Camilla not attending this year does that mean that Anne will be seated at the top table and not Catherine if she attends? I am right in thinking that Anne is higher than Catherine if Camilla is not present? I know Sophie at the at the top table earlier this year as neither Anne nor Camilla were present, although Edward was not at the top.

At state banquet dinner videos I always chuckle a bit as I remember Sophie saying a few years ago how she sat in the wrong seat and the Queen was less than impressed aft having to wait as Sophie tried to find her proper seat. I imagine I would do something like this.

I think if Catherine and William are there and Charles and Camilla are not, Catherine will be seated next to the president since she's in the company of William. The order is Queen-Charles-William and Camilla and Catherine "tag on" to their spouses status. Anne is higher in the rank if Kate is not accompanied by William (hence the whole curtsey thing where sometimes Kate and Camilla have to curtsy to the "blood princesses" but when they're at an event with their husbands the blood princesses have to curtsy to them). So Kate will be the 2nd highest ranking royal lady at the state banquet if she is there and C&C are not. If both PoW&DoCorn and D&DoCam are there, Camilla will be seated next to the president and Anne will be bumped down the table by Kate who will take Annes spot. Or at least this is how I have understood it.

 

[Dman]

I think if Catherine and William are there and Charles and Camilla are not, Catherine will be seated next to the president since she's in the company of William. The order is Queen-Charles-William and Camilla and Catherine "tag on" to their spouses status. Anne is higher in the rank if Kate is not accompanied by William (hence the whole curtsey thing where sometimes Kate and Camilla have to curtsy to the "blood princesses" but when they're at an event with their husbands the blood princesses have to curtsy to them). So Kate will be the 2nd highest ranking royal lady at the state banquet if she is there and C&C are not. If both PoW&DoCorn and D&DoCam are there, Camilla will be seated next to the president and Anne will be bumped down the table by Kate who will take Annes spot. Or at least this is how I have understood it.

Remember, Camilla & Catherine don't curtsy to anyone but The Queen and sometimes The Duke of Edinburgh. The whole idea of them having to curtsy to the 'blood princesses' don't happen at all.

 

[hernameispekka]

Remember, Camilla & Catherine don't curtsy to anyone but The Queen and sometimes The Duke of Edinburgh. The whole idea of them having to curtsy to the 'blood princesses' don't happen at all.

Well, I don't know if it's practiced since we don't often see Kate or Camilla meeting the "blood princesses" alone that often! So it was just a way of explaining how Anne sometimes can be higher in rank than Catherine and sometimes Catherine is higher than Anne

 

[Mbruno]

Remember, Camilla & Catherine don't curtsy to anyone but The Queen and sometimes The Duke of Edinburgh. The whole idea of them having to curtsy to the 'blood princesses' don't happen at all.

Catherine definitely curtsies to foreign kings and queen consorts as seen in the video below where she is curtsying to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY2tQxfic4Q

 

[Dman]

Catherine definitely curtsies to foreign kings and queen consorts as seen in the video below where she is curtsying to King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eY2tQxfic4Q

Yes, I know that. I'm talking about the British royal family. Catherine don't curtsy to anyone other than The Queen and she's known to curtsy to Prince Philip. She does not curtsy to the 'blood princesses' of the UK. Neither does Camilla.

I do think the Cambridge's will take part in next months State Banquet. There's no reason for them not to. There's nothing really to it other than chatting to guest, shaking the hands of the Head of State and spouse, listening to two speeches and eating. After mingling and coffee, the departures takes place.

 

[Osipi]

I would be very much surprised if the Cambridges do not attend this upcoming state banquet and also find time to talk with the Chinese president. There is just too much pointing to reasons William should be there. First, its been in the current events that President Obama and President Xi both have stated that they're backing William's United for Wildlife endeavor and its been said that China will be broadcasting a video William made for Chinese TV during October. Although the date for the video has not been confirmed, it would be logical to broadcast it during the time the Chinese president is in the UK IMO.

William and Kate attending Chinese state visit events is not "getting their feet wet" with state occasions nor is it being a fill in for Charles and Camilla in my book but if/when the Cambridges are included it will be because right now, out of all the royal family, William is the one that actually has active dealings on the table with China now.

Another thought. When one really thinks about it, William has really been getting his feet wet diplomatically on the world stage. It was William that pulled Obama and Xi to agree to work against illegal trafficking and poaching.