State Visit from the Emperor and Empress of Japan: Spring 2020 [postponed]

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Mirabel

I love state visits.
I wonder if Princess Aiko will attend?

Even though Princess Aiko is 18, apparently the “coming of age” birthday for Japanese royalty is age 20. So probably not.

[rominet09]

Looking forward to see them !

[rob2008]

Much glitter. Diamond Jubilee coach, Burmese ruby set (red), Garter for HIM.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by rob2008

Much glitter. Diamond Jubilee coach, Burmese ruby set (red), Garter for HIM.

We would be nice to see the Grand Duchess Vladimir again.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

Even though Princess Aiko is 18, apparently the “coming of age” birthday for Japanese royalty is age 20. So probably not.

20 is simply the age of legal majority, in the same way as 18 is the age of legal majority in the UK.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...thood-18-2022/


Speaking in general, it is interesting that a large number of royal watchers in the West seemingly wish for Princess Aiko to begin attending official events at 18, but there does not seem to be a corresponding call for the teenage European princesses to begin attending official events at 16 (the European equivalent to the age of 18 in Japan).

[O-H Anglophile]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

Speaking in general, it is interesting that a large number of royal watchers in the West seemingly wish for Princess Aiko to begin attending official events at 18, but there does not seem to be a corresponding call for the teenage European princesses to begin attending official events at 16 (the European equivalent to the age of 18 in Japan).

Because 18 is the age in “the West” that people consider young people to be an adult, so most would view Aiko as an adult by Western standards.

[Tatiana Maria]

Originally Posted by O-H Anglophile

Because 18 is the age in “the West” that people consider young people to be an adult, so most would view Aiko as an adult by Western standards.

It could very well be that. But because Western monarchies are not expected to apply Japanese legal standards to determine the age of adulthood for their royal families, it is harder to understand why the reverse is expected.

[Mbruno]

Originally Posted by Tatiana Maria

It could very well be that. But because Western monarchies are not expected to apply Japanese legal standards to determine the age of adulthood for their royal families, it is harder to understand why the reverse is expected.

The fact is that young “ western” princes do not necessarily attend state dinners even when they are 18 . They may attend at home, but much less frequently in overseas visits.

How many overseas state dinners for example did Prince Charles attend when he was 18 ? As I wrote before, Prince Felipe was 18 when his parents went to the UK in 1986 and he didn’t go along, although his older sisters did, but only attended the return dinner..

[Somebody]

Such wonderful news. I hope it will be the first of many state visits of the new emperor and empress.

[wbenson]

Originally Posted by Hans-Rickard

The Belgian and British royals have had a ”curious” relationship for many years. King Albert didn't even pay a state visit to UK and thus has never recived the Order of the Garter... And now the BREXIT is going to happen so i somehow don’t think a Belgian State visit to UK is a priority at the moment.

It's unfortunate that the government was never able (willing?) to reschedule the Queen's visit to Belgium planned for 2003, which was postponed (forever, it turns out) due to the war in Iraq.

[Princess Larisa]

Maybe a date:

Windsor Castle is completely closed to visitors on 5 May, and the state apartments are shut on 4, 6 and 7 May. Japanese state visit is my guess.

https://twitter.com/MajestyMagazine/...27569325166592

[Durham]

Originally Posted by rob2008

Much glitter. Diamond Jubilee coach, Burmese ruby set (red), Garter for HIM.

Sounds wonderful! The route up the hill, through the George IV gateway & around the upper ward is a splendid sight.

I much prefer state visits to Windsor. Real magic & majesty.

The Garter for His Majesty The Emperor would be fabulous

[muriel]

I know the Queen does not offer the Garter to the spouse of fellow monarch, but it would be great to see Camilla honoured by the Japanese Emperor with a lower Japanese order.

[wbenson]

https://www.royal.uk/postponement-st...-empress-japan

After consultation with Her Majesty’s Government and the Government of Japan, Her Majesty The Queen has agreed that, in the current circumstances, the planned State Visit to the United Kingdom in Spring 2020 by Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan should be postponed.

The State Visit will be rescheduled at a later date.

[Iluvbertie]

Not a surprise really.

I suspect no State Visit into the UK this year - no Trooping, no Garter, no Ascot, no Maundy Service - all the staples on the calendar we look forward to seeing.

All Garden Parties in London cancelled as is the Church of Scotland Assembly.

[An Ard Ri]

Exactly its the right decision given the current circumstances.

[Blog Real]

Could this state visit take place in the coming months?

[Iluvbertie]

No State Visit was announced in the Queen's Speech in Parliament in May, which is when they are normally announced.

I don't think there will be any State Visit to the UK this year.