How Japan's Emperor never got the chance to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth, who treated him 'like family' when he was a student, after Covid stopped 2020 state visit
- Japanese leader and his wife arrived in sunshine at Stansted Airport on Saturday
- Trip had originally been planned for 2020 - but Covid stopped the state visit
- READ MORE: Emperor Naruhito of Japan admits his family is running out of heirs
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako touched down in the UK for a long-awaited official state visit on Friday- however the monarch regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive.
The Japanese Emperor, 64, who ascended the Chrysanthemum Throne in 2019, and his wife, 60, will spend seven days carrying out private engagements with King Charles and Queen Camilla.
However the trip is bittersweet as Naruhito never got the chance to say goodbye to Queen Elizabeth, who passed away 8 September 2022, after Covid stopped his planned 2020 state visit.
The Emperor, who attend the Queen's funeral in 2022, revealed how the late monarch had treated him with 'warmth' and 'like family' when he was a student at Oxford University in the 1980s.
During his two years studying at Oxford University, the royal, was invited to stay at Balmoral for a couple of days. Emperor Naruhito smiled as he recalled sweet memories of the late Queen, Prince Philip and King Charles.
Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako touched down in the UK for a long-awaited official state visit on Friday- however the monarch regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive
According to the Japan Times, he said: 'I have very fond memories of the Queen driving a car, inviting me to a barbecue and Prince Philip showing me around by driving a carriage himself.'
The father-of-one said King Charles, who was then the Prince of Wales, taught him how to fly fish, but admitted that 'neither of us had success.'
'I was welcomed with warmth as if I were their family member,' Emperor Naruhito added.
He also attended the late Queen's funeral in September 2022, marking his first overseas trip after The Emperor's enthronement.
Speaking in a press conference ahead of the trip Naruhito said: 'I'm truly delighted to be able to make a visit to Britain this time.
However the emperor said he regretted that they could not make the trip while Queen Elizabeth was alive.
'Through our upcoming visit, I would like to reflect on the long history of exchanges fostered between Japan and Britain,' Naruhito said
The royal said he was 'very grateful' that King Charles is set welcome him and his wife, despite his cancer diagnosis.
Queen Elizabeth escorts Naruhito through the Great Hall in Windsor Castle in 2001
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022
Naruhito walks along Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2001
The Princess of Wales, 42, also announced that she had cancer at the end of March and has been going through preventative chemotherapy.
Speaking of Charles and Kate, Naruhito said: 'I hope their treatment goes smoothly and they can make a speedy recovery.'
The Emperor is planning to fly over to the UK with his wife, Empress Masako, on Saturday and stay for eight days, with events for their official visit commencing on Tuesday.
During their trip, the couple are going to attend private events along with meeting Japanese people who live in the UK.
Naruhito said he is looking forward to rekindling his friendship with the British royal family and exploring Oxford, where he studied 40 years ago.
Arriving to sunny London, Empress Masako looked elegant in a powder blue suit with white lapels and a coordinated hat, with her husband wearing a matching shade of blue on his tie.
The then Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles watch an exhibit after the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival 1991 at the Victoria & Albert Museum
The then Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles attend the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1991
Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrived at Stansted airport on Saturday afternoon
The couple were due to visit the UK on an official state visit in 2020 - but their plans were put on hold by the pandemic
Empress Masako, 60, looked elegant in a powder blue suit with white lapels and a coordinated hat
The couple, who both studied at Oxford University as students, looked delighted to finally be on UK soil
Members of the RAF salute the couple as they made their way to an official vehicle
The Emperor is planning to fly over to the UK with his wife, Empress Masako (both pictured), on Saturday and stay for eight days
On Tuesday, the King and Queen will formally welcome the emperor and empress before they take a ceremonial carriage ride to Buckingham Palace. Naruhito will also lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier in Westminster Abbey then return to the palace for a state banquet.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Labour Party leader Keir Starmer will take time away from their respective election campaigns to attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
They will also go to the Francis Crick Institute and visit Oxford on their final day, where Masako also studied.
The Empress is still in the process of recovering from a stress-induced illness, according to the Japanese outlet.
Some have said that she has been suffering from this because she feels pressure to produce a male heir.
Currently, Princess Aiko is their only child and the law states that the throne shall only be succeeded to by a male offspring.
Currently, Princess Aiko (pictured) is their only child and the law states that the throne shall only be succeeded to by a male offspring
Aside from Naruhito's nephew Prince Hisahito, 17, the only male heirs are his brother Crown Prince Akishino, 58, and his uncle Prince Hitachi, 88.
Naruhito said yesterday: 'The number of male members of the imperial family is decreasing, they are ageing, and female members of the imperial family leave the imperial family upon marriage.'
If the marriage was to a prince, they could stay within the family - the trouble is that there are no fellow male royals for them to wed.
'Due to these factors, the number of members of the imperial family who can take on public duties is decreasing compared to before,' he continued.
'This is a problem that relates to the future of the imperial family, but I would like to refrain from commenting on matters related to the [legal] system.'
