Armed Forces perform an impeccable welcome for Japan's Emperor and Empress
More than 1,000 military personnel helped provide an impeccable welcome for the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK ahead of their three-day state visit.
The red carpet was rolled out for the Japanese visitors with a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade followed by a carriage procession and a grand banquet at Buckingham Palace.
More than 1,250 soldiers from the Household Division and 240 military working horses took part in the visit – the first by a Japanese head of state since 1998.
The Emperor and Empress arrived at Horse Guards Parade to be met by the sight of the Welsh Guards Guard of Honour, the Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and four divisions of the Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment.
Following this, the Prince of Wales accompanied the Japanese guests onto Horse Guards where they were greeted by the King and Queen.
At 12:10pm, the ceremonial gun salutes were fired across London.
British Army personnel fired a 41-gun salute from the iconic Tower of London to mark the state visit of Japan's Emperor and Empress.
The Honourable Artillery Company has strong links with Japan and fired the salute which was streamed live by Forces News.
King Charles wore a morning suit with a top hat, and he briefly removed his headwear as a mark of respect when he passed the regimental colours.
Watching from the pavilion were the Queen and the empress along with the waiting dignitaries, including foreign secretary Lord Cameron, Home Secretary James Cleverly and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
On arriving at Horse Guards Parade, the King and Queen received a Royal Salute from the Sovereign's Escort and the Guard of Honour.
The bands played the National Anthem and the Royal Standard was cracked by the Flagman and flown beside the clocktower at the top of the Horse Guards building.
The Captain of the Guard of Honour, on Horse Guards, Major Edward Rhydian Emlyn-Williams, Welsh Guards, marched forward and presented his Guard of Honour to the Emperor of Japan, saying: "The Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion The Welsh Guards is formed up and awaiting your inspection. May I have your permission to accompany you, sir, please?"
After an inspection of the Guard of Honour by the Emperor, a carriage procession took the visitors from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace on a route lined by military personnel.
A medley of music was played by the Band of the Welsh Guards in their scarlet and gold tunics and black bearskin caps.
The Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry were in their gold coats, accompanied by two Drum Horses bearing solid silver kettle drums weighing more than 60kg per pair.
The Household Cavalry musicians' state dress of gold coats and velvet jockey caps signifies them as members of the Royal Household.
This uniform is only worn in the presence of royalty and when they are in attendance with the Lord Mayor of London.
The gold coats are made from 9ct gold thread and have remained largely unchanged in their design since the 1660s.
Guarding the processional route from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace were troops from the London Central Garrison.
Music was played by the Band of the Coldstream Guards at Marlborough Road, while the Band of the Irish Guards performed at the Duke of York Steps.
Meeting the carriage procession at Buckingham Palace was a second Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in the Quadrangle, commanded by the Captain of the Guard, Major William Harris, Grenadier Guards, and with musical support from The Band of the Grenadier Guards.
The Guard of Honour provided a Royal Salute and the Band of the Grenadier Guards performed the national anthem of Japan, followed by the UK's.
The anthems finished just as the wheels of The King and Queen's carriage drew to a halt.
Dismounted troopers from the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment lined the stairs of Buckingham Palace for the Emperor's arrival into the palace.
In the evening, Emperor Naruhito, ruler of the Chrysanthemum throne, and Empress Masako will enjoy the State Banquet in the palace's ballroom, where the King and the Emperor will give speeches.
The Countess of Wessex's String Orchestra, made up of professional Army musicians, will provide musical entertainment.
"Weeks of preparation have gone into the spectacular visit which involves seven Army bands, an orchestra, and nine regiments," the Army said.
"State Visits are considered the highest expression of friendly bilateral relations between two sovereign states, and it is a huge honour for all those taking part."
The Japanese visitors will spend seven days in the UK.
On Thursday, they will bid farewell to the King and Queen and privately visit St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle to lay a wreath on the tomb of the late Queen, before making a private visit to Oxford on Friday.
This key event in the royal calendar is King Charles's first incoming state visit since his cancer diagnosis and ongoing cancer treatment.
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