Royals put on a show of pomp and pageantry as the King welcomes his first world leader to Buckingham Palace as monarch: Kate and William ride along the Mall in golden carriage as Charles hosts South African president in historic state visit
- The Prince and Princess of Wales met Cyril Ramaphosa on the monarch’s behalf at the Corinthia Hotel today
- They then travelled to the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards parade where president met Charles and Camilla
- This evening Mr Ramaphosa will join members of the Royal Family for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace
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Charles III today laid on a Guard of Honour for the South African president before joining him in a golden carriage ride to Buckingham Palace as he held his first state visit as King.
William and Kate were part of events for the first time, travelling to a luxury hotel in central London to meet Cyril Ramaphosa and accompany him to Horse Guards Parade for the start of the ceremonial welcome.
There, the monarch and Queen Consort shook hands with the president at the Royal Pavilion ahead of a glamorous state banquet at the Palace tonight.
The South African national anthem played shortly after Mr Ramaphosa’s arrival, while the Guard of Honour gave a Royal Salute.
National figures had gathered in the royal pavilion for the pomp and pageantry of the ceremonial welcome with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined by senior members of the Cabinet, as well as the Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons, and the Defence Chiefs of Staff.
More than 1,000 soldiers and over 230 horses took part in the ceremonial event and waiting on the parade ground were two immaculate lines of Foot Guards from Number 7 Company The Coldstream Guards.
Nearby in their gleaming breast plates and plumed helmets were the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment – Life Guards and Blues and Royals, commanded by Major Robert Perera of the Blues and Royals.
Mr Ramaphosa then joined Charles and Camilla as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales for a carriage procession along The Mall.
Upon reaching the Palace, they were met by a second Guard of Honour found by 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, while at the Tower of London, a 62-round gun salute was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company regiment to mark the President’s visit.
Following a private lunch at the Palace, the King invited Mr Ramaphosa to view an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to South Africa.
The President will then visit Westminster Abbey, where he will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, before taking a tour, which will include the memorial stone for Nelson Mandela, the South African President between 1994 and 1999.
After that, Mr Ramaphosa is due at the Palace of Westminster, where he will be welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker, before delivering an address in the Royal Gallery to MPs and other guests.
In the evening, Charles, Camilla and other members of the Royal Family, will give a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for the President, who will join the King in making speeches at the start of the meal.
Catherine Princess of Wales during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa this afternoon
The Princess, who has worn the Collingwood earrings on a number of occasions in the past, also wore a brooch which was gifted to Diana from the Queen Mother
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles, Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine attended the Ceremonial Welcome
A procession leading a state carriage containing Britain’s King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa back to Buckingham Palace
The State Carriage carrying Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa led by a mounted division of the Coldstream Guards makes its way along The Mall
William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales travel to Buckingham Palace during a state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III and the Queen Consort, ride in the State Carriage to Buckingham Palace, London
King Charles and The Queen Consort, Camilla, formally welcome the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (pictured) at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade
(left to right) The Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales as they inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome for President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa’s State Visit to the UK
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa rides with Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort in the Irish State Coach, as they leave from Horse Guards Parade, headed to Buckingham Palace
The Princess of Wales was elegant in an Emilia Wickstead coat dress which she paired with a matching hat as she welcomed South Africa’s President to the UK today
Meanwhile she paid subtle tribute to her mother-in-law with the outfit, wearing pearl earrings that were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Charles in 1981
Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and King Charles III travel in State Carriage to Buckingham Palace following the welcome ceremony for the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
The State Carriage carrying Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa led by a mounted division of the Coldstream Guards arrives at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace
The royal mother-of-three was elegant as she welcomed Mr Ramaphosa today, donning the smart burgundy coat dress with a matching Sean Barrett hat and a £495 Mulberry bag
The royal mother-of-three appeared in high spirits as she travelled to the event earlier this afternoon
Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa arrive at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace during a state visit
Catherine Princess of Wales during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa this afternoon
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales and his wife Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales travel to greet South Africa’s President
Catherine Princess of Wales during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa this afternoon
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a photograph of President Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II, displayed as part of the Royal Collection
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a a chess set, which was a gift from President Mandela to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during a state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Houses of Parliament
King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace
King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a a chess set, which was a gift from President Mandela to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace
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Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Houses of Parliament
King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace
The royal mother-of-three was elegant as she welcomed Mr Ramaphosa today, donning the smart burgundy coat dress with a matching Sean Barrett hat and a Mulberry bag
Britain’s King Charles and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attend a ceremonial welcome, during the President’s state visit, at Horse Guards Parade
King Charles III during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa in London this afternoon
President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, walks with King Charles III (not pictured) as they inspect a Guard of Honour
Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, (C) and his wife Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, greet South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) at the Corinthia Hotel in London
Kate leaves the Corinthia Hotel after greeting the South African president this morning
President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa shakes hands with King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom
Former President Donald Trump’s state visit in 2019 was the most recent by a world leader but his welcome was staged in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, so the official visit by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2019 was the last time a full ceremonial welcome was staged on Horse Guards Parade.
Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of Headquarters Household Division, who delivered the military ceremonial spectacle, said: ‘The state visit is a historic first: our first state visit for His Majesty the King and the President of South Africa, the first state visit in London since 2019, the first processional state visit on Horse Guards since 2018, and the first for almost everyone on parade.’
He added: ‘A huge amount of work has gone into preparing for the visit and we are very proud to support such an important national occasion.’
Climate change, trade and Charles’s vision for the Commonwealth are expected to be on the agenda during Mr Ramaphosa’s two-day visit.
South Africa is the UK’s biggest trading partner on the continent with trade between both countries worth £10.7billion annually.
However, despite the wealth of pomp and pageantry on display, the visit risks being clouded by events in South Africa, where Ramaphosa risks impeachment for allegedly failing to report a major raid at his luxury farmhouse which saw raiders take £3.4million in cash.
It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today announced the UK and South Africa will join forces to ‘turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together’.
The next phase of the UK-South Africa Infrastructure Partnership is being launched today, supporting South Africa’s economic growth through major infrastructure developments and offering increased access to UK companies to projects worth up to £5.37 billion over the next three years, said Downing Street.
Mr Sunak said: ‘South Africa is already the UK’s biggest trading partner on the continent, and we have ambitious plans to turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together.
‘I look forward to welcoming President Ramaphosa to London this week to discuss how we can deepen the partnership between our two great nations and capitalise on shared opportunities, from trade and tourism and security and defence.’
The two-day state visit will see a series of firsts for the royal family who will take part in events over the coming two days as they host their guest Mr Ramaphosa.
South Africa’s High Commissioner, Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, hailed the importance of the state visit after speaking to the King a few weeks ago when Charles visited an exhibition of South African fashion in London.
Mr Mamabolo, who is expected to be among the state banquet guests, said: ‘The important thing is that the King has focused for his first visit, to be with Africa, South Africa, and the Commonwealth.’
King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Horse Guards Parade in London, ahead of the arrival of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa for a State Visit to the UK
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) is greeted by Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) walks with Britain’s King Charles III as they inspect a Guard of Honour during a Ceremonial Welcome on Horse Guards Parade
(left to right) the Prince and Princess of Wales arrive as President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III and the Queen Consort look on before they inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome for his State Visit to the UK
South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and Britain’s King Charles III inspect a Guard of Honour, formed by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, during a Ceremonial Welcome on Horse Guards Parade in London
Charles III has arrived at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade as he prepares to welcome South African president Cyril Ramaphosa for his first state visit as monarch
Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa
The King and The Queen Consort formally welcome The President at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the ceremonial welcome for the State Visit to the UK by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (left) and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attend the ceremonial welcome for the State Visit to the UK by the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman were also present for the event on Horse Guards Parade
British Secretary of State for the Home Department Suella Braverman looks on during a state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Houses of Parliament
Mr Ramaphosa was Jacob Zuma’s deputy in 2014 and gained the presidency in 2018.
But he is currently fighting for his political life and facing calls to resign as the deeply divided ruling party African National Congress (ANC) is to hold a vote on its leadership in December.
A scandal in which Ramaphosa is accused of concealing a multi-million dollar cash theft has piled pressure on him.
He faces an accusation that he failed to report a heist at his luxury cattle farmhouse in which robbers took $4million (£3.4m) in cash and instead organised for the robbers to be kidnapped and bribed into silence.
The president has acknowledged a burglary but denies kidnapping and bribery, saying he reported the break-in to the police.
A panel appointed by South Africa’s parliament is set to determine whether to impeach him.
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