London’s City of Westminster took centre stage for the official state visit to the UK by Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan.
The Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Robert Rigby, joined His Majesty King Charles, Queen Camilla and other VIPs to welcome the Japanese Royals as they arrived at Horse Guards Parade to review troops on 25 June.
The Lord Mayor is a practicing Catholic and former Catholic Union chairman, who recently chose to speak to the <em>Catholic Herald</em> <a href="https://catholicherald.co.uk/interview-former-catholic-union-president-becomes-lord-mayor-of-westminster/?swcfpc=1"><mark style="background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)" class="has-inline-color has-vivid-cyan-blue-color">about his appointment and what he plans to do in the role</mark></a>. His wife is Japanese and the first Japanese Lady Mayoress of Westminster.
“As a long-time visitor to Japan and married to a wife raised in Tokyo, the visit of the Emperor and Empress has had such special status for Emiko and me,” Rigby said.
“When I had the honour of shaking hands with the Emperor at Horse Guards Parade, I tried my best Japanese on him and told him about the Lady Mayoress as well as how great it was to see the Japanese royal couple in the City of Westminster. My language effort seemed to entertain King Charles and I hope it translated well for the Emperor!”
The Japanese Royals enjoyed blazing sun as they travelled down the Mall to delighted crowds. The Lord Mayor also joined them as they toured another Westminster landmark – Westminster Abbey. <br><br>Later, the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress represented the City at a Buckingham Palace state banquet, which Rigby described as "an astonishing event".
"Emiko and I had the chance to once again meet both the Emperor and Empress as well as The King and Queen," Rigby said. "In addition, Emiko as Lady Mayoress was given the honour of not only a seat at the top table next to His Excellency Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone, Head of the Official Suite and two places away from The Emperor, but also joined The Royal Procession to the Banquet."<br><br>He added: “Westminster quite often has the eyes of the world on it, but I was particularly proud of our City and its people – the visiting Japanese royals saw Westminster in blazing sun looking at its absolute best, from the review of troops at Horse Guards Parade to the trip down the Mall and the visit to Westminster Abbey. Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako are known for their love of the UK, and this visit will have rekindled old bonds and built new friendships.”
Lady Mayoress Emiko Rigby spoke about the impact of the visit on her: “I am conscious of how special it is to be the first Japanese Lady Mayoress of Westminster, so meeting Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako was an absolute honour. Their love of all things British and their interest in the UK is clear. This visit has done so much to highlight the links between our two countries. The Japanese royal couple saw Westminster at its best and I think our residents can be proud of that.” <br><br>The occasion marked the first state visit to the UK by a Japanese head of state since 1998.<br><br><em>Photo: Emperor Naruhito of Japan shakes hands with the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Cllr Robert Rigby. (Photo credit: WPA Pool/Getty Images.)</em>
