This week, King Charles III and Queen Camilla celebrated a visit from Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan with a state banquet, and the king used it as an opportunity to show off just how familiar he is with some important aspects of Japanese culture.
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He referenced Pokémon, an apparent favorite of his grandchildren, while discussing his affinity for fishing. “I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing,” he said, according to The Telegraph. “The Pokémon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational.”
The king also mentioned the Sanrio company character Hello Kitty, whose story is said to begin in London. “It has been a pleasure to learn of the British stories behind certain Japanese cultural icons,” Charles continued, according to Town & Country. “Perhaps you would allow me to note one particular individual who turns fifty this year, raised in a London suburb with her twin sister, a self-made entrepreneur worth billions of dollars, and a U.N.I.C.E.F Children’s Ambassador on top of all that. So I can only wish a very happy birthday to…Hello Kitty!”
The banquet was also an opportunity for both royal consorts to break out some of their finery. According to Lauren Kiehna of The Court Jeweller, Masako wore Japan’s Imperial Chrysanthemum Tiara, which represents the symbol of the country’s chrysanthemum throne. The banquet marked the first time Masako wore the tiara, which was previously a favorite of her husband’s mother, Empress Michiko, and grandmother, Empress Nagako.
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, also made her debut in the the Lotus Flower Tiara, which was designed by royal jeweler Garrard in 1923. It originally belonged to the Queen Mother, but after her death, it became a part of the royal family’s collection. Kate Middleton has worn the tiara on multiple occasions beginning in 2013, and she last wore the piece during a December 2022 state banquet.
Queen Camilla wore a familiar Burmese Ruby Tiara that she inherited from Queen Elizabeth II, which she paired with one brand new piece of royal jewelry, King Charles’s Family Order. The order features a portrait of Charles on a medallion affixed to a gray ribbon and ringed with 10.41 carats of diamonds from the royal collection. During the banquet, Camilla wore it next to the Family Order from the reign of the late queen, which features her portrait on a yellow ribbon.
