Emperor Naruhito and his wifeEmpress Masako are finally on English soil, four years after their state visit was put on hold because of the pandemic.
The couple enjoyed a warm welcome as they arrived late afternoon at Stansted Airport for the week-long official state visit.
The Japanese Emporer, 64, and his wife did attend the Queen's funeral in 2022 - this week he revealed how the late monarch had treated him 'like family' when he'd visited the UK previously - but it's taken four years to re-arrange a state visit.
Today and tomorrow the couple will carry out private engagements before their time in an official capacity begins on June 25th.
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.
Both Emperor Naruhito, who ascended theChrysanthemum Throne in 2019, and his wife Empress Masako, 60, spent time as students at Oxford University.
We're finally here Japan's Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako arrive at Stansted airport on Saturday afternoon, with members of the RAF and UK officials on hand to greet them
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
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.
Earlier this week, Emperor Naruhito has praised the Britishroyals for treating him 'like family' when he spent time with the late Queen Elizabeth in the 1980s.
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
The Emperor's private plane flies the country's national flag out of the co*ckpit window as the plane comes to a standstill on Stansted's tarmac
Members of the RAF salute the couple as they made their way to an official vehicle
The Japanese Emperor said this week that the late Queen treated him 'like family' when he was a young student in the UK
During his two years studying at Oxford University, the royal, was invited to stay atBalmoral for a couple of days.
Emperor Naruhito smiled as he recalled sweet memories of the late Queen, Prince Philip and King Charles.
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.'
Queen Elizabeth escorts Naruhito through the Great Hall in Windsor Castle in 2001
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
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan attend Queen Elizabeth's funeral in 2022
'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 firstoverseas trip after The Emperor's enthronement.
The royal said he was'very grateful' that King Charles is set welcome him and his wife, despite his cancer diagnosis.
The Princess of Wales, 42, also announced that she had cancer at the end of March and has been going throughpreventative chemotherapy.
She attended Trooping the Colour last weekend, where she rode in a carriage alongside her children Prince Louis, six, Prince George, 10 and nine-year-old Princess Charlotte.
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 Tuesdau.
During their trip, the couple are going to attend private events along with meeting Japanese people who live in the UK.
Naruhito walks along Windsor Castle with Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 2001
The then Crown Prince Naruhito and Prince Charles attend the opening ceremony of the Japan Festival at the Victoria & Albert Museum in 1991
The Emperor is planning to fly over to the UK with his wife, Empress Masako (both pictured), on Saturday and stay for eight days
Currently, Princess Aiko (pictured) is their only child and the law states that the throne shall only be succeeded to by a male offspring
They will also go to theFrancis Crick Institute and visit Oxford on their final day, whereMasako 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, PrincessAiko is their only child and the law states that the throne shall only be succeeded to by a male offspring.
Aside fromNaruhito's nephew Prince Hisahito, 17, the only male heirs are his brotherCrown 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.'
