palace. so, we'rejust looking at those pictures, the king and the queen waiting for the arrival of the japanese emperor and empress. they arrived in the uk over the weekend, they carried out some private engagements. as we've been talking about, the emperor has a keen interest in the river thames. that goes back to his time when he studied at oxford for two years. he studied at oxford for two years. he studied water transport on the river thames in the 18th century and then the emperor later went on to write a book called the thames and i say he has a very keen interest in the river thames, so much so that yesterday the emperor carried out a private engagement, went to look at the thames barrier, so he went on a visit to the thames barrier yesterday and later on this week the couple, both of them who attended oxford university, will be returning to the university, again, aside from a state visit that will be a private visit that will take place. for the moment the formal ceremonial welcome is about to take place on horse guards parade in all its pomp and pageantry. it’s guards parade in all its pomp and “aeant . �*, , ., , �* pageantry. it's beautiful, isn't it? i've been sent _ pageantry. it's beautiful, isn't it? i've been sent some _ pageantry. it's beautiful, isn't it? i've been sent some information | i've been sent some information about queen camilla and what she's wearing. we like to know about these things. she's wearing a white silk dress with black piping by anna valentine and a black and white hat by philip tracy, accessorised with a diamond flower brooch. the women in the royalfamily diamond flower brooch. the women in the royal family customarily dressed in colours company directory to the visiting nation. king charles is wearing a morning suit by the morning suit people, i have no idea. he rocks the morning suit is all i can say about that. a bit of information for you and for viewers, prince william, they go, it's almost as if i had it planned with him, he is attending. there is the emperor and empress and there they are being officially greeted by the king and as i mentioned, prince william will be attending the state banquet. there is another event happening tonight as well, can you guess what it is he's missing to attend the state banquet? i'm going to let you guess. i state banquet? i'm going to let you cuess. ., ., ., state banquet? i'm going to let you guess-_ it's - state banquet? i'm going to let you guess-_ it's the - guess. i have no idea. it's the encland guess. i have no idea. it's the england match! _ guess. i have no idea. it's the england match! there - guess. i have no idea. it's the england match! there is - guess. i have no idea. it's the england match! there is a - guess. i have no idea. it's the england match! there is a ml guess. i have no idea. it's the i england match! there is a 41 gun salute going _ england match! there is a 41 gun salute going off— england match! there is a 41 gun salute going off close _ england match! there is a 41 gun salute going off close to - england match! there is a 41 gun salute going off close to where l england match! there is a 41 gun l salute going off close to where we are so i can't hear what you're saying. i don't know if you can hear that. i saying. i don't know if you can hear that. u, . saying. i don't know if you can hear that. u, ., ., , saying. i don't know if you can hear that. . ., , that. i can hear it. iwas saying that. i can hear it. iwas saying that prince _ that. i can hear it. iwas saying that prince william _ that. i can hear it. iwas saying that prince william is - that. i can hear it. iwas saying that prince william is missing i that. i can hear it. i was saying i that prince william is missing the england match. {iii that prince william is missing the england match.— that prince william is missing the england match. of course, i'm so sor ! england match. of course, i'm so sorry! gun _ england match. of course, i'm so sorry! gun salute. _ england match. of course, i'm so sorry! gun salute. |_ england match. of course, i'm so sorry! gun salute. idon't- england match. of course, i'm so sorry! gun salute. i don't think| sorry! gun salute. i don't think ou'll be sorry! gun salute. i don't think you'll be able — sorry! gun salute. i don't think you'll be able to _ sorry! gun salute. i don't think you'll be able to sneakily - sorry! gun salute. i don't think you'll be able to sneakily watch i sorry! gun salute. i don't think. you'll be able to sneakily watch it, i don't think that would be appropriate while he's at state banquet this evening. i appropriate while he's at state banquet this evening.- appropriate while he's at state banquet this evening. i don't know. you could get _ banquet this evening. i don't know. you could get your _ banquet this evening. i don't know. you could get your phone _ banquet this evening. i don't know. you could get your phone and - banquet this evening. i don't know. you could get your phone and hide| banquet this evening. i don't know. | you could get your phone and hide it under the table and watch it. would he do that? — under the table and watch it. would he do that? i'm _ under the table and watch it. would he do that? i'm not _ under the table and watch it. would he do that? i'm not sure. _ under the table and watch it. would he do that? i'm not sure. you - under the table and watch it. would he do that? i'm not sure. you can i he do that? i'm not sure. you can see those pictures of the prince of wales prince william arriving on horse guards parade and the emperor and empress also, the former welcome by the king and the queen in the sunshine. it's really very hot out here today. what will happen, let me give you a bit more detail about what's going to happen after this welcome. i don't know if you can hear the royal salute, 41 welcome. i don't know if you can hear the royal salute, 4! guns which is being fired at the moment in green park which we are just next to. and then after that formal welcome, the emperor will be accompanied by the king, the emperor will inspect the guard of honour, the queen and the empress will remain standing as that takes place. gun salute. remain standing as that takes place. gun salute-— remain standing as that takes place. gun salute. �* ., ., , , , gun salute. after that wraps up, the formal ceremonial _ gun salute. after that wraps up, the formal ceremonial welcome, - gun salute. after that wraps up, the formal ceremonial welcome, the - formal ceremonial welcome, the emperor and empress ofjapan emperor and empress of japan accompanied emperor and empress ofjapan accompanied by the king and queen in accompanied by the king and queen in a carriage procession and that's something that is one of the highlights of the state visit, that carriage procession. along the mall up carriage procession. along the mall up to where we are, buckingham palace. the guard of honour will give a royal salute and the japanese and british national anthems will be played. so, they can see those on horse guards parade, the japanese emperor greeting various military officials there as part of the formal ceremonial welcome. you can see also the empress as well and they arrived in the last few minutes with the prince of wales, prince william who accompanied them to horse guards parade. gui!!! william who accompanied them to horse guards parade. gun salute. it feels like it's — horse guards parade. gun salute. it feels like it's getting _ horse guards parade. gun salute. it feels like it's getting louder _ horse guards parade. gun salute. it feels like it's getting louder and - feels like it's getting louder and louder, helena.— louder, helena. yes. it is very loud. it louder, helena. yes. it is very loud- it is— louder, helena. yes. it is very loud. it is intermittent - louder, helena. yes. it is very loud. it is intermittent guns i louder, helena. yes. it is very - loud. it is intermittent guns being fired, 4! gun salute. loud. it is intermittent guns being fired, 41 gun salute.— loud. it is intermittent guns being fired, 41 gun salute. have you been countin: ? fired, 41 gun salute. have you been counting? i — fired, 41 gun salute. have you been counting? i haven't. _ fired, 41 gun salute. have you been counting? i haven't. no, _ fired, 41 gun salute. have you been counting? i haven't. no, i- fired, 41 gun salute. have you been counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. | counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. that's probably — counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. that's probably about _ counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. that's probably about 20, - counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. that's probably about 20, may - counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. that's probably about 20, may be | counting? i haven't. no, i haven't. i that's probably about 20, may be 21? i don't know. i that's probably about 20, may be 21? i don't know— that's probably about 20, may be 21? i don't know._ hats - i don't know. i have no idea! hats off to you — i don't know. i have no idea! hats off to you for _ i don't know. i have no idea! hats off to you for managing _ i don't know. i have no idea! hats off to you for managing to - i don't know. i have no idea! hats off to you for managing to keep i off to you for managing to keep breathe out because if i was anywhere near that it would be rather off—putting. gun salute. we will leave helena for a second and listen to what's happening at horse guards parade. brass band plays. brass band plays. though, after the playing of the japanese national anthem, thinking accompanies the emperor as they inspect the guards. an age—old tradition during these state visits. the guards have been practising, preparing. and rehearsing for this moment. the guard of honour formed of the 1st battalion welsh guards and the band of the welsh guards. being inspected by the king and the emperor. after this short inspection we expect the king, queen camilla and the prince of wales prince william to ride in a carriage procession along the mall to buckingham palace. as our royal correspondent helena told us a few moments ago, there are crowds waiting along the mall to waive and greet the emperor and the king. the emperor looks in high spirits. when they reach buckingham palace later, they will meet the second guard of honour formed later, they will meet the second guard of honourformed of later, they will meet the second guard of honour formed of the 1st battalion welsh guards. you can see the carriage in the background. on its way to pick up its royal guests. there is the royal carriage. six white horses. they pulled a carriage along. —— they pull the carriage along. —— they pull the carriage along. after this procession, along the mall, there will be a lunch given at buckingham palace by the king. and the king, his majesty, will invite the emperor and empress to view a special exhibition in the picture gallery of items from the royal collection relating to japan. there we have the emperor and king riding together in their carriage. the footman close the doors, secure the doors on the carriage will be on its way down the mall and towards its way down the mall and towards its destination of buckingham palace. our royal correspondent is waiting. helena, you will get to see the carriages as they arrive behind you in buckingham palace. not sure how long the journey takes in a carriage, i've not done it myself, i have walked it! probably a few minutes, i expect.— have walked it! probably a few minutes, i expect. probably a few minutes, i expect. probably a few minutes. that _ minutes, i expect. probably a few minutes, that is _ minutes, i expect. probably a few minutes, that is right, _ minutes, i expect. probably a few minutes, that is right, it - minutes, i expect. probably a few| minutes, that is right, it shouldn't take them too long, although it is probably a slow carriage ride, bringing them along the mall and to buckingham palace. we had that 41 gun salute, it is now over. i can hear you clearly. but there are crowds of people who have lined the mall, waiting for the carriages to arrive, the king and japanese emperor travelling together in one carriage. and we expect the queen and japanese empress to be in another. we know that prince william is here as well. there they are setting off from horse guards parade after that formal ceremonial welcome, all done with military precision, in the very heart sunshine. the king there looking well. he has obviously carried out a number of engagements since his cancer diagnosis. and today formally welcoming the japanese emperor and empress, who have very strong personal connections to the uk, we have talked about how the royal couple studied at oxford university when they were younger. it is somewhere they will visit later on this year and crowds of people lining the mall here this afternoon. we are just outside buckingham palace waiting for those carriages to get to us. once they arrive here, they will taken into the palace where they will enjoy a lunch given by the king, and then the royal couple will be invited to view a special exhibition in the picture gallery of items from the royal collection related to japan. what we are watching here on your screen, pictures of the carriages that are taking the japanese emperor and empress along with the king and queen, and other dignitaries, you can see that dramatic shot along the mall there. the flags flying, japanese flags flying as well. you might be able to see some of the crowds of people who have gathered to witness what is an extravagant occasion. those carriages bringing the japanese emperor and empress along the mall to buckingham palace. absolutely, it is a beautiful day, it is a picture, just watching the procession making its way towards us, towards the cameras, towards buckingham palace. it is quite a sight. just to remind viewers who mayjust bejoining us, this is the state visit of the japanese emperor and empress. it is the first state visit to the uk since 1998. it is the third time king charles has received a state visit. since becoming king. and it is his first state visit since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year. we were told japan's emperor would be welcomed by king charles like family and so far that is exactly what we have seen. very warm official welcome for the japanese emperor and his wife. you're just heading welcome for the japanese emperor and his wife. you'rejust heading back briefly to horse guards parade to show you the prime minister and lord cameron saying goodbyes, they will be attending the state banquet later, as is the tradition. the banquet will also be attended by the opposition leader sir keir starmer as well. let's cross back to the mall and watch this procession as it dutifully makes its way towards buckingham palace. there have been rehearsals happening earlier this morning. everything is practised, every move is thought about, prepared for, rehearsed. you could see the lines of japanese and prepared for, rehearsed. you could see the lines ofjapanese and union flags in the background. you cannot quite see them but there are crowds of people lining the mall. they are trying to catch a glimpse of the king and queen and emperor and empress. once they reach buckingham palace, they will then inspected the guard there, the second guard of honour, formed of the 1st battalion welsh guards, and then they will enjoy a lunch at buckingham palace given by the king, his majesty, after which he will invite the emperor and empress to view a special exhibition in the picture gallery at buckingham palace of items from the royal collection relating to japan. after that, we will then see the emperor and empress making their way to westminster abbey, where the emperor will lay a wreath at the grave of the unknown warrior, and he will also then take part in a tour of the abbey, accompanied by the dean of westminster. we can see the head of the procession, at the back of the procession, or near the back, we will no doubt see the carriages making their way towards buckingham palace. the king is travelling with the emperor in one carriage, and queen camilla is travelling with the empress in another carriage. behind them, prince william and other dignitaries from japan making their way along the mall. tonight in the great hall of buckingham palace, the king will host a state banquet, he will be accompanied by the queen, members of the royal family, will be accompanied by the queen, members of the royalfamily, not will be accompanied by the queen, members of the royal family, not by the princess royal, who, as we have been reporting here, has had an accident at her estate and will no longer be able to attend events this evening. but the king will make a speech in honour of his guests, he will raise a toast and there will be a sumptuous meal served to all the guests there, which will include politicians as well. i have always wondered what they eat at these state banquets. i imagine 10—15 courses. cooked by the best chefs in the world. my mouth is watering, i will hand over to helena now before i start salivating live on—air. helena, we can see now behind you they are arriving.— they are arriving. yes, that is ri . ht, they are arriving. yes, that is right. the _ they are arriving. yes, that is right, the carriages _ they are arriving. yes, that is right, the carriages we - they are arriving. yes, that is right, the carriages we can i they are arriving. yes, that is. right, the carriages we can see they are arriving. yes, that is - right, the carriages we can see in front of us, i'm just looking at that open carriage with the king and the japanese emperorjust getting close to the gates at buckingham palace. following their carriage, the queen, queen camilla, and the japanese empress in a separate carriage. and i don't know if you picked up the sounds as you were seeing those pictures, the carriages made their way along the mall, there were cheers of delight from quite a number of people who have now outlined the mall to see the king, the queen and the japanese emperor and empress. a lot of people, not surprisingly, have their phones up, taking videos and pictures as that moment passed. we can see the carriages now making their way into the grounds of buckingham palace following that formal ceremonial welcome on horse guards parade for the start of this state visit, as we have been mentioning, it's the first japanese state visit since 1998. unusual that it is happening during an election period, politics will be stripped out of this state visit by the japanese royal couple, there will not be any downing street meetings, but as you have been mentioning, we have got that very lavish state banquet that will be held at the palace this evening. again, we don't know what is on the menu yet, but it is always an extravagant affair, the prime minister will be in attendance, as will the labour leader sir keir starmer, and other dignitaries as well. princess ann will not be here this evening, but the king will be hosting that state banquet later tonight. —— princess anne. before that, the royal couple will be treated to lunch here at palace with the king and queen, later on this afternoon, they go to westminster abbey, where they will meet the dean of westminster and they will also, the emperor will lay a wreath on the grave of the unknown warrior. you can probably see behind us those horses, carriages making their way into buckingham palace where the royal couple willjoin the king and the queen for lunch before that visit to westminster abbey later this afternoon, and then the state banquet after that. i’m this afternoon, and then the state banquet after that.— this afternoon, and then the state banquet after that. i'm 'ust reading more about — banquet after that. i'm 'ust reading more about the h banquet after that. i'm 'ust re