On November 16, 2011, T.M.s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan continued their official visit to Japan this afternoon.
H.I.H. Crown Prince Naruhito of Japan welcomed the royal couple at the Imperial Palace on behalf of the Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The Emperor is still in the hospital battling Bronchitis. During the welcoming ceremony the national anthems of the two countries were played, and King Jigme received a salute from a Ground Self-Defense Force Honor Guard.
In the evening there was a state banquet at the Imperial Palace with 150 people in attendance including Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda. In his welcoming speech, Crown Prince Naruhito noted that it was a “…pleasure to welcome the King and Queen so soon after their marriage.”
Crown Prince Naruhito also noted that his father, Emperor Akihito, expressed “…gratitude to Bhutan for the aid extended to victims of the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.”
To watch a video as well as to view photos from today’s events please click the links below:
Source: NHK World
Photo courtesy of: Daylife/Reuters
royalcorrespondent.com 