The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh have arrived in Japan for a three-day royal visit, and they have a packed schedule. Following a reception at the British Ambassador’s residence in Tokyo, Prince Edward and Sophie met with Crown Prince Akishino and his wife, Crown Princess Kiko, and their son, Prince Hisahito. The young prince, 19, recently took part in a traditional coming-of-age ceremony that drew global attention.
Later on Friday, Edward and Sophie, with the Duchess wearing a blue Gabriela Hearst dress patterned with cherry blossoms in tribute to one of Japan’s most iconic flowers, met with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the Imperial Palace.
The Duke and Duchess had a whirlwind first day in Tokyo. Along with their meetings with Japan’s imperial family, Sophie and Edward took part in a tree planting ceremony at the Akasaka State Guest House, a neo-Baroque style palace used to host official guests of the Japanese government, to commemorate Queen Elizabeth’s visit in 1975. They later took in a wrestling match at the National Sumo Arena, celebrating Japan’s national sport.
The royal couple are in Japan on behalf of the King, with a focus on strengthening the bilateral relationship between Britain and Japan. They will next be traveling to Osaka to visit the UK and Japanese pavilions at EXPO 2025, a public showcase on designing empowering technologies. Sophie and Edward will also visit Koyasan, a sacred monastery complex for Shingon Buddhism and UNESCO World Heritage Site in the mountains outside of Osaka. The Duke and Duchess will be in Japan until Monday, September 22.
It’s been an especially busy week for both of them. On Tuesday, Sophie was at the funeral of Katharine, Duchess of Kent at Westminster Cathedral in London. The first Catholic royal funeral in modern history, much of the extended British royal family was present, including King Charles. Prince Edward, however, was absent, as he was representing the King on a formal visit to Papua New Guinea through Wednesday. The couple were then both absent for the U.S. State Visit this week as King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted President Trump and First Lady Melania Trump at Windsor Castle.
