There was some chatter last week about the Princess of Wales possibly coming out for the first day of the state visit by Japan’s Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako. Kate did not come out. I wasn’t really expecting her to, although I wonder if she would have liked getting dolled up and wearing a tiara. Can’t be too eager about it though. So, Prince William was left to do the heavy lifting of global statesmanship all by himself. He’s a big-boy international statesman now, which is why his father sent him to the emperor and empress’s London hotel to greet them before the ceremonial greeting at Buckingham Palace. People Magazine referred to his hotel-greeting as “a major role” in the state visit. LOL.
For state visits, there’s often an offer of “riding around in a carriage,” I think part of the troop inspection?? I’ll admit, I’m bullsh-tting my way through some of these conversations about palace ceremonies and royal diplomacy and what have you. Suffice to say, William was also called on to ride around in a carriage, and he had to make small talk with Hirofumi Nakasone, who is Member of the House of Councillors of Japan. There are photos of William pointing at things and photos of William looking bored. Mr. Nakasone gives some excellent side-eye and I can sense how he really feels about being assigned Huevo.
Can someone tell the big-boy global statesman to work on his body language? I thought his “hands tightly clasped in front of his groin” pose was awkward, but check out the appearance of his other favorite pose, “shoulders slumped, pissy expression, with fists of rage at the ready.”
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
The Mall, London, UK. 25th June 2024. HRH, Prince William, Prince of Wales and His Excellency Mr Hirofumi Nakasone, Head of the Official Suite, ride in the Semi-State Landau for the carriage procession along The Mall following a formal welcome on Horse Guards Parade on the Japan State Visit to the UK.,Image: 884569338, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Supplied by AVALON – Fee Payable Upon Reproduction – For queries contact Avalon – sales@avalon.red London: +44 (0) 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles: +1 (310) 822 0419 Madrid: +34 91 533 4289, Model Release: no, Credit line: Photo by Amanda Rose / Avalon 
(L-R) – Empress Masako of Japan, Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Emperor Naruhito of Japan and Prince William – The Prince of Wales at a Ceremonial Welcome for the State Visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan at Horse Guards Parade in London, England, UK on Tuesday 25 June, 2024.,Image: 884583351, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon 
His Excellency Mr Hirofumi Nakasone, Head of the Official Suite and Prince William – The Prince Of Wales depart the Ceremonial Welcome for the State Visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan at Horse Guards Parade in London, England, UK on Tuesday 25 June, 2024.,Image: 884583662, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon
His Excellency Mr Hirofumi Nakasone, Head of the Official Suite and Prince William – The Prince Of Wales depart the Ceremonial Welcome for the State Visit by The Emperor and Empress of Japan at Horse Guards Parade in London, England, UK on Tuesday 25 June, 2024.,Image: 884583682, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Please credit photographer and agency when publishing as Justin Ng/UPPA/Avalon., Model Release: no, Credit line: Justin Ng / Avalon 
State visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the United Kingdom Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: Cover Images 
State visit of the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the United Kingdom Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: Cover Images
The Prince of Wales greets Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at their hotel in London, on behalf of the King, before the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, London, for their state visit to the UK Featuring: William, Prince of Wales, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako of Japan Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
The Prince of Wales greets Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at their hotel in London, on behalf of the King, before the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, London, for their state visit to the UK Featuring: William, Prince of Wales, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako of Japan Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
The Prince of Wales greets Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at their hotel in London, on behalf of the King, before the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade, London, for their state visit to the UK Featuring: William, Prince of Wales, Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako of Japan Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**
The Prince of Wales during the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London, for the state visit to the UK of the Empress and her husband, Emperor Naruhito Featuring: William, Prince of Wales Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Queen Camilla with The Prince of Wales during the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade in London, for the state visit to the UK of the Empress and her husband, Emperor Naruhito Featuring: Queen Camilla, William, Prince of Wales Where: London, United Kingdom When: 25 Jun 2024 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW9nbYV3e8%2BroKeblZTEqrjLopiml6eWwKCtvpugoGWSpMags8uomZqkj6jBosDErKSapo%2BbvLOr06GcmKKRpa6vsdKelqyskamyoMLIrKCtZw%3D%3D