Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare leading the royal welcome for a special state visit.
And in a nod to the blue on Korea’s flag, the royal wore her a pair ofsapphire and diamond drop earringsthat previously belonged to her late mother-in-law Princess Diana (ajewelry repeatfrom just last week, which perfectly complements their shared engagement ring).
Prince William and Kate Middleton start Korea state visit on Nov. 21, 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Prince William and Princess Kate met the presidential couple at their hotel in London. They then traveled together to Horse Guards Parade, where they joinedKing CharlesandQueen Camillafor the ceremonial welcome, which included two ceremonial gun salutes (at Green Park and the Tower of London) of 41 shots sounding across the city.
Kate Middleton and Prince William with South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee.HENRY NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
HENRY NICHOLLS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images
The formal ceremony ended with the president and first lady joining King Charles, Queen Camilla, Prince William and Princess Kate in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace. The King and the president rode back to the palace in the Irish State Coach while the Queen and first lady took the Australian State Coach. The Prince and Princess of Wales were in the Scottish State Coach with Choo Kyungho, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance.
Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife will later take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of the war before they partake in another traditional stop-off for any incoming state visit: a trip to Westminster Abbey, where tribute will be made in the form of a wreath laying at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior.
British royal family starts Korea state visit on Nov. 21, 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Later, royal watchers will be treated to a glittering array of jewels and tiaras on show at the state banquet staged in the ballroom at Buckingham Palace.
This is the second state visit that King Charles has hosted since he became monarch in September 2022. The first wasthe occasionwhen the President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa came to London a year ago.
Prince William and Princess Kate’s key role in welcoming their guests mirrors when they did the same thing to welcome President Ramaphosa.
Prince William and Kate Middleton on Nov. 21, 2023.Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images
Victoria Jones/PA Images via Getty Images
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The day after Queen Elizabeth’s death in Sept. 2022, King Charles made William and Kate the newPrince and Princess of Wales, recognizing their seniority in the family and signaling their critical roles ahead.
Kate Middleton hosts Korea state visit on Nov. 21, 2023.Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
Dan Kitwood/Getty Images
“Charles is leading the way for them already, and [William and Kate] are both involved in decision-making behind the scenes. They are ready and willing to do the job — and Kate is very much a part of that,” a friend of the princessrecently told PEOPLE.
In the last year, the Prince and Princess of Wales have forged ahead with work that will be central to their lives for decades to come. Princess Kate has taken her early childhood initiative to a new public level withShaping Us, a campaign focused on kids under age 5, while Prince William is concentrating on a new homelessness project,Homewards. He has been increasing his global role, too, meeting PresidentJoe Bidenin Bostonlast Decemberandtraveling to the borderbetween Poland and Ukraine in March.
Kate Middleton starts Korea state visit on Nov. 21, 2023.Chris Jackson - WPA Pool/Getty Images
source: people.com
