Emperor Naruhito said Thursday he had “a very heart-warming time” with King Charles III and Queen Camilla during his official visit to Britain.
Speaking to reporters after a visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, on the outskirts of London, the emperor reflected on official events such as a state banquet hosted by the royal couple.
“I had the strong impression that I was returning to a place full of memories,” he said of the visit to Britain, where he studied in the 1980s. “Britain also has sentimental meaning for (Empress) Masako, so I was really happy to get together.”
Before the trip to the botanical gardens, Emperor Naruhito visited St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle and laid flowers at the grave of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip.
“I visited the grave as a sincere gesture of gratitude for everything they have done for me and for their kindness,” he said.
“I am happy that we have rekindled our friendship with British royals like Prince William,” he also said.
In the botanical garden, the emperor received an explanation from a garden official about the efforts to collect and preserve rare seeds. He also met with the garden’s botanical artist, Masumi Yamanaka, 66, and asked what inspired her to pursue botanical art.
