Japanese state visit will skip Downing Street

There had been speculation the entire visit would be postponed, as previous state visits that clashed with elections have been.

But the royal couple will arrive in the UK at the weekend, with some private visits before official events begin on Tuesday with a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade.

There will be a carriage ride along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, a visit to Westminster Abbey and then the state banquet in the evening, where in the past, the King has greeted his guests in their own language.

The visit will emphasise the economic, military, cultural and scientific links between the UK and Japan, with visits on Wednesday to the Francis Crick Institute and Kew Gardens.

But there will be no meeting at 10 Downing Street, unlike on the previous Japanese state visit, in 1998.

Another state visit had been planned for 2020 but cancelled because of the pandemic.

Such state visits are a mix of pageantry and diplomacy, putting out the red carpet for important visitors and building links.