Newfrom Japan
Imperial Family Society
London, Sep 19 (Jiji Press) — Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako attended the state funeral of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey in London from 11 a.m. Monday.
It was the second time that a Japanese emperor attended the funeral of a foreign head of state or a member of the royal family. In the first case, Emperor Emeritus Akihito, father of the current Emperor, attended the state funeral of Belgian King Baudouin in 1993, when he was on the throne, together with his wife, Empress Empress Michiko.
Emperor Naruhito, wearing a morning dress, and Empress Masako, wearing a black dress, left their central London hotel shortly after 9.45am.
The Emperor and Empress got into a car, greeting the people who gathered around them. They changed to a bus prepared by the British side at the Royal Hospital Chelsea and headed for Westminster Abbey with others attending the state funeral of the Queen, who died on September 8.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako looked somber as they attended the funeral. All funeral attendees offered silent prayers for the Queen.
[Copyright The Jiji Press, Ltd.]
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