Inside King Charles’ ‘Tearful’ Speech About George, Charlotte & Louis At State Banquet
Yesterday, King Charles made a sweet nod to his three Wales grandchildren as he delivered a speech at the state banquet thrown in honor of Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan. Paying tribute to his important guests, who are on a three-day official visit to the UK, the monarch referred to Japanese cultural icons, including the fictional character Hello Kitty and the video game Pokémon. While addressing the emperor, King Charles reminisced about the four-decade-long friendship he shares with him, recalling the time they went fly fishing together. Cracking a self-deprecating joke, he said, “I’m only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing. The Pokémon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me, it’s perhaps aspirational.”
Reporting the speech, a source also described how Prince William reacted to hearing the king casually mentioning his grandchildren and their passions. “There was a little smile from William at the mention of Pokémon and their grandchildren.” The Prince of Wales was one of the senior royals flanking the king, who is also undertaking cancer treatment, during the major reception in the palace’s ballroom. He was accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, Queen Camilla, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
The queen donned glittering tiaras and incredible diamond jewelry for this special event, but there was one accessory that set Camilla apart: she was the only British royal to wear King Charles III’s new Royal Family Order. Afterward, fans questioned why Camilla was the only one to wear it and why Duchess Sophie did not. Some suggested that it came down to hierarchy, speculating that once Catherine returns to duty and receives hers, Sophie would be given her order. Others noted Princess Anne’s absence might also have played a part. However, the answer is likely far more practical: the ladies likely haven’t received theirs due to the amount of time it takes to make each handcrafted piece rather than hierarchy or favoritism.
It comes after royal watchers spotted Duchess Sophie paying a subtle tribute to the Princess of Wales, who was unable to attend as she continues to receive cancer treatment. Sophie is known to have a close bond with Catherine, and she found a touching way to pay tribute to William’s wife in her absence from the Buckingham Palace event. The 59-year-old wore a beautiful deep green gown from Suzannah London, teamed with a magnificent array of dazzling diamond jewels, including diamond chandelier drop earrings and a necklace on loan from her sister-in-law, Queen Camilla. She also chose to wear the Lotus Flower Tiara, known to be a favorite of the princess, who was the last person to wear it at the Diplomatic Corps reception in 2022.
The Lotus Flower Tiara was made by the House of Garrard in 1923 for Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother. It was much loved by Princess Margaret and remains part of the royal family’s jewelry collection. The pearls and diamonds of the tiara were taken from a necklace that King George VI had gifted to his wife for their wedding the same year. Notably, it’s the first time that Sophie has worn the Lotus Flower Tiara publicly; she typically wears the Wessex Aquamarine Tiara, reportedly made for her by Collins and Sons.
Now, the Princess of Wales is continuing to focus on her recovery, making her first public appearance since her cancer diagnosis at Trooping the Color this month. This time, William looked less lost without his wife by his side than he had tended to. He strode up with poise and confidence, looking much like the leading royal. William offered his hand as an announcement gesture to the visiting Japanese head of state. When he clasps both hands and shakes, it lasts for quite a few seconds, and he chats throughout. His handshake with the empress seems to involve a head bow and eye contact with raised eyebrows, showing signals of a friendly approach. The prince leads the conversation with good eye contact and some animated body language, seemingly to help his guest relax and smile, much like his grandmother always could.
