King Charles makes Pokémon joke as he delivers speech during Japanese state banquet

26 June 2024, 13:30 | Updated: 26 June 2024, 13:34

Charles and Camilla with the Japanese emperor and empress
Charles and Camilla with the Japanese emperor and empress. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Emma Soteriou

King Charles joked about Pokémon during his speech at the Japanese state banquet on Tuesday evening.

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Charles and Camilla welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to the UK earlier in the day, marking the start of their three-day visit.

The trip, which was previously postponed due to the pandemic, was "slightly adapted" due to the upcoming General Election.

On Tuesday evening, the leaders gathered for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, with Camilla seen stepping out wearing the King's new Family Order for the first time.

The banquet rounded off the first day of the state visit
The banquet rounded off the first day of the state visit. Picture: Alamy
The state visit will last for three days.
The state visit will last for three days. Picture: Getty

Delivering a speech at the banquet, Charles made references to Hello Kitty and Pokémon - two popular Japanese cartoon characters.

He reflected on times he had been fly fishing with the emperor, saying: "I am 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 is, perhaps, aspirational."

He also wished a “very happy” 50th birthday to Hello Kitty.

Read more: Japanese emperor and empress meet with Royals - after Emperor Naruhito studied his life's passion The Thames barrier

Read more: King Charles sends 'fondest love’ to Princess Anne who will ‘quickly bounce back’ after being hit by horse

Charles delivered a speech at the banquet.
Charles delivered a speech at the banquet. Picture: Getty
Charles with the emperor.
Charles with the emperor. Picture: Getty

“Even our hobbies have shared roots,” the King went on to say, explaining that British walkers helped introduce mountain climbing in Japan.

“This is a passion which many British and Japanese now have in common – not least, at an individual level, Your Majesty and myself.”

Among the guests at the banquet were PM Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Keir Starmer and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey.

Rishi Sunak at the event.
Rishi Sunak at the event. Picture: Alamy
Keir Starmer and his wife at the banquet
Keir Starmer and his wife at the banquet. Picture: Alamy

The emperor and his wife arrived at Stansted Airport on Saturday and carried out several private engagements before meeting the royals.

They visited the Thames Flood Barrier on Monday, with the river being one of the emperor's life-long passions.

As a student at Oxford University in the 1980s, his research focused on water transport on the River Thames in the 18th century.

He went on to write a memoir in the 90s called The Thames And I.

Sir Ed Davey at the state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife
Sir Ed Davey at the state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife. Picture: Alamy

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