The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh were hosted by Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako on their first and only State Visit to Japan on this day in 1975, which was the first visit by a British Monarch, 30 years after the end of the Second World War. The State Visit followed the Emperor’s State Visit to the United Kingdom in 1971.

Emperor Hirohito and Empress Nagako received the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on their first and only State Visit to Japan in 1975.

In the evening, Emperor Hirohito (in the Order of the Garter) and Empress Nagako (in the Meiji Scroll Tiara) hosted a State Banquet in honour of the Queen (wearing the Burmese Ruby Tiara) and Duke at the Imperial Palace.

Other events during the State Visit included a motorcade through Tokyo, a Dinner hosted by the Prime Minister, Tea with the Crown Prince and Crown Princess, a Sumo Match, and a traditional Japanese Dinner in Kyoto.

Their itinerary, which you can see, was packed with official visits. The couple was at least given a chance to “rest” in Kyoto, but due to the ongoing transport strike, they flew there instead.  The queen took in the sights of temples and sipped green tea in the Katsura Imperial Villa Garden.

The Queen (wearing the Vladimir Tiara) and Duke of Edinburgh also hosted a Return Banquet in honour of the Japanese Emperor and Empress at the British Embassy in Tokyo.

Archive

Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara

Vladimir Tiara

Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara

Belgian Sapphire Tiara

Burmese Ruby Tiara

Brazilian Aquamarine Tiara

Queen Mary’s Fringe Tiara

Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara

Queen Victoria’s Oriental Circlet Tiara

Nizam of Hyderabad Tiara

Plunket Tiara

Five Aquamarine Tiara

Imperial State Crown

George IV State Diadem

Necklaces

Coronation Necklace and Earrings

The Cambridge Emerald Parure

Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee Necklace