South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will make a state visit to Britain, Buckingham Palace said on Monday, the first such visit since King Charles succeeded his late mother Queen Elizabeth last month.Ramaphosa and his wife, Tshepo Motsepe, have accepted an invitation from the new British monarch for the Nov. 22-24 state visit, the palace said.
The South African Times
Tuesday, November 22
- The Prince and Princess of Wales greet the President and Tshepo Motsepe at the Corinthia Hotel
- The King and Queen Consort formally welcome the President and Tshepo Motsepe at the Royal Pavilion. The King and President will inspect the Guard of Honor
- Travel to Buckingham Palace
- The President visits Westminster Abbey
- State Banquet
The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted the President at the hotel as planned, but unfortunately Tshepo Motsepe was unable to make the trip due to recovery from surgery. Kate wore an Emilia Wickstead dress in a familiar design. She just loves those pleated skirts. Her pillbox hat is by Sean Barrett. The big excitement, around here at least, was the appearance of the Princess of Wales Feathered brooch and the repeated Collingwood earrings.
The King and Queen Consort greeted them at the Royal Pavilion before proceeding by carriage to Buckingham Palace. The Queen looked very fresh in blue with a new-to-us brooch – hoping that is a moonstone!
Other members of the Royal Family, including the Countess of Wessex and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, were there for lunch and the official “viewing of the presents”.
Other royals including the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl and Countess of Wessex are here too. pic.twitter.com/t12U1zszbo
— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) November 22, 2022
Ah, the moment everyone has been anticipating. May I say that it doesn’t disappoint?
The King and The Queen Consort hosted the State Banquet, on behalf of the Nation, for the President of the Republic of South Africa. The Queen, as we predicted, wore Bruce Oldfield, and a repeat from last summer’s CHOGM at that. She surprised us all with the The Belgian Sapphire tiara, worn with the George VI sapphire necklace and bracelet, and what we believe to be the Saudi earrings.
Also, enjoy the Lord Mayor in his finery!
The King has emerald studs on his shirt and waistcoat!
First, apologies to the Prince of Wales. The first slide in the deck was the only one of the Prince and Princess together, and he is smushed to one side. Oh well, obviously the photographer wanted to capture the full glory of Catherine’s Jenny Packham Elspeth gown. Yes, she rewore the Lover’s Knot tiara, and she also rewore her new brooch from Remembrance Sunday and the South Sea earrings. However, the total package is so good I’ll accept recent re-wears!
The Countess and Earl of Wessex made a lovely pair. Sophie is wearing a Suzanna dress with her Aquamarine Necklace tiara. It’s possible she is wearing the Pear Shaped Pendant Fringe around her neck (or something new).
Wednesday, November 23
- The President and the Earl of Wessex visit the Royal Botanic Gardens
- The President visits Prime Minister at Downing Street
- Banquet at the Guildhall attended by the President, Tshepo Motsepe, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester
Prince Edward was the tour guide for the visit to the Royal Botanic Gardens, and it appears that the President shares the English love for gardening. Certainly they both looked delighted to be there (President Ramaphosa is SUCH a happy, engaged guest. An utter joy to watch!)
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester were the royal family’s representatives at the Guildhall Banquet in honor of the South African President. I am still fuming over the fact we didn’t get clear photos of the Duchess in the Cartier Indian tiara yesterday, however she came through with the Gloucester Honeysuckle tiara tonight. Click through the slide deck to see the triple decker Pearl and Emerald necklace. Lovely! Now the silver cape – well, I’ll leave you to discuss that in the comments.
King Charles III has said his farewells! Just like that, it’s all over!
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