Royal Family Visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla lead royals at State Banquet

Today marks the first day of the South Korean state visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

By Catherine Meyer-Funnell, Royal Reporter based in London, Lauren Welch, Royal Reporter based in London

The King and the President in the Irish State Coach in the carriage procession

and has taken the lead as fellow senior royals attend a State Banquet at Bukckingham Palace this evening.

The royal couple are hosting the President and First Lady of South Korea at the white-tie dinner at the official London residence tonight.

Proving to be a moment for the royal tiaras, Queen Camilla wore the late Queen Elizabeth II's Burmese Ruby tiara for the first time with a red velvet Fiona Clare gown.

Earlier on Tuesday, the royal couple staged a lunch in honour of the President and First Lady's arrival. The couple were also joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, who both played a key role in their greeting.

After a private lunch hosted by Charles, the King took the President and First Lady to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items relating to South Korea that are kept in the Royal Collection.

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The State Visit Of The President Of The Republic Of Korea - Day 1

The King and Queen lead royals at the banquet (Image: Getty)

Inside King Charles and Queen Camilla's lavish four-course State Banquet menu

The King and Queen are hosting the President and First Lady of South Korea at Buckingham Palace along with other senior royals.

King Charles and Queen Camilla are set to welcome the President and First Lady of South Korea for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace this evening.

The royals formally welcomed the couple, who arrived at Stansted Airport in Essex on Monday afternoon, earlier today.

The King and Queen are hosting the South Korean President and First Lady (Image: PA)

Princess Kate and Prince William greet South Korean President and First Lady

Today marks the first day of the South Korean state visit of President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

and is formally welcoming the President and First Lady of South Korea to the UK today, following their arrival at Stansted Airport yesterday afternoon.

The guests of honour were first greeted by Prince William and Princess Kate at their hotel this morning, before accompanying them to Horse Guards Parade in central London where they will be given a ceremonial welcome.

During the formal welcome on the Royal Pavilion presentations were made, while the Guards of Honour gave the Royal Salute and South Korea's national anthem will be played.

The President and the King then inspect the Guard of Honour before the royals and their guests travelled to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession along the Mall.

After a private lunch hosted by Charles, he will take his visitors to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items relating to South Korea that are kept in the Royal Collection.

Kate and William pictured with the Korean President and First Lady (Image: PA)

The royal lunch at Buckingham Palace

King Charles, Queen Camilla were joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duchess of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester in entertaining the President of the Republic of Korea and the First Lady to lunch at Buckingham Palace.

This was followed by an exhibition of Korean items from The Royal Collection.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have joined the lunch at the Palace (Image: GETTY)

Good afternoon from London

Good afternoon from London, I'm Lauren Welch and I'll be bringing you all the latest updates on the royal state visit today into this evening. Feel free to get in touch lauren.welch@reachplc.com

The royal carriage arrives at Buckingham Palace

The horse-drawn carriage carrying the royals, the President and First Lady of South Korea has arrived at Buckingham Palace.

The group will now enjoy a private lunch before this afternoon's engagements.

A horse drawn carriage pulls up to Buckingham Palace

It's time for lunch at Buckingham Palace (Image: Getty)

Queen Camilla dons striking feather hat and sapphire diamond brooch owned by Queen Mary

In contrast to Princess Kate, Queen Camilla opted for a darker navy hue for the first day of the South Korean state visit.

Her Majesty is wearing a blue coat dress by Anna Valentine and a striking feather hat by royal favourite Philip Treacy.

She accessorised the outfit with a sapphire and diamond brooch which belonged to Queen Mary.

Queen Camilla in navy and feather hat

Camilla went for regal navy and feathers (Image: Getty)

Carriage procession makes its way back to Buckingham Palace

The Royal Family and their visiting South Korean guests have departed Horse Guards to make their way back to Buckingham Palace.

They are travelling by carriage, the 1902 State Landau, which is most often used during state visits.

The State Landau 1902 on procession

The party making their way back to the Palace in style (Image: Getty)

Princess Kate wears £3000 bright red coat dress and matching hat and heels

Princess Kate turned heads in her spectacular red outfit as she and Prince William welcomed the President and First Lady of South Korea.

The 41-year-old is wearing a scarlet coat dress from Catherine Walker that retails at £3,000 and features a prominent bow at the front.

Her hat is by Jane Taylor.

Princess Kate wearing red coat and hat

Kate wearing Catherine Walker, one of her favourite designers (Image: Getty)

King Charles greets South Korean President and First Lady

King Charles and Queen Camilla have met with their guests, President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.

The King and the President were pictured shaking hands.

The King and Queen, Kate and William and His Excellency and the First Lady then inspected the Guards of Honour.

King Charles and Queen Camilla inspect guard

King Charles and Queen Camilla inspect guard (Image: Getty)

King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive

King Charles and Queen Camilla have arrived at Horse Guards Parade in their royal Bentley.

Camilla looks resplendent in a blue dress and coat by Anne Valentine, accessorised with a Philip Treacy hat and sapphire and diamond brooch.

Charles and Camilla in back of Bentley

The King and Queen arrive to greet their guests (Image: Getty)

Princess Kate and Prince William greet South Korean guests

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee have been officially welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Their car has now officially arrived at Horse Guards Parade.

Princess Kate and Prince William with President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee

Princess Kate and Prince William with President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon Hee (Image: Getty)

F Company Scots Guards on parade for state visit

The F Company Scots Guards are on parade near Whitehall for the state visit of the President and First Lady of South Korea.

Today kicks off the three-day visit, with a series of engagements for the royals and His Excellency in London.

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Plans for this afternoon's state visit unveiled

During their state visit this afternoon the President and First Lady of South Korea will go with the Duke of Gloucester to take part in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Korean War Memorial, as 2023 marks 70 years since the conflict.

Following this they will travel to Westminster Abbey, where President Yoon Suk Yeol will lay a wreath at the Grave of the Unknown Warrior, before he and his wife explore the Abbey and meet with pensioners from the Royal Hospital Chelsea who saw active service during the Korean War.

The President and First Lady will then go on to the Palace of Westminster, where they will be greeted by the Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, and the Lord Speaker, before the President delivers a speech in the Royal Gallery.

This evening a state banquet will be held at Buckingham Palace in honour of the visit, attended by members of the Royal Family.

Good morning

Good morning from London, I'm Catherine Meyer-Funnell and I'll be bringing you all the latest updates on the royal state visit today into this afternoon. Feel free to get in touch cathey.meyerfunnell@reachplc.com

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