The Lord Mayor of London supported by the City of London Army Reserves, welcomed The Emperor and Empress of Japan to a Banquet at the medieval Guildhall during their State Visit to the United Kingdom, on Wednesday 26th June, Reserves Day.
Earlier in the week, at the exact moment that The Emperor of Japan placed his foot upon the step of the Royal Pavilion in Horse Guards at the start of the State Visit to the UK, two and a half miles away, the Honourable Artillery Company, the City of London Army Reserve Regiment, fired a 41 Gun Salute at His Majesty’s Tower of London on behalf of the City of London.
The Gun Salute is an ancient signal of welcome and peaceful intent from one nation to the other.
On Wednesday night, The Guard of Honour in Guildhall Square was provided by that same City of London Army Reserve Regiment, The Honourable Artillery Company, accompanied by their regimental Band.
CPL SQUIRES – UK MOD © Crown copyright 2024. MOD Crown Copyright News / Editorial Licence.
Coincidentally, the date fell on Reserves Day, where the nation recognises and honours the contribution made by those who voluntarily give up their spare time to serve in the Armed Forces, bringing the skills and insights of their daily civilian career to defence.
The Honourable Artillery Company (HAC) has strong links with Japan which began in October 2018 when the HAC were the first foreign force to train with the Japan Ground Self-Defence Force (Japanese Army) on the slopes of Mount Fuji.
At that time, apart from the US, no foreign troops had ever conducted military exercises on Japanese soil.
That first joint UK/Japan exercise, named Vigilant Isles, has now become an annual event, and grown exponentially in size and breadth of capability, with British and Japanese troops working together to develop their operational capabilities and to promote mutual understanding and trust. The increasing importance of Japan to the UK as a partner in the Indo-Pacific, and the signing of the Hiroshima Accord in May 2023, has seen the exercise grow in scope and ambition and our defence partnership flourish.
In Guildhall Square this week, as the Emperor and Empress alighted from their car and greeted the Lord Mayor at London’s medieval Guildhall, the HAC showed a different side to their operational role. Dressed in ceremonial guard order, the HAC Guard of Honour performed a Royal Salute and the Band will played the National Anthem of Japan.
The Captain of the Guard of Honour, marched forward and presented the Guard of Honour to the Emperor of Japan with the words: “The Guard of Honour from the Honourable Artillery Company is formed up and awaiting your inspection. May I have your permission to accompany you, Sir, please?”
When a foreign dignitary is on a state visit the host is responsible for the security of their visitor. This is visibly symbolised by providing a ceremonial guard which the visitor is courteously invited to inspect. The Japanese Emperor had inspected the Welsh Guards Guard of Honour in Whitehall on his arrival to the UK, but as the City of London is a separate ceremonial county in England, independent from Greater London, it is traditional for the City of London Corporation to present their own Guard of Honour ceremony for esteemed visitors.
The Lord Mayor accompanied the Emperor as he carried out the inspection.
For all the soldiers involved it was a very important occasion and a huge honour to represent their country.
The British Army is a global force. One that is persistently engaged around the world, training and operating with its partners. And training to be more lethal, agile, digitised and expeditionary.
