King Charles restates his regrets over colonialism in speech

2022-11-23

‘Elements of history provoke profound sorrow’: Charles uses first speech to a foreign leader as King to signal his monarchy will tackle the legacy of colonialism – telling South African leader ‘we must acknowledge wrongs to unlock the power of the future’

King Charles III delivered a speech at his first state banquet since becoming monarch at Buckingham Palace
He said parts of historical relationship between Britain and South Africa ‘provoked profound sorrow’
The remarks were made during a two-day-long State Visit by South African president Cyril Ramaphosa

King Charles has used his first major speech to a foreign leader on the throne to signal his monarchy will tackle the legacy of colonialism.

In remarks made before South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, the new monarch said aspects of the relationship between the two countries ‘provoked profound sorrow’, but called for future cooperation.

It comes as His Majesty continues his push to keep the Commonwealth together, amid growing calls in some of its member nations to ditch the monarchy for good.

Last year the then-prince denounced the ‘appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history’ in a speech given in Barbados as it broke ties from the Royal Family and became a republic.

And earlier this year he expressed his sadness about the UK’s role in the slave trade, telling Commonwealth leaders: ‘I cannot describe the depths of my personal sorrow at the suffering of so many as I continue to deepen my own understanding of slavery’s enduring impact.’

In his latest remarks, made last night at Buckingham Palace, the King said he remained committed to ensuring Britain acknowledges ‘the wrongs which have shaped our past’.

He made the speech at a state banquet which had been held to mark the two-day state visit by President Ramaphosa and the South African delegation.

Members of the South African contingent were met by the likes of the King and Queen Consort, as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales, who charmed those in attendance.

A total of 163 people, including senior politicians from both countries were present for an opulent banquet as the Palace pulled out all the stops in the first state visit of the King’s reign.

King Charles III stands next to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa as the monarch gives a speech at a state banquet in Buckingham Palace last night

King Charles and President Cyril Ramaphosa appear deep in conversation as they make their way to the state banquet at Buckingham Palace last night

King Charles and president Cyril Ramaphosa toast at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace last night

Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, laughs as King Charles III cracks jokes during a speech at last nights’s state banquet

The Princess of Wales raises a toast with Cyril Ramaphosa, the president of South Africa, during last night’s state banquet at Buckingham Palace

King Charles III’s full speech at state banquet

President Ramaphosa,

Avuxeni, Dumela, Sawubona, Molo, Molweny, Ndaa. My wife and I are delighted to welcome you to Buckingham Palace this evening.

South Africa, like the Commonwealth, has always been a part of my life. My mother often recalled her visit in 1947, the year before I was born, when, from Cape Town on her twenty-first birthday, she pledged her life to the service of the people of the Commonwealth.

It is therefore particularly moving and special that you are our guest on this, the first State Visit we have hosted. If I may, I would like to give you our belated but very best wishes for you birthday last week.

The late Queen had the great pleasure of hosting Presidents Mandela, Mbeki and Zuma for State Visits to the United Kingdom, at all of which I was present. On each of those occasions, she expressed her admiration for your country and its people, its vibrancy, natural beauty and diversity.

And she always talked warmly of her return to your country in 1995, as the guest of President Mandela, after the momentous events – driven from within South Africa and supported by so many around the world, including here in the United Kingdom – that brought democracy to your country.

During one of my own visits to South Africa, in 1997, President Mandela told me that he had conferred on my mother a special name – Motlalepula, meaning ‘to come with rain’. I have been reassured that this was a mark of the particular affection President Mandela felt for the Queen… rather than a remark on the British habit of taking our weather with us!

I know that President Mandela was a friend and mentor to you, Mr President, and that your own brave and skillful negotiations helped to lay the foundations of modern South Africa.

The determination of people in South Africa to continue the legacy of the great men and women who have built your democracy is truly inspiring. It is our responsibility as leaders, and as partners in the UN, and G20 as well as the Commonwealth, to create the opportunity, prosperity and security that will allow them to do so. This is what I know you are seeking to achieve, Mr President, through you Adopt A School Foundation and what the United Kingdom seeks to support through our Chevening Scholarship programme which enables South African students to further their studies in universities across the United Kingdom.

It is only be working together across our countries and our generations that we will tackle some of the greatest challenges of our times. For instance, our collaboration in science and innovation is literally vital in order to protect our people’s health by preparing for future pandemics. Perhaps, above all, we must find and implement practical solutions to the twin, existential threats of climate change and biodiversity loss. To this end, I am proud that the United Kingdom, along with France, Germany, the United States of America and the European Union, have established a lasting partnership with South Africa by supporting you ambitions for a Just Energy Transition to a sustainable, green, economically vibrant future, and that our countries are committed to ensuring an ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework in Montreal this December. These are examples of our crucial modern relationship.

Of course, that relationship goes back centuries. While there are elements of that history which provoke profound sorrow, it is essential that we seek to understand them. As I said to Commonwealth leaders earlier this year, we must acknowledge the wrongs which have shaped our past if we are to unlock the power of our common future.

Today, the links between our countries run deep, with extensive family, professional and cultural ties. This month in London, for example, one could visit the Royal Academy where the major exhibition is a tribute to a South African artist, William Kentridge; or one might go, as my wife and I did, to visit the Victoria and Albert Museum, to see the Africa Fashion Exhibition which celebrates the daring, innovative style of South African designers; or, this weekend, one might choose to travel to Twickenham where English supporters will hope not to have to relive those extraordinary eighty minutes in 2019 when Siya Kolisi led and inspired your country to victory!

Indeed sport, which has done so much to define South Africa’s modern history, is inescapable in our relationship, and it is forging new paths. In women’s football, this year, Banyana Banyana brought home the Women’s Africa Cup, while our own Lionesses won the European Championship.

Mr President, your Visit offers an opportunity for us to chart a path forward together, investing in each other’s potential, and facing the challenges of our world together, as partners, and as friends, striving for equality, justice and fairness for all. At the turn of the year the world paid tribute to the life and legacy of a great South African, former Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Amongst his many memorable teachings, I am often reminded of one saying in particular – ‘My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together.’ I believe that is a vital lesson for us all, and an important thread in the partnership between our countries.

Ladies and gentlemen, as we commit to continuing on that journey, I invite you all to rise and drink a toast to President Ramaphosa, and to the people of South Africa.

Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika

In a speech before the banquet began, the King addressed head on the issue of Britain’s colonial history with South Africa, aspects of which ‘provoked profound sorrow’.

He said: ‘While there are elements of that history which provoke profound sorrow, it is essential that we seek to understand them. As I said to Commonwealth leaders earlier this year, we must acknowledge the wrongs which have shaped our past if we are to unlock the power of our common future.’

President Ramaphosa, who was sat beside him at the head table, gently nodded at his words.

The monarch also told his guests that ‘South Africa, like the Commonwealth, has always been a part of my life’.

The King told the room: ‘The late Queen had the great pleasure of hosting Presidents Mandela, Mbeki and Zuma for State Visits to the United Kingdom, at all of which I was present.

‘On each of those occasions, she expressed her admiration for your country and its people, its vibrancy, natural beauty and diversity.

‘And she always talked warmly of her return to your country in 1995, as the guest of President Mandela, after the momentous events – driven from within South Africa and supported by so many around the world, including here in the United Kingdom – that brought democracy to your country.

He left the audience laughing when he remarked: ‘During one of my own visits to South Africa, in 1997, President Mandela told me that he had conferred on my mother a special name – Motlalepula, meaning “to come with rain”.

‘I have been reassured that this was a mark of the particular affection President Mandela felt for the Queen… rather than a remark on the British habit of taking our weather with us!’

Earlier he had opened with the word ‘welcome’ in several of the main languages of South Africa which left the President delightedly saying ‘wow’ openly.

The king concluded with a rousing: ‘Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika’.

The speech seems to suggest a continuation of the conciliatory the King struck while he was heir to the throne, as anger bubbles away at the UK’s role in the slave trade.

In 2021 the Caribbean nation of Barbados became a republic after a referendum on removing the Queen as head of state.

In a speech given when it became a republic in November 2021, the then-Prince Charles said: ‘From the darkest days of our past, and the appalling atrocity of slavery, which forever stains our history, the people of this island forged their path with extraordinary fortitude.’

In recent tours of the Caribbean members of the Royal Family have tried to strike a similar tone in a bid to stop burgeoning republican movements in the likes of Jamaica, Grenada and Belize.

Last night the Princess of Wales played a key role in smoothing any frayed edges, with the King’s daughter-in-law seen beaming as she entertained President Ramaphosa at the banquet.

Kate Middleton wowed in a stunning white dress and donned the sparkling Lover’s Knot Tiara – an item that had been a favourite of Diana – as the Royal Family welcomed a delegation from the African nation.

There were smiles all round as the King and Camilla, Queen Consort, greeted Mr Ramaphosa, at the palace yesterday evening ahead of an opulent banquet which was also attended by the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and senior politicians from both countries.

Mr Ramaphosa, whose visit was in the planning before the Queen Elizabeth II’s death, was greeted by more than 1,000 soldiers, 230 horses, seven military bands and two state coaches on Tuesday.

Later he was an honoured guest at a State Banquet held by the King, Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family at Buckingham Palace.

As members of the Royal Family arrived at the Palace last night, all eyes were drawn to the Princess of Wales, who stunned onlookers with her dazzling outfit topped off with Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara.

The sparkling number once belonged to Princess Diana and it is now perhaps Kate’s most favoured piece of royal jewellery.

The tiara was made by Royal jeweller Garrard in 1914 to Queen Mary’s personal design, from pearls and diamonds already in her family’s possession.

It was a copy of one owned by her grandmother, Princess Augusta of Hesse, who married the first Duke of Cambridge, seventh son of King George III, in 1818.

In her will, Queen Mary left the tiara to the Queen who wore it frequently, including at an evening event in 1955.

In 1981 she gave it as a wedding present to Prince William’s mother, Diana, who wore it for the first time at the state opening of parliament that November. Diana also wore the tiara in 1985 on an official visit to Washington with Prince Charles.

And since her death the glistening headpiece has been worn by the Princess of Wales; in October 2018, Kate wore the tiara to a state banquet along with a silvery blue taffeta gown by one of her go-to designers, Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen.

She teamed it with Princess Diana’s Collingwood pearl earrings and Queen Alexandra of Denmark’s wedding gift necklace, which was a favourite of the Queen Mother’s.

The Queen Mother wore the diamond and pearl sparkler on her 85th birthday in 1985 and during a formal appearance in 1964.

Camilla, the Queen Consort, was spotted wearing the George VI Sapphire Tiara, which used to belong to the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Female members of the Firm were seen sporting the Royal Family Order, a brooch showing a portrait of the late monarch on a yellow ribbon which is worn at all state banquets.

The Princess of Wales at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace. She can be seen wearing Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara, as well as a pair of diamond and pearl drop earrings, both of which were favourites of her late mother-in-law Diana

Kate was seen wearing the Lover’s Knot Tiara last night (right), which was also a favourite of Diana, Princess of Wales (left)

The Princess of Wales accompanies a member of the South African delegation at the state banquet at Buckingham Palace

King Charles makes the president of South Africa, Cyril Ramaphosa, laugh during a speech before last night’s state banquet at Buckingham Palace

Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, looks on as she stands next to her husband Prince William at the state banquet last night

The Princess of Wales smiles at the reception as she is seen wearing Queen Mary’s Lover’s Knot Tiara along with diamond and pearl earrings, both of which were favourites of Diana

Kate Middleton smiles as she looks on at the state banquet. She can be seen wearing the Royal Family Order brooch, which is a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and a yellow ribbon that is worn at all state banquets

The Princess of Wales wore a brooch depicting the late Queen Elizabeth II during last night’s State Banquet at Buckingham Palace

King Charles III (centre) and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, welcome South African president Cyril Ramaphosa (left) to last night’s state banquet at Buckingham Palace

Camilla, Queen Consort, donned the George VI Tiara, which had been worn by the late Queen Elizabeth II

Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, stand at Buckingham Palace ahead of last night’s state banquet

King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort, and President Cyril Ramaphosa talk to a soldier before the state banquet at Buckingham Palace

Sir Ed Davey, leader of the Liberal Democrats, at last night’s banquet with his wife Emily Gasson

The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive for the State Banquet for South African president Cyril Ramaphosa at Buckingham Palace

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, wowed as she arrived dressed in a stunning white dress along with a tiara, earrings and a brooch

King Charles III and Camilla, the Queen Consort, arrive at Buckingham Palace ahead of the State Banquet for the president of South Africa

Edward and Sophie, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, arrive at the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace last night

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak arrives at Buckingham Palace last night with his wife Akshata Murthy

Prince William arrives at Buckingham Palace for last night’s state banquet with a delegation from South Africa

The Duke of Kent (pictured right) arrives for the State Banquet for South African president Cyril Ramaphosa at Buckingham Palace

The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester arrive at Buckingham Palace for last night’s State Banquet for the president of South Africa

The menu for last night’s state banquet at Buckingham Palace

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles, Camilla, Prince William, and Catherine attended the Ceremonial Welcome on Tuesday

Chefs at Buckingham Palace have also created the national flowers of South Africa, Protea, out of sugar and edible colouring

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, addresses MPs and peers in the Royal Gallery at the Palace of Westminster

A procession leading a state carriage containing Britain’s King Charles, Queen Consort Camilla and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa back to Buckingham Palace

Last night’s event offered a lavish menu of two mains: grilled brill with wild mushrooms, truffles and sorrel sauce or ballotine of Windsor Pheasant filled with artichokes, quince compote and port sauce.

It is a departure from the banquets of the late Queen Elizabeth II, who often favoured Balmoral venison or lamb from one of the other royal estates when hosting foreign dignitaries.

The sides included a selection of assorted Chantenay carrots, kale with roasted butternut squash, braised fondant potatoes and salad.

Iced Vanilla Parfait with Caramelised Apples or coffee and bite-sized confectionery were the options for dessert.

There were wines on offer to accompany the luxurious food, including a Château Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol 2000 that tastes of ‘melted liquorish, cherries and earth’, plus £75 Taylor’s Vintage Port 1983.

Others included Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs 2016, an English sparkling wine that goes at £60 a bottle, a £77 Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru, a Morgeot, Clos de la Chapelle, Domaine Duc de Magenta 2014 which goes for £61 and Château Rieussec 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes 2007 which is £55.

On Monday the kitchens at Buckingham Palace also created the national flowers of South Africa, Protea, out of sugar and edible colouring, for the State Banquet.

Naledi Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation of South Africa, William, Prince of Wales, King Charles III and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

South African president Cyril Ramaphosa laughs with Speaker of the House of Commons Sir Lindsay Hoyle at Parliament yesterday

The menu for State Visit of South African premier Cyril Ramaphosa

Le Menu

Filet de Barbue Gallieni

(Grilled Brill with Wild Mushrooms and Truffles, Sorrel Sauce)

. . .

Ballotine de Faisan aux Artichauts, Compote de Coings, Sauce au Porto

(Ballotine of Windsor Pheasant filled with Artichokes, Quince Compote and Port Sauce)

. . .

Panaché de Carottes de Chantenay

(Selection of assorted Chantenay Carrots)

Chou Frisé et Potiron Rôti

(Kale with Roasted Butternut Squash)

Pommes de Terre Fondantes

(Braised Fondant Potatoes)

Salade

. . .

Parfait de Vanille et Pommes Caramélisées

(Iced Vanilla Parfait with Caramelised Apples)

. . .

Café et Petit Fours

Les Vins

Ridgeview Blanc de Blancs 2016

Chassagne-Montrachet 1er Cru

Morgeot, Clos de la Chapelle, Domaine Duc de Magenta 2014

Château Feytit-Clinet, Pomerol 2000

Château Rieussec 1er Grand Cru Classé Sauternes 2007

Taylor’s Vintage Port 1983

Preparations for a State Banquet begin well over a year in advance, but the final ‘build’ of the State Banquet table starts around five days ahead of the arrival of the visiting Head of State.

The operational arm of Buckingham Palace, The Master of the Household’s department, take the main bulk of the responsibility for ensuring the Banquet runs according to plan.

Once the tablecloths have been laid the napkins, folded into a Dutch bonnet shape, are usually the first items to go on the table.

After the Banqueting table is put together, and the decorative display is delivered, unpacked and positioned in place, the final touches are added.

Place settings are measured at exactly 45 centimetres apart. A setting comprises two knives and forks with a dessert spoon and fork above; to the left of each place are a porcelain side plate and a silver butter knife, and a small glass butter dish.

The table length can be adjusted but the usual set-up measures 23 metres (75 ft) by 8.5 metres (28 ft), and is always clothed.

Preparations in the kitchens of Buckingham Palace, meanwhile, begin as close to the event as possible — with every dish handmade from scratch.

The Grand Service comprises not only the dining plate itself, but also decorative items such as dessert stands and centrepieces. Numbering over 4,000 pieces, the service was commissioned by George IV.

The Grand Service includes 14 tureens, 20 sauce tureens, 140 dishes, 288 dinner plates, 118 salts, 12 ice pails, 12 mirrored plateaux, 58 dessert stands and centrepieces and 107 candelabra.

Over a thousand glasses are used at a Banquet – every guest is given six glasses. A further champagne glass for the toasts is also provided.

Each guest also receives a glass finger bowl during the fruit course, usually placed on top of a linen doily and a Tournai porcelain plate.

Every element of the State Banquet is inspected, checked and approved by the monarch, who will also view the table in person before retiring to get dressed.

Around 170 guests are expected, requiring 1,700 pieces of cutlery all laid out using rulers to get the precise spacing measurements correct.

The State Banquet takes place on the first night of a State Visit.

The guests include members of the government, the diplomatic corps, and other figures connected with the visiting nation. The Banquet is both a welcome to the Head of State and a chance to cement diplomatic relations.

Banquets at Buckingham Palace are held in the Ballroom, around a large horseshoe-shaped table, with The King and the visiting Head of State sitting in the centre.

Since 1914 State Banquets in London have traditionally been held in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace.

The King turned to his green credentials as he hosted the first state banquet of his reign by personally requesting only sustainable flowers be used.

In the Buckingham Palace ballroom, the grand horseshoe-shaped table, set for 163 people, was decorated with blooms sourced from the palace gardens and Windsor Castle.

And in a new addition to the traditional floral centrepieces at banquets during the late Queen’s reign, the table was also lined with hundreds of tiny individual stem glass vases, each filled with pink, red and purple flowers.

Cyclamen, nerines, rosehips, anemones, amaryllis, chrysanthemum blooms and hydrangea made up the elaborate display, as well as crab apples sourced from Kent.

The foliage included variegated berried ivy, trailing green ivy, flowering viburnum, mahonia japonica and berried cotoneaster.

A spokesman for the King said: ‘It was the King’s decision to ask for sustainable flowers.

‘They are all seasonal and from the gardens of Windsor and Buckingham Palace. They have not been flown in from around the world.’

Royal attendance last night was fairly thin on the ground by normally standards. The King, Queen Consort, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Earl and Countess of Wessex, the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent were all there.

Several of the Queen’s former retainers were also on the guest list including her ‘No1 Head Girl’, Lady Susan Hussey, and her other former lady-in-waiting, The Honourable Annabel Whitehead. Designer Kelly Hoppen was among the notable faces.

On the top table, seated left to right, was: The Lord Speaker, Baroness Amos, the Prince of Wales, Nabeli Pandar, The Queen Consort, The King, the President of South Africa, the Princess of Wales, His Excellency Mr Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo (the South African High Commissioner), Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Zeinab Badawi (former newsreader now director of the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales).

Earlier today Charles III laid on a Guard of Honour for the South African president before joining him in a golden carriage ride to Buckingham Palace as he held his first state visit as King.

William and Kate were part of events for the first time, travelling to a luxury hotel in central London to meet Cyril Ramaphosa and accompany him to Horse Guards Parade for the start of the ceremonial welcome.

There, the monarch and Queen Consort shook hands with the president at the Royal Pavilion ahead of a glamorous state banquet at the Palace last night.

The South African national anthem played shortly after Mr Ramaphosa’s arrival, while the Guard of Honour gave a Royal Salute.

National figures had gathered in the royal pavilion for the pomp and pageantry of the ceremonial welcome with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak joined by senior members of the Cabinet, as well as the Lord Mayor of London, Nicholas Lyons, and the Defence Chiefs of Staff.

More than 1,000 soldiers and over 230 horses took part in the ceremonial event and waiting on the parade ground were two immaculate lines of Foot Guards from Number 7 Company The Coldstream Guards.

Nearby in their gleaming breast plates and plumed helmets were the Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment – Life Guards and Blues and Royals, commanded by Major Robert Perera of the Blues and Royals.

Mr Ramaphosa then joined Charles and Camilla as well as the Prince and Princess of Wales for a carriage procession along The Mall.

Upon reaching the Palace, they were met by a second Guard of Honour found by 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards, while at the Tower of London, a 62-round gun salute was fired by the Honourable Artillery Company regiment to mark the President’s visit.

Following a private lunch at the Palace, the King invited Mr Ramaphosa to view an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to South Africa.

The President then visited Westminster Abbey, where he will laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior, and took a tour, which included the memorial stone for Nelson Mandela, the South African President between 1994 and 1999.

After that, Mr Ramaphosa went to the Palace of Westminster, where he was welcomed by the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker, before delivering an address in the Royal Gallery to MPs and other guests.

The State Carriage carrying Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa led by a mounted division of the Coldstream Guards makes its way along The Mall

Catherine Princess of Wales during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa this afternoon

The Princess, who has worn the Collingwood earrings on a number of occasions in the past, also wore a brooch which was gifted to Diana from the Queen Mother

William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales travel to Buckingham Palace during a state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III and the Queen Consort, ride in the State Carriage to Buckingham Palace, London

King Charles and The Queen Consort, Camilla, formally welcome the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (pictured) at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade

(left to right) The Queen Consort and the Prince and Princess of Wales as they inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome for President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa’s State Visit to the UK

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa rides with Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort in the Irish State Coach, as they leave from Horse Guards Parade, headed to Buckingham Palace

The Princess of Wales was elegant in an Emilia Wickstead coat dress which she paired with a matching hat as she welcomed South Africa’s President to the UK today

Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and King Charles III travel in State Carriage to Buckingham Palace following the welcome ceremony for the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

The State Carriage carrying Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa led by a mounted division of the Coldstream Guards arrives at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace

The royal mother-of-three was elegant as she welcomed Mr Ramaphosa today, donning the smart burgundy coat dress with a matching Sean Barrett hat and a £495 Mulberry bag

Camilla, Queen Consort, King Charles III and South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa arrive at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace during a state visit

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a photograph of President Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II, displayed as part of the Royal Collection

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a a chess set, which was a gift from President Mandela to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson gestures during a state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Houses of Parliament

King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson looks on during a state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Houses of Parliament

King Charles III, Camilla, Queen Consort and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa view items displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

The royal mother-of-three was elegant as she welcomed Mr Ramaphosa today, donning the smart burgundy coat dress with a matching Sean Barrett hat and a Mulberry bag

Britain’s King Charles and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa attend a ceremonial welcome, during the President’s state visit, at Horse Guards Parade

King Charles III during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa in London this afternoon

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, walks with King Charles III (not pictured) as they inspect a Guard of Honour

Britain’s Prince William, Prince of Wales, (C) and his wife Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales, greet South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) at the Corinthia Hotel in London

President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa shakes hands with King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom

Kate wears Diana’s Prince of Wales Feathers jewel

The Prince of Wales Feathers Pendant was often worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, who is pictured above wearing it as a necklace

The Princess of Wales wore the Prince of Wales Feathers Pendant – a piece often showcased by Diana, Princess of Wales – for her first outing at a state visit in her new title.

The sparkling diamond pendant, which can be worn as a brooch as Kate did on today, is made of 18 round cut diamonds with small emeralds around the three Prince of Wales ostrich feathers, a crown and the motto ‘Ich Dien’ (I Serve).

It is the first time Kate has worn the jewellery, and she chose to do so with its detachable cabochon emerald at the bottom.

Dressed in a regal purple Emilia Wickstead dress and a matching Sean Barrett hat, Kate joined the Prince of Wales as they played a key part in the South African state visit in their new roles.

The Prince of Wales Feathers Pendant was a wedding gift to Princess Alexandra of Denmark from the ‘Ladies of North Wales’ when she married the Prince of Wales, later King Edward VII, in 1863.

It was later given to the Queen Mother and then Diana when she married the then Prince of Wales in 1981.

Kate Middleton wore the pendant as a brooch during her first State Visit as Princess of Wales today

After the private lunch at Buckingham Palace, in which they were joined by other members of the Royal Family, including the the Earl and Countess of Wessex and the Duke of Gloucester.

The seemingly very jovial party was treated to a small exhibition of South African artefacts from the Royal Collection in the Picture Gallery.

It included a bowl given to the late Duke of Edinburgh to mark his attendance of Nelson Mandela’s inauguration as president in 1994 and a letter written by the Queen to welcome South Africa back into the Commonwealth after 33 years.

There was also a stunning chess set given to the duke by President Mandela when he visited London in 1996, the first by a South African head of state.

It features two tribes – the Zulus and the Ndebele – in place of the traditional black and white pieces.

‘This is rather wonderful,’ the King told the president proudly.

A photograph of the then Prince of Wales with President Mandela and the Spice Girls in South Africa in 1997 also caught the President’s eye. ‘Ah, there you are,’ he said with evident delight.

When Mr Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the Queen with former president Mr Mandela during a 1996 Buckingham Palace state banquet, he said: ‘This lovely picture,’ and agreed when the King replied: ‘You were lucky to have known both.’

Many of the visiting delegation seemed particularly pleased to see pictures of the late Queen dotted around the exhibition. ‘I was there for that!’ exclaimed the South African foreign minister.

The late Queen had a particular affinity for the country after choosing it as the venue for her keynote 21st birthday speech in which she famously devoted her life to the service of others.

Former President Donald Trump’s state visit in 2019 was the most recent by a world leader but his welcome was staged in the gardens of Buckingham Palace, so the official visit by King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands in 2019 was the last time a full ceremonial welcome was staged on Horse Guards Parade.

Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of Headquarters Household Division, who delivered the military ceremonial spectacle, said: ‘The state visit is a historic first: our first state visit for His Majesty the King and the President of South Africa, the first state visit in London since 2019, the first processional state visit on Horse Guards since 2018, and the first for almost everyone on parade.’

He added: ‘A huge amount of work has gone into preparing for the visit and we are very proud to support such an important national occasion.’

Climate change, trade and Charles’s vision for the Commonwealth are expected to be on the agenda during Mr Ramaphosa’s two-day visit.

South Africa is the UK’s biggest trading partner on the continent with trade between both countries worth £10.7billion annually.

However, despite the wealth of pomp and pageantry on display, the visit risks being clouded by events in South Africa, where Ramaphosa risks impeachment for allegedly failing to report a major raid at his luxury farmhouse which saw raiders take £3.4million in cash.

It comes as Prime Minister Rishi Sunak today announced the UK and South Africa will join forces to ‘turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together’.

The next phase of the UK-South Africa Infrastructure Partnership is being launched today, supporting South Africa’s economic growth through major infrastructure developments and offering increased access to UK companies to projects worth up to £5.37 billion over the next three years, said Downing Street.

Mr Sunak said: ‘South Africa is already the UK’s biggest trading partner on the continent, and we have ambitious plans to turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together.

‘I look forward to welcoming President Ramaphosa to London this week to discuss how we can deepen the partnership between our two great nations and capitalise on shared opportunities, from trade and tourism and security and defence.’

The two-day state visit will see a series of firsts for the royal family who will take part in events over the coming two days as they host their guest Mr Ramaphosa.

South Africa’s High Commissioner, Jeremiah Nyamane Mamabolo, hailed the importance of the state visit after speaking to the King a few weeks ago when Charles visited an exhibition of South African fashion in London.

Mr Mamabolo, who is expected to be among the state banquet guests, said: ‘The important thing is that the King has focused for his first visit, to be with Africa, South Africa, and the Commonwealth.’

King Charles III shakes hands with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak at Horse Guards Parade in London, ahead of the arrival of President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa for a State Visit to the UK

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) is greeted by Britain’s King Charles III and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (L) walks with Britain’s King Charles III as they inspect a Guard of Honour during a Ceremonial Welcome on Horse Guards Parade

(left to right) the Prince and Princess of Wales arrive as President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa, King Charles III and the Queen Consort look on before they inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome for his State Visit to the UK

South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa and Britain’s King Charles III inspect a Guard of Honour, formed by Number 7 Company Coldstream Guards, during a Ceremonial Welcome on Horse Guards Parade in London

Charles III has arrived at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade as he prepares to welcome South African president Cyril Ramaphosa for his first state visit as monarch

Camilla, Queen Consort during the State Visit of the President of the Republic of South Africa

The King and The Queen Consort formally welcome The President at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak during the ceremonial welcome for the State Visit to the UK by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly (left) and Prime Minister Rishi Sunak attend the ceremonial welcome for the State Visit to the UK by the South African President Cyril Ramaphosa

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary Suella Braverman were also present for the event on Horse Guards Parade

British Secretary of State for the Home Department Suella Braverman looks on during a state visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at the Houses of Parliament

Mr Ramaphosa was Jacob Zuma’s deputy in 2014 and gained the presidency in 2018.

But he is currently fighting for his political life and facing calls to resign as the deeply divided ruling party African National Congress (ANC) is to hold a vote on its leadership in December.

A scandal in which Ramaphosa is accused of concealing a multi-million dollar cash theft has piled pressure on him.

He faces an accusation that he failed to report a heist at his luxury cattle farmhouse in which robbers took $4million (£3.4m) in cash and instead organised for the robbers to be kidnapped and bribed into silence.

The president has acknowledged a burglary but denies kidnapping and bribery, saying he reported the break-in to the police.

A panel appointed by South Africa’s parliament is set to determine whether to impeach him.

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