November 23, 2022
2 mins read

King Charles welcomes Ramaphosa for first state visit

Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and see the memorial stone for former South African President Nelson Mandela…reports Asian Lite News

King Charles has hosted his first state visit since becoming British monarch, welcoming South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace.

Charles, 74, rolled out the traditional pomp and ceremony on Tuesday for the first time as head of state, as Britain seeks to bolster its relations with its biggest trading partner in Africa.

Ramaphosa and his wife were officially greeted by Charles’s eldest son and heir Prince William and his wife Kate at a central London hotel to mark the start of his two-day trip, the first state visit to the UK by a world leader since that of former United States President Donald Trump and his wife Melania in 2019.

Gun salutes and a ceremonial welcome from the king and his wife Camilla, the queen consort, followed before a grand carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where a banquet will be held later in the president’s honour.

Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and see the memorial stone for former South African President Nelson Mandela.

He will also address lawmakers in Parliament and meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

Britain hopes the visit, which had been planned before the death of Queen Elizabeth in September, will strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations, and show the importance of links with the Commonwealth of Nations, the international organisation that Charles now heads.

“This is a reinforcement of the strong bilateral relationship that we have with South Africa, a real opportunity to build on that close working relationship and discuss some of the issues that affect us all,” British Foreign Minister James Cleverly told Reuters news agency.

The last state visit to Britain by a South African leader was that of President Jacob Zuma in 2010, when he was met by Charles and Camilla at the start of the trip.

ALSO READ-UAE seeking to enable SMEs enter global markets: Al Marri

Previous Story

More rail strikes to disrupt travel in Dec and Jan

Next Story

Fauci laments impact of political divisiveness on Covid response

Latest from -Top News

Afghanistan Offline: 72 Hours of Chaos

Afghanistan restores internet after three-day blackout; humanitarian aid, trade, and banking resume slowly, while UN warns repeated disruptions threaten recovery and livelihoods for millions of citizens. Internet and telecom services were partially

Over 1,000 lives lost in Pak floods

Pakistan’s floods kill over 1,000, hit agriculture and supply chains; economy shows resilience amid devastation, while Karachi experiences minor earthquake, raising fears in already-stricken areas. Pakistan continues to grapple with one of

Great Soybean Standoff

Trump’s planned meeting with Xi links soybean trade disputes to wider US-China tensions, as American military officials warn of growing threats from both Beijing and Pyongyang….reports Asian Lite News US President Donald

Khadi spirit spins on

From Gandhi’s visit in 1920 to Prime Minister Modi’s call for Swadeshi today, Mahoba’s weavers show how khadi continues to weave empowerment, pride and self-reliance….reports Asian Lite News In the dusty lanes

US urged to deepen defence ties with India

Heritage Foundation expert urges US to deepen defence cooperation with India, share naval intelligence, support drone industry, and avoid domestic criticism to counter China’s rising influence in Indo-Pacific….reports Asian Lite News A
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Ramaphosa unveils new coalition cabinet

Following intense negotiations, South African President has appointed opposition politicians

Ramaphosa re-elected South African president

The 71-year-old Ramaphosa secured his second term with the help