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Announcement of the UK State Visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
The British High Commission in Pretoria welcomes the news that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a State Visit to the UK.
The British High Commission in Pretoria has welcomed the news that South African President Cyril Ramaphosa will pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom to meet The King and The Queen Consort.
This is the first invitation of a State Visit made by His Majesty King Charles III.
British High Commissioner to South Africa, Antony Phillipson said:
I am delighted that President Cyril Ramaphosa, accompanied by Dr Tshepo Motsepe, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty King Charles III to pay a State Visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday, 22 November to Thursday, 24 November 2022. The King and The Queen Consort will host the State Visit at Buckingham Palace. This will be the first State Visit hosted by His Majesty. It reflects the importance of the relationship between South Africa and the United Kingdom. The visit will offer a chance to celebrate our modern-day partnerships delivering prosperity and security for both countries, as well as to set out how we can work together bilaterally and globally to strengthen those links for the future.
Over the next few weeks the British High Commission will work closely with the Presidency, the Department for International Relations and Cooperation, and the South African government to finalise the details of the President’s State Visit.
His Majesty The King has visited South Africa on a number of occasions. His Majesty’s first visit was to Pretoria, Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town from 31 October to 5 November 1997. The King and The Queen Consort also visited Pretoria and Johannesburg from 2 to 6 November 2011. The King and Queen Consort also attended the funeral of President Nelson Mandela on 15 December 2013.
Her Late Majesty The Queen invited President Nelson Mandela to pay a State Visit to the UK in July 1996. She also invited President Thabo Mbeki to pay a State Visit to the UK in June 2001, and President Jacob Zuma to pay a State Visit to the UK in March 2010.
The press release from Buckingham Palace announcing the State Visit can be found here: Announcement of the State Visit by the President of South Africa ( PDF , 156 KB , 2 pages ) .
Further details of the State Visit programme will be announced in due course.
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Prince William and Kate play major role in first state visit of King Charles' reign - best photos
President cyril ramaphosa is in london.
The Prince and Princess of Wales greeted President Cyril Ramaphosa on behalf of King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla on Tuesday.
This state visit is the first for King Charles as monarch as he welcomes the president of South Africa to the UK. The special two-day occasion sees Prince William and Princess Kate step up to play a major part in the important diplomatic event .
WATCH: Prince William and Kate welcome South African President Cyril Ramaphosa
The royal couple greeted the president at his London hotel on behalf of the King, travelled with him to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremonial welcome with King Charles, and joined the carriage procession back to the Palace.
MORE: Why Princess Kate won't wear Diana's iconic tiara at first banquet as Princess of Wales
The South African First Lady, Dr Tshepo Motsepe, did not accompany the president on the trip. She is said to be recovering from eye surgery and was advised by doctors not to travel.
The royal couple have greeted President Cyril Ramaphosa
For the appearance, Princess Kate looked immaculate for the poignant occasion, braving the chilly autumn weather in an elegant tailored coat.
MORE: 10 times Princess Kate dazzled in show-stopping tiaras
The royal's silhouette-skimming coat was crafted from rich burgundy wool, which she paired perfectly with sleek pointed-toe heels and the Princess of Wales' feather brooch - a royal heirloom gifted to the late Princess Diana when she married Prince Charles in 1981.
Prince William and Kate with President Cyril Ramaphosa
The 40-year-old royal's enviable brunette tresses were styled in loose curls that framed her pretty features, cascading past her shoulders under a chic pillbox hat adorned with an oversized bow.
Following the greeting, Prince William and Kate tweeted: "A pleasure to welcome President @CyrilRamaphosa to the UK."
READ: Damage to King Charles' Balmoral estate revealed in warning to visitors
Princess Kate looked immaculate for the poignant occasion
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.
The Princess of Wales seen stepping out of her car
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.
President Cyril Ramaphosa greeted by King Charles and the Queen Consort
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.
King Charles shook hands with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak
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."
The party inspect a Guard of Honour during the ceremonial welcome
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."
King Charles and President Cyril Ramaphosa attend the Horse Guards Parade
The visit was marked by the Prime Minister announcing the UK and South Africa will join forces to "turbocharge infrastructure investment and economic growth together".
The King later hosted the president at a private lunch at Buckingham Palace
On his return from Horse Guards, the King, 74, hosted the president at a private lunch at Buckingham Palace and then invited him to view an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection relating to South Africa.
The King hosted the president at a private lunch at Buckingham Palace
At Buckingham Palace, the Prince and Princess of Wales arrived in the second carriage – the Australian State Coach – with Dr Naledi Pandor, the South African Minister of International Relations.
The Princess of Wales arrived in the second carriage
William headed to the Grand Entrance first, followed by Kate, who walked behind, before the pair stopped to wait for Dr Pandor, with Kate smiling at their guest before accompanying her through the main door of the royal residence.
Camilla, Charles and Cyril arrive at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace
In the Buckingham Palace Picture Gallery after lunch, the King and Queen Consort showed the South African president around an exhibition of Royal Collection artefacts.
Cyril Ramaphosa picked up a photograph of the late Queen side by side with Mr Mandela at the state banquet in the Palace in 1996, saying: "This lovely picture." The King remarked, "You were lucky to have known both," with the president agreeing.
The King and Queen Consort showed the South African president around the exhibition
The president later said the words, "Welcome Back," out loud with a smile as he looked at the late Queen's message to Nelson Mandela upon South Africa re-joining the Commonwealth in 1994.
The congratulatory phrase featured in the message from the late Queen. Charles also showed the president a letter written by the Queen to President Mandela in 1995, adding: "Here's a copy of the letter." Mr Ramaphosa remarked: "Oh yes, yes 1995."
Mr Ramaphosa was shown a letter by the Queen to Nelson Mandela
Ahead of the visit, the official Twitter account for the royal family tweeted: "Looking forward to welcoming @PresidencyZA today!
" The Royal Family will celebrate their enduring relationship with South Africa over the next two days, as His Majesty The King hosts The President on behalf of the Nation."
South African flags and Union Jacks decorate The Mall ahead of the state visit
Prince William and Princess Kate are later expected to attend the white tie banquet on Tuesday evening, with Kate and the Queen Consort wearing tiaras . Both the King and the president will make speeches.
The visit follows the traditional format adopted during the reign of the late Queen .
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