King Charles makes Pokémon joke as he delivers speech during Japanese state banquet

26 June 2024, 13:30 | Updated: 26 June 2024, 13:34

Charles and Camilla with the Japanese emperor and empress
Charles and Camilla with the Japanese emperor and empress. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Emma Soteriou

King Charles joked about Pokémon during his speech at the Japanese state banquet on Tuesday evening.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Charles and Camilla welcomed Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako to the UK earlier in the day, marking the start of their three-day visit.

The trip, which was previously postponed due to the pandemic, was "slightly adapted" due to the upcoming General Election.

On Tuesday evening, the leaders gathered for a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, with Camilla seen stepping out wearing the King's new Family Order for the first time.

The banquet rounded off the first day of the state visit
The banquet rounded off the first day of the state visit. Picture: Alamy
The state visit will last for three days.
The state visit will last for three days. Picture: Getty

Delivering a speech at the banquet, Charles made references to Hello Kitty and Pokémon - two popular Japanese cartoon characters.

He reflected on times he had been fly fishing with the emperor, saying: "I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing.

"The Pokémon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational."

He also wished a “very happy” 50th birthday to Hello Kitty.

Read more: Japanese emperor and empress meet with Royals - after Emperor Naruhito studied his life's passion The Thames barrier

Read more: King Charles sends 'fondest love’ to Princess Anne who will ‘quickly bounce back’ after being hit by horse

Charles delivered a speech at the banquet.
Charles delivered a speech at the banquet. Picture: Getty
Charles with the emperor.
Charles with the emperor. Picture: Getty

“Even our hobbies have shared roots,” the King went on to say, explaining that British walkers helped introduce mountain climbing in Japan.

“This is a passion which many British and Japanese now have in common – not least, at an individual level, Your Majesty and myself.”

Among the guests at the banquet were PM Rishi Sunak, Labour leader Keir Starmer and Lib Dem leader Sir Ed Davey.

Rishi Sunak at the event.
Rishi Sunak at the event. Picture: Alamy
Keir Starmer and his wife at the banquet
Keir Starmer and his wife at the banquet. Picture: Alamy

The emperor and his wife arrived at Stansted Airport on Saturday and carried out several private engagements before meeting the royals.

They visited the Thames Flood Barrier on Monday, with the river being one of the emperor's life-long passions.

As a student at Oxford University in the 1980s, his research focused on water transport on the River Thames in the 18th century.

He went on to write a memoir in the 90s called The Thames And I.

Sir Ed Davey at the state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife
Sir Ed Davey at the state banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife. Picture: Alamy

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

People continue their daily life under difficult conditions at Jabalia Refugee Camp, located in the north of the Gaza Strip, as they struggle to survive among the rubble of buildings destroyed by Israeli attacks

Judge lets Gazan family settle in UK under scheme for Ukrainian refugees, sparking fears of 'floodgates opening'

John Tuckett

Labour's new borders watchdog 'to work from home in Finland', 1,200 miles from London

President Donald Trump speaks with Jordan's King Abdullah II in the Oval Office at the White House, Tuesday, Feb. 11, 2025, in Washington. (Photo/Alex Brandon)

Trump doubles down on pledge to 'take over Gaza', as Netanyahu threatens return to war if Israeli hostages not freed

The Princess of Wales, Patron of Action for Children, during a visit to a mother and baby unit inside HMP Styal in Wilmslow

Kate met with wolf-whistles and cries for 'more funding' as she visits women's prison

Domestic cat balancing on garden fence, Bavaria, Germany, Europe

Police hunt mystery cat coiffeur after felines in rural Lincolnshire village return home missing patches of fur

Liam Payne and Maya Henry

Liam Payne 'smoked heroin and sexted fans': Bombshell revelations as ex-fiancee breaks silence on star's death

Exclusive
Bridget Phillipson has said Yvette Cooper will 'make sure' vetting of Metropolitan Police officers is 'overhauled'

Home secretary will ensure 'overhaul' of Met vetting process following controversial High Court ruling, Phillipson says

Exclusive
James Cleverly

James Cleverly slams 'Orwellian' assisted dying bill as High Court judge sign-off to be scrapped

The Church of England's governing body has voted against a fully independent safeguarding body

Church of England vote 'a punch in the gut for victims' as Synod rejects independent safeguarding

Oliver Ryan and Andrew Gwynne have been suspended

Eleven Labour councillors suspended for being part of offensive WhatsApp group after two MPs also punished

A major travel agent has urged families to go on holiday during Easter rather than the summer

Save thousands by going on holiday at Easter instead of summer, British families told

Benjamin Netanyahu has threatened to tear up the ceasefire deal

Netanyahu’s ultimatum to Hamas: Return hostages by Saturday deadline or ceasefire gives way to 'intense fighting'

Sir Alex Ferguson and Wayne Rooney were in attendance at Denis Law's funeral

Stars pay final respects to Denis Law as Manchester United legend laid to rest

Strangers bar is to reopen following spiking allegation

MPs bar to reopen with extra security after spiking claims

The bodies of Andrew Searle and his wife Dawn were discovered by a neighbour

Post-mortem results reveal fatal injuries of British couple found dead at home in rural French village

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker

Salman Rushdie gives evidence in court as author gives evidence against alleged knife attacker