The Best Photos from Emperor Naruhito's Enthronement Ceremony in Japan's Imperial Palace
The Best Photos from Emperor Naruhito's Enthronement Ceremony in Japan's Imperial Palace
Today, Japan's first enthronement ceremony in three decades took place. Representatives from nearly 200 countries, including members of many royal families, flew in to celebrate Emperor Naruhito's accession to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
The event comes after the 85-year-old Emperor Akihito abdicated the throne this past April, ending his 30-year reign. Akihito was the first Japanese emperor to abdicate in 200 years, making way for the then-Crown Prince Naruhito and his wife Crown Princess Masako to acceed.
Here, all the photos from the historic ceremony.
Inside the ceremonial hall.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako during the ceremony in which the emperor officially proclaims his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne.
Crown Prince Akishino attends the ceremony.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako.
Foreign dignitaries and government representatives watch the ceremony.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito speaks. Prime Minister Shinzo Abe stands before him.
The ceremony at the Imperial Palace is called Sokuirei-Seiden-no-gi.
Japan's Empress Masako during the ceremony.
Princess Mako, the Emperor's daughter and only child, attends the enthronement ceremony.
Japan's Empress Masako leaves at the end of the enthronement. ceremony.
Japanese dignitaries and government representatives raise their arms giving a banzai cheer during the enthronement ceremony.
"Banzai" translates to "10,000 years of life," and "long live the Emperor."
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark and Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito.
Britain's Prince Charles and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attend the enthronement ceremony.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, and the Emir of Qatar
At the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia
Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf (far left) and his daughter Crown Princess Victoria (center).
We will update with the identity of the guest on the far right when we are able to confirm it.
To the left of King Carl Gustaf sat Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
The Imperial Palace in Tokyo
Attendants chant "Banzai" during the enthronement ceremony
Japanese Emperor Naruhito leaves the ceremony hall after proclaiming his enthronement at the Imperial Palace.
Emperor Naruhito's brother Crown Prince Akishino
Akishino, in orange, leaves the ceremony hall with Crown Princess Akishino (rear) after his brother proclaimed his enthronement at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Because Naruhito's daughter, his only child, cannot inherit the throne, Akishino is the heir to the throne, followed by his 13-year-old son Hisahito.
Empress Masako
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium
Royals arrive to attend the Enthronement Ceremony of Emperor Naruhito at the Imperial Palace.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark
Sweden's King Carl XVI Gustaf and Crown Princess Victoria
King Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah and Queen Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah of Malaysia arrive
President Khaltmaagiin Battulga of Mongolia.
Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao represented the United States.
The Best Photos from Emperor Naruhito's Enthronement Ceremony in Japan's Imperial Palace
People gathered outside the Palace in Tokyo to watch a live broadcast of the ceremony.
President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, and his wife Desislava Radeva
Dignitaries leave following the Enthronement Ceremony.
President of Poland, Andrzej Duda, and his wife Agata Kornhauser-Duda.
President of Afghanistan, Ashraf Ghani, and his wife Rula Ghani.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako travel to the banquet.
Following the ceremony at Akasaka Palace, the Emperor, Empress, and their guests attended a court banquet at the Imperial Palace.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain arrive at the banquet.
Like many other royals, Letizia put on a stunning tiara for the reception.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands
Prince Charles arrives at the banquet.
Maldives President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih and his wife Fazna Ahmed.
King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium.
The Prime Minister of Thailand, Prayut Chan-o-cha, and his wife, Naraporn Chan-ocha.
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark.
King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema of Bhutan.
Guests take their seats.
Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako, inside the court banquet.
Naruhito proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne, and royals from around the world have come to celebrate.