King Charles on Tuesday formally welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to the UK, after he was first welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
🇬🇧 🤝 🇿🇦
A pleasure to welcome President @CyrilRamaphosa to the UK pic.twitter.com/1MdU7VqoRW
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) November 22, 2022
“The President of the Republic of South Africa has been formally welcomed to the UK by The King and The Queen Consort at Horse Guards Parade,” reads a tweet by the royal family.
The President of the Republic of South Africa has been formally welcomed to the UK by The King and The Queen Consort at Horse Guards Parade.#UKSAStateVisit 🇬🇧🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/c6sVChVyfK
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 22, 2022
President Ramaphosa arrived in the UK on Monday. Prince William and Kate officially welcomed him at the Corinthia Hotel on Tuesday morning before heading to his welcome ceremony at Horse Guards, where he met Charles and Queen Camilla.
[WELCOME CEREMONY]: His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa welcomed by His Majesty King Charles III to Horse Guards, London on the occasion of his State Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland #SAinUK 🇿🇦🇬🇧 #BetterAfricaBetterWorld 🌍 pic.twitter.com/H8vZan3sRq
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 22, 2022
Accompanied by the king, the president inspected a Guard of Honour before joining the Carriage Procession to Buckingham Palace.
The trio arrived at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace, where a grand banquet was held in the president’s honour.
This evening, The King and The Queen Consort are hosting a State Banquet, on behalf of the Nation, for the President of the Republic of South Africa. 🇿🇦
Their Majesties are pictured alongside His Excellency in the Music Room at Buckingham Palace. pic.twitter.com/nGDOyV98gt— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 22, 2022
A 62-round gun salute was just been fired by the HAC Regiment from the Tower of London to mark the king’s first state visit of his reign.
The Presidency of South Africa shared the moment on Twitter , marking the first state visit by a South African president in 12 years.
Ramaphosa also shared a video of his welcoming ceremony on his personal Twitter account.
State Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland #SAinUK 🇿🇦🇬🇧 https://t.co/3YQ2JSbu8W
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 22, 2022
During his two-day visit, Ramaphosa will also 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 also addressed lawmakers in parliament and will meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Addressing the Joint Sitting of the British Parliament #SAinUK 🇿🇦🇬🇧 https://t.co/oiItGHP7Iy
— Cyril Ramaphosa 🇿🇦 (@CyrilRamaphosa) November 22, 2022
His Excellency President @CyrilRamaphosa delivers an address to the Joint Sitting of the British Parliament in the Palace of Westminster in London during the occasion of his State Visit to the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.#SAinUK 🇿🇦🇬🇧 pic.twitter.com/ov3hf1rFnt
— Presidency | South Africa 🇿🇦 (@PresidencyZA) November 22, 2022
News24