Yoon, first lady receive ceremonial welcome from King Charles III, Queen Camilla

▲ South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (2nd from L) and his wife Kim Keon Hee (L), alongside King Charles III (3rd from L) and Queen Camilla (4th from L), attend a welcome ceremony for the South Korean leader at Horse Guards Parade in London on Nov. 21, 2023, during his state visit to Britain to celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations. (Yonhap)

▲ South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (R), accompanied by King Charles III, rides in a horse-drawn carriage en route to Buckingham Palace after attending a welcome ceremony for the South Korean leader at Horse Guards Parade in London on Nov. 21, 2023, during his state visit to Britain to celebrate 140 years of diplomatic relations. (Yonhap)

Yoon-Buckingham Palace

Yoon, first lady receive ceremonial welcome from King Charles III, Queen Camilla

By Lee Haye-ah

LONDON, Nov. 21 (Yonhap) -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee received a ceremonial welcome from King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they began their state visit to Britain on Tuesday.

The ceremony began with Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, arriving at Yoon and Kim's hotel in London to travel with them to Horse Guards Parade, where the official welcome took place amid a 41-gun salute and an inspection of the Guard of Honor.

The king and the queen greeted the president and the first lady at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade, before King Charles introduced palace and government officials to Yoon.

Yoon could also be seen shaking hands and exchanging greetings with British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

The ceremony was followed by a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace.

Yoon and King Charles rode in a golden carriage along The Mall, joined only by their interpreters.

Kim and Queen Camilla rode in a carriage behind them, followed by five more carriages carrying Prince William and his wife, as well as the president's entourage.

The road to Buckingham Palace was lined with the South Korean and British national flags, while people gathered on the sides to watch the royal event.

At the palace, King Charles was to host a private lunch for Yoon and Kim, followed by an exchange of gifts and a viewing of an exhibition of items related to South Korea from the Royal Collection.

Yoon and the first lady are Britain's first state guests since the king's coronation in May.

(END)

(C) Yonhap News Agency. All Rights Reserved