Their Majesties The Emperor and Empress of Japan will make an official visit to the United Kingdom from May 27th to 29th. The visit is in response to an invitation extended by the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to His Majesty, an honorary member of the Linnean Society of London, and to Her Majesty, to attend a ceremony of Carl Linnaeus Tercentenary Anniversary Celebrations. It reflects the warm friendship between Japan and the United Kingdom as well as the long history of cordial ties and active exchange between the Imperial Family of Japan and the Royal Family of the United Kingdom.
Before travelling to the United Kingdom, Their Majesties will make official visits to the Kingdom of Sweden, the Republic of Estonia, the Republic of Latvia and the Republic of Lithuania. Their Majesties will leave Japan on May 21st and arrive back in Japan on May 30th.
At the event in honour of Carl Linnaeus, His Majesty will make a keynote speech. In the course of his official duties, His Majesty The Emperor has for many years conducted research into goby fish. Moreover, as a member of the Ichthyological Society of Japan, he has produced a number of papers published in the Society��s journal.
As well as taking part in that event, Their Majesties will attend a dinner hosted by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace and a luncheon hosted by The Rt Hon the Lord Patten of Barnes, CH, the Chancellor of the University of Oxford, at Trinity College. While in Oxford, they will also visit Helen & Douglas House. The official visit by Their Majesties should serve to strengthen still further the already excellent relations between Japan and the United Kingdom.
Notes
The Linnean Society of London
The Society is a traditional academic organisation devoted to natural history, established in 1788 on the occasion of the purchase of the Linnean biological collection and library. It enjoys deep ties with the British Royal Family. In 1980 His Majesty was accepted as a foreign member and in 1986 he became an honorary member of the Society.
The University of Oxford
The Imperial Family has longstanding links with the University of Oxford. Crown Prince Naruhito, Crown Princess Masako, Prince Akishino and Prince Tomohito all previously studied there, and Princess Akiko (the elder daughter of Prince Tomohito) is currently pursuing her studies at Merton College.
Helen & Douglas House
Helen House, the world��s first hospice for children, was established in Oxford in November 1982. It cares for children with life-shortening conditions from birth to 18. Douglas House, which was opened in February 2004, is for young people between the ages of 16 and 40. In April 2005, Sister Frances Dominica, who founded the charity, visited Japan with some of the children and young people, where they had the opportunity to meet Her Majesty The Empress. This year Helen & Douglas House is celebrating its 25th anniversary.
|
