Britain's King Charles III charmed Japan's Emperor Naruhito and royal watchers around the globe when he charmingly mentioned his grandchildren while praising the Japanese monarch.
"I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing," His Majesty shared when mentioning his 40-year relationship with Naruhito. "The Pokémon phrase 'gotta catch em all' may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me, it is, perhaps, aspirational!"
Prince William was in attendance for the grand occasion in the Buckingham Palace ballroom and reportedly grinned when his father mentioned his grandkids.
"There was a little smile from William at the mention of Pokemon and grandchildren," royal expert Rebecca English wrote on X.
The Emperor and his wife, Empress Masako, were in Britain on a three-day state visit that was originally set to occur in 2020, one year after the imperial ruler's accession to the Chrysanthemum throne. The long-awaited trip was postponed due to COVID-19 but kicked off Tuesday, June 25, with a carriage procession from Horse Guards Parade. Queen Camilla debuted her husband's long-awaited official family order broch that she wore on top of Queen Elizabeth II's old order.
Her Majesty and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, wore the glittering Burmese Ruby Tiara (a rumored favorite of the Queen's) and the 1923 Lotus Flower Tiara, respectively.
The charming moment comes amid news that Charles III may travel to America sometime this year to visit his Sussex grandchildren in Montecito, Calif. The trip, if reports are to be believed, has been called a potentially "massive security operation of the highest caliber and precedent."
"There is no doubt if it goes ahead he would build in time to visit his youngest son and his grandchildren, but there are mountains of planning to be overcome before that becomes even a remote possibility," royal author Tom Quinn said of the potential visit.
"It's certainly possible that he would make a discreet private visit to Harry and the children in California," he added. "He is desperate to see them and hates the idea that Archie and Lily will not remember him as the warm friendly grandfather he wants to be."
The reason for such a trip would likely have to tie into some major trip the monarch was already undertaking, a royal insider pointed out. "Perhaps as a brief detour before or after the King and Queen leave Australia and/or New Zealand later this year," they observed.
Their Majesties are reported to be considering a "reduced" trip down under this autumn in a long-awaited Coronation visit cut from two weeks to just six days now that the monarch is fighting cancer.
Daily Express reported on English's remarks.