As soon as I saw the news that the Duchess of Edinburgh wore the Lotus Flower Tiara to the state banquet for Japan’s emperor and empress, I knew that something shady happened behind the scenes. As I explained yesterday, once a royal woman wears a specific tiara to a state occasion, that tiara is associated with that royal for years, at least that’s how it was during Queen Elizabeth’s reign. QEII was stingy with tiaras, and Sophie was basically only allowed to borrow two aquamarine-and-diamond tiaras during QEII’s reign. Then, suddenly, Sophie turns up in the Lotus Flower Tiara, a piece which has been worn multiple times by the Princess of Wales? A message is being sent. As I said yesterday, it felt like Sophie’s whole suite of jewelry was supposed to be for Kate too, not just the tiara, but the necklace and earrings too. The whole jewelry look was very “Kate.” Well, here’s something equally weird: out of nowhere, Sophie skipped a dinner last night (Wednesday night) for the Japanese emperor and empress.
The Duchess of Edinburgh skipped Wednesday evening’s banquet with the Japanese Emperor, despite her expected attendance. Naruhito, the Emperor of Japan, was expected to be joined by Prince Edward and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh for a Banquet at the Guildhall on Wednesday evening.
However, only the Duke of Edinburgh, 60, was in attendance to represent the British Royal Family.
The Banquet at the Guildhall was held by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor and the Japanese Emperor are both expected to make speeches at the end of the banquet.
It is unknown why Sophie, 59, was not present at the event despite her expected attendance.
GB News has approached Buckingham Palace for comment.
Prince Edward was photographed beside Emperor Naruhito, the Lord Mayor of London Michael Mainelli, and his wife Elisabeth Mainelli at the banquet.
If the point of the jewelry was that Sophie was the second-highest-ranked British royal woman at the state banquet, why did she then skip the event the next night which would have seen her as the highest-ranked British woman? Was there a fight behind the scenes over tiaras? Did someone not want the image of Sophie, decked out in more jewels, representing the family at this second dinner? What’s really going on? The Edinburghs have really entered the “something really weird is going down with the Windsors” chat.
I should also say this: this Guildhall dinner sounds exactly like the kind of event which should have been assigned to the heir. This is exactly the kind of thing Charles used to do when he was Prince of Wales. I hope Emperor Naruhito wasn’t offended that he only got one relatively low-ranked prince at this dinner.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red.
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- Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh centre, arrives for the Order of the Garter service, which is held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, June 17, 2024. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool),Image: 882372575, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Pool, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon
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- Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, and her husband Prince Edward wave at the crowds after the attended the Order of the Garter service, which is held at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, in Windsor, England, Monday, June 17, 2024. The Order of the Garter is the oldest and most senior British Order of Chivalry, established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, Pool),Image: 882392246, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Pool, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon
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Image Licensed to i-Images Picture Agency. 17/06/2024. Windsor , United Kingdom. Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh , leaving the Garter Day service at Windsor Castle,United Kingdom.,Image: 882397070, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Licenced to i-Images Picture Agency. All Rights Reserved. UK copyright law applies to all print & online publications. i-Images space rates apply to all images.
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Tel: 07860204379, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Stephen Lock / i-Images / Avalon
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- Camera Press Rota 04604421. The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh and Prince William attend the Garter Ceremony at Windsor Castle.,Image: 882605140, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Camera Press Rota, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: David Dyson / Avalon
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- London, UK, 25 June 2024: Queen Camilla, King Charles III, Japanese Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako at the state visit banquet in Buckingham Palace in London.,Image: 884662929, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Victoria Jones/Shutterstock / Avalon
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- London, UK, 25 June 2024: Britain’s King Charles III, right with Japan’s Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and Queen Camilla pose for the cameras ahead of the State Banquet during the State Visit to Britain of the Japanese Emperor and Empress in Buckingham Palace in London.,Image: 884675869, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: Pool, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty Wigglesworth / Avalon
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Ms Julia Longbottom, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Edinburgh and H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone make their way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace, London, as part of their state visit to the UK. Picture date: Tuesday June 25, 2024. .
NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 884750370, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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Ms Julia Longbottom, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Edinburgh and H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone make their way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace, London, as part of their state visit to the UK. Picture date: Tuesday June 25, 2024. .
NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 884750370, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
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Ms Julia Longbottom, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Duchess of Edinburgh and H.E. Mr. Hirofumi Nakasone make their way along the East Gallery to attend the State Banquet for Emperor Naruhito and his wife Empress Masako of Japan at Buckingham Palace, London, as part of their state visit to the UK. Picture date: Tuesday June 25, 2024. .
NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS,Image: 884750370, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: NO UK USE FOR 48 HOURS- Fee Payable Upon reproduction – For queries contact Avalon [email protected] London 44 20 7421 6000 Los Angeles 1 310 822 0419 Berlin 49 30 76 212 251 Madrid 34 91 533 42 89, *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Avalon.red / Avalon
