Prince Charles, European royals attend Japanese Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony

<strong><a href="/tags/0/prince-charles">Prince Charles</a></strong>, European royals, heads of state from around the world and other dignitaries attended the enthronment ceremony for new Japanese <strong><a href="/tags/0/emperor-naruhito">Emperor Naruhito</a></strong> on Oct. 22. <p>Naruhito officially declared his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne in a ceremony that follows the abdication of his father Akihito earlier this year. <p><strong>Click through the gallery (or keep reading if you're on mobile) to see the best photos from his ceremony and the banquet that followed!</strong> <p>Photo: &copy; Akio Kon/Pool/Getty Images
Japan's Crown Prince <strong>Akishino</strong> (right), his wife Crown Princess <strong>Kiko</strong> (second right) and other members of the imperial family arrived at the Imperial Palace sanctuaries where <strong><a href="emperor-naruhito">Emperor Naruhito </a></strong> was set to report the proclamation of his ascension to the throne in Tokyo on Oct. 22. <p>Photo: &copy; Str/Jiji Press/Getty Images
Naruhito then arrived into the Kashikodokoro sanctuary to report the proclamation of his ascension to the throne to sun goddess in the ancient royal dynasty. It is part of an ancient ritual that has taken place at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo for centuries. <p>Photo: &copy; STR/Japan Pool via Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images
He was followed by <strong><a href="/tags/0/empress-masako">Empress Masako</a></strong>. <p>Photo: &copy; STR/Japan Pool via Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images
Norway's <Strong><a href="/tags/0/crown-prince-haakon">Crown Prince Haakon</a></strong> was among the first royals to arrive. <p>Photo: &copy; Pool/Getty Images
<strong><a href="/tags/0/queen-maxima">Queen Maxima</a></strong> and <strong><a href="/tags/0/king-willem-alexander">King Willem-Alexander</a></strong> of the Netherlands also attended. <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Cambodian King <strong>Norodom Sihamoni</strong> also attended. <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara / Pool / AFP
Sweden's <strong>King Carl XVI Gustaf</a></strong> and <strong><a href="/tags/0/crown-princess-victoria">Crown Princess Victoria</a></strong> arrived shortly after them. <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Willem-Alexander, Maxima and Albert were thrilled to see each other! <p>Photo: &copy; Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
Charles attended the coronation solo, since <strong><a href="/tags/0/camilla-parker-bowles">Duchess Camilla</a></strong> had already been booked for engagements this week. <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
<strong>Grand Duke Henri of Luxembourg</strong>, fresh off the wedding of <strong>Prince Jean-Christophe Napoleon</strong> in Paris, didn't look the slightest bit jetlagged when he arrived! <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
<strong><a href="/tags/0/queen-mathilde">Queen Mathilde</a></strong> and <strong><a href="/tags/0/king-philippe">King Philippe</a></strong> of Belgium looked happy as they arrived. <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
<strong><a href="/tags/0/crown-princess-mary">Crown Princess Mary</a></strong> and <strong><a href="/tags/0/crown-prince-frederik">Crown Prince Frederik</a></strong> of Denmark looked stunning. <p>Photo: &copy; Koji Sasahara/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Bhutan's King <STRONG>Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck</strong> and Queen <strong>Jetsun Pema</strong> looked colourful as they arrived. <p>Photo: &copy; Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images
Malaysia's King <strong>Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah</strong> and Queen <strong>Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah</strong>held hands as they arrived. <p>Photo: &copy; Carl Court/AFP/Getty Images
As usual, Spain's <strong><a href="/tags/0/queen-letizia">Queen Letizia</a></strong> looked gorgeous, wearing a beautiful floral patterned gown for the occasion, which she attended with <strong><a href="/tags/0/king-felipe-vi">King Felipe VI</a></strong>. <p>Photo: &copy; Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
Charles and Mary took some time to chat once seated. <p>Photo: &copy; Str/Jiji Press/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
Once the ceremony began, a curtain was pulled back on a giant stage, revealing Naruhito and Masako, seated in regal robes. <p>Photo: &copy; Kazuhiro Nogi/AFP/Getty Images
Naruhito delivered a speech during the ceremony, which was mostly silent. A sacred sword and jewel were placed alongside the new emperor. <p>Photo: &copy; Kazuhiro Nogi/Getty Images
Later in the day, Naruhito and Masako arrived at an imperial banquet together, with the empress looking gorgeous in a diamond tiara. <p>Photo: &copy; Str/Jiji Press/Pool/AFP/Getty Images
All the attendees raised their hands to give a "banzai!" cheer during the ceremony. <p>Photo: &copy; Akio Kon/Pool/Getty Images
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