The Ladies Who Did Not Make the Japanese State Visit

And an update on the war between Charles and Andrew.

In the months leading up to the Japanese State Visit, there was talk that Princess Beatrice would take on a key role, most likely at the State Banquet where she could add some glamour. Then, in this last week, royal reports indicated that the Princess of Wales herself might participate in some way in the Japanese State Visit.

In the end, neither came to pass. Kate gave the visit a miss, and Beatrice did not stand in for her cousin at the State Banquet. Instead, the Duchess of Edinburgh stepped into the role of second-senior lady, sitting to the right of the Emperor of Japan. Here she is wearing a dress by Suzannah.