The King and Queen rubbed shoulders with Ok-pop royalty as they staged a banquet in honour of South Korea’s visiting President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Charles praised the environmental credentials of woman group Blackpink and highlighted South Korea’s creativity and tradition, from Gangnam Type, celebrated within the world hit by Korean rapper Psy, to the favored Netflix collection Squid Recreation.
In his banquet speech, the King stated “Koreans have created a miracle” of their journey from “wartime devastation” to a thriving nation the place the “industrial effectivity” he witnessed throughout a go to in 1992 had grow to be the “epitome” of technological innovation.
He added: “By way of their very own sweat and toil, and beneath the shadow of tyranny and the ever current menace of aggression, over seven many years Koreans have constructed a bastion of democracy, human rights and freedom.
“In a world the place these values are challenged, sadly, as not often earlier than in our lifetimes, the Republic of Korea and the UK stand shoulder to shoulder in defence of all that we maintain pricey.”
Amongst greater than 170 friends have been main figures from British and Korean life, from Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and spouse Akshata Murty to Blackpink, and members of the royal household just like the Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal.
Earlier Kate wore a putting crimson cape and coat by Catherine Walker, and an identical hat by Jane Taylor, when the King and Queen hosted a ceremonial welcome for the president and his spouse Kim Keon Hee in London’s Whitehall at first of their three-day state go to.
At a non-public lunch hosted by the King, there was an obvious ruffling of feathers among the many South Koreans when information broke of a North Korean rocket launch as Pyongyang made one other try to position a army spy satellite tv for pc into orbit.
Listening to the King’s banquet tackle have been singers Jennie Kim, Jisoo Kim, Lisa Manobal and Rose Park from Blackpink, South Korea’s greatest woman group who grew to become the primary Korean band to headline a serious UK pageant in the course of the summer time.
Charles additionally paid tribute to the Koreans’ curiosity in defending the atmosphere and singled out the Ok-pop group for reward.
He informed the friends: “I applaud Jennie, Jisoo, Lisa and Rose, higher recognized collectively as Blackpink, for his or her position in bringing the message of environmental sustainability to a worldwide viewers as ambassadors for the UK’s presidency of Cop26, and later as advocates for the UN sustainable growth objectives.
“I can solely admire how they will prioritise these important points, in addition to being world superstars. Sadly, once I was in Seoul all these years in the past, I’m not positive I developed a lot of what is perhaps known as the Gangnam Type!”
Throughout the white-tie banquet the friends dined on a menu of heat tartlet of sentimental poached egg and spinach puree, breast of Windsor pheasant with croquette of celeriac and calvados sauce and salad, with a mango ice cream bombe for dessert.
Kate and Camilla stepped out in glittering royal tiaras that they had by no means been seen in earlier than.
The princess selected the Queen Mom’s delicate Strathmore Rose tiara, whereas the Queen opted for the late Queen Elizabeth II’s ruby and diamond Burmese tiara.
In his speech Mr Yoon echoed the sentiment of the King, praising the shut ties between the UK and South Korea, saying: “Once I was younger, my buddies and I have been all followers of The Beatles, Queen, and Elton John. Harry Potter books are adored by many Koreans.
“Most significantly, the UK is the architect of recent liberal democracy. Most democracies are deeply influenced by British parliamentary democracy. Korea isn’t any exception.
“On the idea of our shared common values of freedom, human rights and the rule of regulation, the Republic of Korea will proceed to steadfastly stand along with the UK as we work collectively for freedom, peace and prosperity around the globe.”
Alongside the pomp and pageantry, the UK and South Korea are to launch talks on a brand new commerce deal and signal a diplomatic accord as a part of Mr Yoon’s three-day state go to.
Enterprise and Commerce Secretary Kemi Badenoch will start negotiations together with her Korean counterpart Bang Moon Kyu on the UK-Korea Enterprise Discussion board at Mansion Home on Wednesday.
They may even announce £21 billion of investments dedicated by Korean companies in inexperienced power and infrastructure initiatives throughout the UK.