Royal expert Katie Nicholl on the importance of the King’s first state visit

KING Charles’ first state visit from the president of South Africa could prove to be vital for post-Brexit trading relations, royal expert Katie Nicholl has said.
Speaking to GB News today Miss Nicholl said: “This is the first state visit for King Charles, and the first state visit for us as a country in three years.
“So I think it’s going to feel quite special actually. Any state visit, if you’re in London, you’re aware of it, because you will see the traffic come to a standstill. If you’re lucky, you will see a procession, and there’s going to be two guards of honour.
“I was actually down at the barracks last weekend, watching all of the horses get ready for this parade. So it’s going to be very much the pomp and pageantry that you would expect of a state visit.
“But of course, it’s not just about the horses and the guard of honour, and the state banquet.
This is very important for Britain and trade relations too. We trade heavily with South Africa, the biggest country in the continent we trade with, it’s £11 billion a year for us. There’s a really important part to this. It’s not just about the toasts and the tiaras, there’s more to it.”
On the first state banquet without Queen Elizabeth II, she added: “It is just this acceptance that the role of monarch is now being carried out by King Charles. Yes of course, we’re so used to seeing the Queen carry out these state visits, and to be there at Buckingham Palace and receive that visiting head of state, whoever it might be.
“She’s just been such a sort of ubiquitous and expected part of that ceremony that it is going to feel different, and it’s going to look different. But now we’ve got a King and a Queen consort so I think it’s going to feel very special.
“Let’s watch these events closely. Let’s see who’s going to be at this state banquet.
“We’re going to see the extended family brought out and placed on this world stage alongside the King and Queen Consort.”
Ms Nicholl also told GB News she suspects the topic of football might come up.
She said: “I’m sure there will be talk of England’s success yesterday. The thing with these visits is it’s not straight to business, there’s a lot of schmoozing that goes on as well.
“That’s very, very important for these important international relations. And also it’s worth mentioning that with King Charles now as head of the Commonwealth, that the relationship with South Africa is really, really important.”