Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 6) — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. met with King Charles III on Friday evening (UK time) during a reception for world leaders at Buckingham Palace ahead of the British monarch’s coronation.
Photos released by the British Embassy in Manila showed Marcos and his wife, First Lady Liza Araneta-Marcos, speaking to Charles who will officially be crowned eight months after the death of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II.
In a statement, Marcos said he is “deeply honored” to attend the pre-coronation reception.
Prior to the occasion, Marcos and members of his delegation were welcomed by a representative of the King, as well as by Philippine Ambassador to the United Kingdom Teodoro Locsin Jr., upon their arrival at the London Gatwick Airport also on Friday.
The president said his group toured the airport to learn from best practices that can help improve the Philippines’ tourism sector.
“We made the most of our time at Gatwick Airport, meeting with its executives and taking a comprehensive tour,” Marcos said.
“We gathered valuable insights to improve Philippine airports and boost tourism at home,” he added.
King Charles, 74, and Queen Consort Camilla, 75, will be crowned at Westminster Abbey in London, where thousands are expected to gather to witness the first such event in Britain in seven decades.
The coronation service is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. on Saturday, UK time, which is seven hours behind Manila time.
Buckingham Palace also earlier confirmed that representatives from over 200 countries were invited to the coronation service.
“We underscore the thriving relationship between the Philippines and the United Kingdom, which has been promising in increasing trade, investment, and cultural exchanges for the Filipino people,” he said.
Also present at the royal event were other heads of state from across the globe.
