The Prince and Princess of Wales have been pictured meeting the Nigerian President and First Lady as the couple begin their state visit to the UK.
Prince William and Catherine greeted the couple at the luxury spa hotel, Fairmont Windsor Park, just on the edges of Windsor Great Park.
The pair escorted them to the town centre to formally meet King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The King will welcome Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu, in a first state visit to Britain by a leader of the West African nation in 37 years.
William and Catherine greeted the Nigerian President and First Lady
|
PA
The royal couple were seen shaking hands with Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu
|
PA
It is also the first by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in almost a century.
Organisers have had to modify the programme to accommodate these religious requirements, meaning the customary welcome lunch at the castle has been removed from proceedings.
Instead, the King will receive President Tinubu for an afternoon audience at Windsor Castle.
Following sunset, the Nigerian leader will break his fast privately before attending the evening’s state banquet alongside the monarch and Queen Camilla.
The Princess of Wales engaged in dialogue with the Nigerian First Lady
|
GETTY
The princess went for diplomatic royal dressing by wearing a coat dress by young British-Nigerian fashion designer Tolu Coker
|
PA
The banquet will see the King’s first speech since the arrest of his brother, Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor.
The visit will conclude on Thursday evening, which marks the beginning of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic celebration signalling Ramadan’s end.
Nigeria’s Government spokesman, Mohammed Idris, said: “This state visit is about turning a historic relationship into a modern economic partnership – transforming trust into opportunity.
“Nigeria’s economic reforms are unlocking the potential of Africa’s largest consumer market. The United Kingdom is a natural partner in what comes next.
The future king and queen shook hands and posed for photos with Mr and Mrs Tinubu
|
GETTY
William and Catherine escorted Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, Oluremi Tinubu to the town centre
|
PA
“This visit marks the next step in deepening co-operation across trade, finance and defence.”
Thames Valley Police announced that comprehensive security measures are in place in the Berkshire town, amid the ongoing international conflict in the Middle East backdrop.
Mr and Mrs Tinubu arrived in the UK on Tuesday on a Nigerian Air Force flight as scheduled, and were met at Stansted Airport by the deputy lieutenant of Essex, Mark Bevan, on behalf of the King.
Their visit went ahead despite suicide bombings in north-eastern Nigeria’s Borno state on Monday, which killed 23 people and injured more than 100.
It is the first state visit from the West African nation in nearly 40 years
|
PA
The Princess of Wales was seen smiling with the Nigerian First Lady
|
PA
Mr Tinubu condemned the “evil-minded” terror groups and expressed his mourning for those who lost their lives, stating: “Nigeria will not succumb to fear.”
The last Nigerian state visit to the UK was in 1989, when Queen Elizabeth II welcomed military ruler General Ibrahim Babangida to London.
President Tinubu and Mrs Tinubu will lay a wreath of flowers on the tomb of the late Queen in St George’s Chapel.
They will also attend an interfaith event, designed to build bridges between religions.