Japanese Prince Visits British Royal Family: ’Banzai!’ (1930) | British Pathé

Check out this extraordinary footage from 1930 of Japanese Prince Takamatsu (brother of Emperor Shōwa) and his wife, Princess Kikuko, on a honeymoon visit to Britain to meet with King George V and Queen Mary of Teck. The couple are initially greeted, however, by Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), Princess Mary (later Princess Royal) and Prince George (Duke of Kent). For Archive Licensing Enquiries Visit: Explore Our Online Channel For FULL Documentaries, Fascinating Interviews & Classic Movies: #BritishPathé #History #Royals #RoyalFamily #King #Queen #Japan #Britain Subscribe to the British Pathé YT Channel: (FILM ID:) Full title reads: “London. ’Banzai!’ Britain welcomes our Royal visitors from Japan - Prince Takamatsu and his charming bride - on state visit to King and Queen.“ Dover Docks, Kent. Prince Takamatsu (Brother of the Emperor of Japan) and his wife come down the gangplank of a docked ship. The Prince inspects a Guard of Honour. The Princess follows her husband as they walk from the inspection area. (The voiceover suggests that Prince Henry, Duke of Gloucester was there to greet them). Victoria Station, London. The Prince and Princess leave their train and are greeted on the platform by Prince Albert, Duke of York (later King George VI), Princess Mary (later Princess Royal) and Prince George (Duke of Kent). Various shots of the carriage bearing the Royal couple through the streets of London. They are escorted by cavalry troops. Crowds line the route. The coaches drive through the gates of Buckingham Palace. N.B. The voiceover suggests that this was a honeymoon trip for the Japanese couple. BRITISH PATHÉ’S STORY Before television, people came to movie theatres to watch the news. British Pathé was at the forefront of cinematic journalism, blending information with entertainment to popular effect. Over the course of a century, it documented everything from major armed conflicts and seismic political crises to the curious hobbies and eccentric lives of ordinary people. If it happened, British Pathé filmed it. Now considered to be the finest newsreel archive in the world, British Pathé is a treasure trove of 85,000 films unrivalled in their historical and cultural significance. British Pathé also represents the Reuters historical collection, which includes more than 136,000 items from the news agencies Gaumont Graphic (1910-1932), Empire News Bulletin (1926-1930), British Paramount (1931-1957), and Gaumont British (1934-1959), as well as Visnews content from 1957 to the end of 1984. All footage can be viewed on the British Pathé website.