King Charles III will meet South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and his wife on Tuesday at Buckingham Palace in London. This will be his first state visit since he ascended the throne.

The last state visit to Great Britain took place in June 2019, when Queen Elizabeth II hosted US President Donald Trump and his wife Melania.

Charles has not yet announced where he will go on his first foreign visit.

But his first invitation after taking the throne from his mother, who died on September 8, was for the president of South Africa.

This diplomatic meeting comes in a sensitive context for Cyril Ramaphosa in South Africa.

Christopher Vendome, a researcher at the Chatham House Institute of International Affairs in London, says that “getting the tone right will be crucial.”

London, the former colonial power in South Africa, will have to avoid being lectured about Pretoria’s UN vote on Ukraine, as South Africans still “regret” the lack of Western support during the Covid crisis.

Climate change, trade and Charles III’s vision for the Commonwealth are also likely to feature prominently in the discussions, says Vendome.

Cyril Ramaphosa last visited London for Elizabeth II’s funeral at Westminster Abbey in September.

Cyril Ramaphosa is due to arrive on Monday ahead of a state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will welcome Cyril Ramaphosa and First Lady Chepo Motsepe. There will also be meetings with other members of the royal family, including the heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Kate.

Charles’ younger brother, Prince Edward, will accompany Cyril Ramaphosa to west London’s famous Kew Botanic Gardens and Biomedical Research Centre.

Also on the agenda is a speech in both houses of parliament and a meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak in Downing Street. (News.ro)