Milestone for Charles

The King’s reign has passed another milestone with Charles welcoming a foreign leader for an official state visit for the first time. Cyril Ramaphosa, South Africa’s president, was warmly greeted by the monarch and the Queen Consort on a chilly Horse Guards Parade as he began a two-day state visit to the UK. More than 1000 soldiers and over 230 horses took part in the ceremonial event. Lieutenant Colonel James Shaw, Brigade Major of Headquarters Household Division, who delivered the military ceremonial spectacle, said: ‘‘The state visit is a historic first: our first state visit for His Majesty the King and the president of South Africa, the first state visit in London since 2019, the first processional state visit on Horse Guards since 2018, and the first for almost everyone on parade.’’ –