Photos | King Charles welcomes President Ramaphosa with gun salutes and carriage procession

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On Tuesday, King Charles III hosted his first state visit since becoming British monarch, welcoming President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace in London.

Charles (74) rolled out the traditional pomp and ceremony, as Britain seeks to bolster its relations with its biggest trading partner in Africa.

Ramaphosa and Tshepo Motsepe, his wife, were officially greeted by Charles' eldest son and heir Prince William and his wife Kate at a central London hotel to mark the start of his two-day trip, the first state visit to the UK by a world leader since that of former US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania in 2019.

Gun salutes and a ceremonial welcome from the king and his wife Camilla, Queen Consort, followed, before a grand carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where a banquet will be held later in the president's honour.

Flags of South Africa and the Union Jack are seen on The Mall on the day of a state visit by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, in London, Britain. Photo: Peter Nicholls/Reuters

Ramaphosa shakes hands with King Charles and Camilla, Queen Consort. Photo: Leon Neal/Reuters

President Cyril Ramaphosa walks with King Charles III as they inspect a guard of honour. Photo: Yui Mok/Pool/Reuters

President Cyril Ramaphosa walks among royal guards at a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade in London. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Pool/Reuters

Ramaphosa is scheduled to visit Westminster Abbey to lay a wreath at the grave of the Unknown Warrior and see the memorial stone for former president Nelson Mandela. He will also address legislators in Parliament and meet Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

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Britain hopes the visit, which had been planned before the death of Queen Elizabeth in September, will strengthen trade and investment ties between the two nations, and show the importance of links with the Commonwealth of Nations, the international organisation which Charles now heads.

British foreign minister James Cleverly told Reuters: 

The last state visit to Britain by a South African leader was that of President Jacob Zuma in 2010, when he was met by Charles and Camilla at the start of the trip.

Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak with foreign secretary James Cleverly stand with dignitaries at a ceremonial welcome for President Ramaphosa. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Reuters

King Charles and Camilla travel with President Ramaphosa in a carriage after a ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade in London. Photo: Kirsty Wigglesworth/Reuters

President Ramaphosa stands with King Charles and Camilla at Buckingham Palace. Photo: Kin Cheung/Reuters

King Charles III formally welcomes President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace. Photo: Elmond Jiyane/GCIS