King Charles III has today welcomed the President of Portugal to Buckingham Palace.
The monarch, 74, appeared in excellent spirits as he received President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also 74, at his London residence to mark the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance.
It is the oldest diplomatic alliance in the world still in force after being first formalised with the signing of the Treaty of Tagilde on July 10 1372 by King Edward III of England and King Fernando and Queen Leonor of Portugal.
The alliance, based on the perpetual friendship between the two countries, was renewed in the Treaty of Windsor of 1386, and by several other treaties throughout the centuries.
Following photos together, King Charles and Portugal's President inspected the Buckingham Palace detachment of the King's Guard on the forecourt of the residence.
The pair are due to attend a Service of Thanksgiving to mark the anniversary at The Queen's Chapel at St. James's Palace in Marlborough.
The service, which will include readings and a psalm in both English and Portuguese as well as music from Portuguese and English composers, is the culmination of the Portugal-UK 650 celebrations that began in The Queen's Chapel in 2019.
On arrival at The Queen's Chapel, His Majesty and The President will be welcomed by members of UK and Portuguese Armed Forces and met by the Sub Dean of The Queen's Chapel, The Reverend Canon Paul Wright LVO who will introduce Dr Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo, President of Portugal-UK 650.
The service will include a short address by Dr Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo, President of Portugal-UK 650, and will conclude the National Anthems of both countries.
After the service, The King and The President will view the original Treaty of Tagilde from 1373 from The National Archives, receive a gift from Portugal-UK 650 and meet some of those who have been involved in the celebrations.
The Foreign Secretary and Minister of Foreign Affairs will also attend the service.