South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Queen Camilla and King Charles.Photo: Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a photograph of President Mandela and Queen Elizabeth II, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

Queen Elizabeth IIwas top of mind during thefirst state visitofKing Charles III’s reign.

“I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong,” the future monarch famously said. “But I shall not have strength to carry out this resolution alone unless you join in it with me, as I now invite you to do: I know that your support will be unfailingly given. God help me to make good my vow, and God bless all of you who are willing to share in it.”

Princess Elizabeth.AP/Shutterstock

Princess Elizabeth, later Queen Elizabeth II, poses in front of a microphone to make a 21st Birthday speech, April 21, 1947, which she made from Cape Town, South Africa. Queen Elizabeth II will mark 70 years on the throne, an unprecedented reign that has made her a symbol of stability as the United Kingdom navigated an age of uncertainty Britain Queen Platinum Jubilee, Cape Town, South Africa - 21 Apr 1947

Elizabeth also said in the speech, “As I speak to you today from Cape Town, I am 6,000 miles from the country where I was born. But I am certainly not 6,000 from home. Everywhere I have traveled in these lovely lands of South Africa and Rhodesia, my parents, my sister and I have been taken to the heart of their people and made to feel that we are just as much at home here as if we had lived among them all our lives.”

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Displayed were photos ofQueen Elizabethwith Nelson Mandela, who was South Africa’s president from 1994 to 1999.

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, Queen Camilla and King Charles.Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images

King Charles III and Camilla, Queen Consort show South African President Cyril Ramaphosa items, including a a chess set, which was a gift from President Mandela to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamwere present for the event, walking around the Picture Gallery with South Africa’s Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor.

Other members of the royal family who were present at the palace included Prince Edward, Sophie, Countess of Wessex and Prince Richard, Duke of Gloucester.

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Kate Middleton and Prince William.Dan Kitwood - WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince William, Prince of Wales and Catherine, Princess of Wales escort Dr. Naledin Pandor, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation during a visit to view items, including a a chess set, which was a gift from President Mandela to the Duke of Edinburgh in 1996, displayed as part of the Royal Collection at Buckingham Palace

On Tuesday evening, a centerpiece of the two-day state visit will take place when a glittering state banquet will be hosted at Buckingham Palace, complete with tiaras and ballgowns. Buckingham Palace gave a glimpse at the preparations for the elaborate banquet via social media, sharing avideofrom the kitchens, where staff were busy preparing the food.

As a special touch, they’re also creating decorations in the shape of the national flower of South Africa, the Protea.

source: people.com