King Charles Hilariously Referenced Pokémon and Hello Kitty at Japan State Banquet
King Charles III made some major Japanese pop culture references at the British royal family’s state banquet. While hosting the Emporer and Empress of Japan, the monarch joked about Pokémon in relation to fly-fishing—yes, really—only to later commend Hello Kitty.
The royal family’s Japan state banquet at Buckingham Palace
The royal family kicked off Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako of Japan’s three-day state visit to London, England, with a state banquet and speeches.
On June 25, 2024, King Charles and his wife, Queen Camilla, hosted the couple, as well as other royals and dignitaries, at Buckingham Palace for a gala complete with tiaras, tuxedos, and gowns.
The king’s oldest son and heir, Prince William, greeted Emperor Narahito and Empress Masako at their hotel ahead of the state banquet. The Prince of Wales, 42, was among the royals to attend, alongside Prince Edward and Sophie, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh.
William’s wife, Kate Middleton, wasn’t there due to her ongoing cancer treatment. (She has a “few months” of preventative chemotherapy left.) Nor was Princess Anne due to her current hospitalization after sustaining a head injury at her Gatcombe Park home on June 23, 2024.
Pokémon phrase is ‘aspirational’ to King Charles’
“I know from Your Majesty’s fascinating record of your experiences at Oxford [University, U.K.], as well as my memories of our time spent together at the opera and fly fishing,” King Charles said, “that these opportunities to spend time abroad create lifelong friendships and memories,” (via Newsweek).
Then the king referenced Pokémon and made William smirk, according to The Daily Beast.
“I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing,” he continued. “The Pokémon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren. But for me, it is, perhaps, aspirational.”
King Charles is a grandfather of five. William and Kate have three children: Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6. Meanwhile, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle have two: Prince Archie, 5, and Princess Lilibet, 3.
The king also wished Hello Kitty a happy birthday at the Japanese state banquet
Pokémon wasn’t the only piece of Japanese pop culture King Charles referenced in his state banquet speech. He also included a joke about Hello Kitty created by Yuko Shimizu.
“It has been a pleasure to learn of the British stories behind certain Japanese cultural icons,” the king told guests.”
“Perhaps you would allow me to note one particular individual who turns 50 this year,” he continued. He went on to note they were “raised in a London suburb with her twin sister, a self-made entrepreneur worth billions of dollars, and a UNICEF Children’s Ambassador on top of all that. So I can only wish a very happy birthday to…Hello Kitty.”
“Ever greater numbers of our young people are living, working, and studying in world-class institutions in each other’s countries,” King Charles added. “We are honored that so many members of the Imperial Family, including Your Majesties, have chosen to study at British universities.”
The 75-year-old British monarch wasn’t the only one to make a pop culture reference. Emperor Naruhito did something similar in his own speech with a mention of Doctor Who’s Tardis.
