Bola Ahmed Tinubu and First Lady Oluremi Tinubu have arrived in the United Kingdom for a historic state visit, the first by a Nigerian leader in nearly four decades.
They were received in Windsor by King Charles III and Queen Camilla, after being formally welcomed at Windsor and Eton Riverside station by Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales.
The ceremony unfolded under bright spring weather, with Nigerian and British flags lining the streets. A large Royal Standard flew above Windsor Castle, marking the significance of the visit.
The Princess of Wales wore a grey coat dress designed by British-Nigerian designer Tolu Coker, paired with a matching hat by Jane Taylor and earrings once owned by Diana, Princess of Wales. Queen Camilla appeared in a pink outfit by Fiona Clare with a hat by Philip Treacy, and wore brooches that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
King Charles, dressed in a traditional morning suit, warmly greeted President Tinubu as more than 1,000 troops lined the route in a ceremonial display. The royal procession moved through Windsor in state coaches, accompanied by senior Nigerian officials including Lateef Fagbemi and Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu.
A Guard of Honour from the Grenadier Guards awaited them at the castle, adding to the grandeur of the occasion.
The visit is notable as the first UK state visit hosted by King Charles III involving a Muslim leader during Ramadan in nearly a century. President Tinubu is expected to observe his fast privately before attending a state banquet at St George’s Hall.
Despite recent security concerns, including deadly attacks in Borno State, the visit proceeded as planned, with the Nigerian president reaffirming that the country “will not succumb to fear.”
The trip will conclude around Eid al-Fitr, when the president and his wife depart the UK.
This marks the first such visit since 1989, when Queen Elizabeth II hosted Nigeria’s former military leader Ibrahim Babangida.
Source: PenTalk
