The British royals have just hosted President Ramaphosa of South Africa for a state visit, a trip that’s considered to be the highest level of official engagement. A lavish event, the visit was marked by an epic equestrian procession that seemed straight out of a storybook. Prince William and Kate Middleton greeted the visiting dignitary alongside King Charles and Camilla, with each choosing a chic outfit in a fall-friendly shade of plum.
In diplomatic protocol, there are five types of visits accorded to the topmost government officials: state visit, official visit, working visit, private visit and informal visit. State visit is reserved for chiefs of state, like the president of a country or a reigning monarch, and must be at the invitation of the US President.
Typically, a state visit includes an extensive programme of meetings and events in London with the host Prime Minister, other government ministers and leaders of the main political parties. The visitor is also offered a state dinner. Before the dinner, the monarch proposes a toast and the head of state replies and offers a toast to the monarch.
A state or official visit to Canada involves a meeting with the Canadian Governor General or Prime Minister and usually includes a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial on Parliament Hill or Rideau Hall. The Governor General’s Foot Guards, one of the two household foot guard regiments, takes part in arrival ceremonies on state and official visits to Ottawa. The cost of accommodation, transport and food (to a set limit) in the UK is covered by the FCDO for a state or official visit, while international air fares are covered by the hosting government.