King Charles welcomes the Portuguese president to Buckingham Palace

King Charles III welcomed the President of Portugal to Buckingham Palace today.

The 74-year-old monarch appeared in high spirits as he hosted 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 having been first formalized 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 eternal friendship between the two countries, was renewed in the Treaty of Windsor of 1386 and by several other treaties over the centuries.

After taking pictures together, King Charles and the Portuguese President inspected the Buckingham Palace detachment of the King’s Guard in the residence’s forecourt.

The couple then attended a thanksgiving service to mark the anniversary at The Queen’s Chapel at St James’s Palace in Marlborough.

The service, featuring readings and a psalm in both English and Portuguese, as well as music by Portuguese and English composers, is the culmination of the Portugal-UK 650 celebration that began in 2019 at The Queen’s Chapel.

On arrival at the Queen’s Chapel, His Majesty and the President were welcomed by members of the British and Portuguese Armed Forces and met by the Vice-Dean of the Queen’s Chapel, The Reverend Canon Paul Wright LVO, who presented Dr Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo, President of Portugal- UK 650.

The service included a short speech by Dr. Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo, President of Portugal-UK 650, and concluded with the national anthems of both countries.

Speaking to the audience, Dr Maria Joao Rodrigues de Araújo said, “Over the past four years, our goal has been to celebrate our shared history and write new chapters of friendship and collaboration.

After taking pictures together, King Charles and the Portuguese President inspected the Buckingham Palace detachment of the King’s Guard in the residence’s forecourt (pictured)

The couple then attended a Thanksgiving service to mark the anniversary at The Queen’s Chapel at St. James’s Palace in Marlborough.

The 74-year-old monarch appeared in high spirits as he hosted President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, also 74, at his London residence to mark the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance

King Charles III and President of Portugal Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa inspect the Buckingham Palace detachment of the King’s Guard in the forecourt of the palace in Londo

“We have conducted scientific research on the Alliance and promoted the basic values ​​enshrined in Article 1 of the Treaty of 1373: peace, friendship, truth, fidelity, fortitude, sincerity, kindness and solidarity.

‘In cooperation with 210 institutions, we have organized more than 300 activities and projects in both countries and have reached millions of people.

“We hope that these long-term projects and collaborations will help cement the bonds of friendship between the citizens of our two nations, and ensure that the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance, the oldest surviving alliance, continues to thrive.”

After the service, the King and President will view the original 1373 Treaty of Tagilde from The National Archives, receive a gift from Portugal UK 650 and meet some of those involved in the celebrations.

King Charles III receives the President of Portugal, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, at an audience to mark the 650th anniversary of the Anglo-Portuguese Alliance at Buckingham Palace

After the service, the King and President will view the original 1373 Treaty of Tagilde from The National Archives, receive a gift from Portugal-UK 650 and meet some of those involved in the celebrations