King Charles and Queen Camilla welcomed the Emperor and Empress of Japan to the UK yesterday, marking the start of a three-day state visit.
The much-anticipated trip – which had been postponed from 2020 as a result of the Covid pandemic – almost didn’t happen again due to next week’s General Election,
which has seen a number of royal engagements cancelled.
But after behind-the-scenes negotiations to pare down some more political elements of the visit, it got the go-ahead – with pomp, pageantry, and jokes about Pokemon characters.
And last night at a glittering state banquet with Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako,
Camilla showed off the King’s new Family Order for the first time – painted on plastic instead of ivory.
The tradition, which dates back to the 19th century, normally features a portrait of the monarch surrounded by diamonds and suspended from a silk bow.
Charles, 75, ditched ivory in favour of having his portrait painted – in oil by miniaturist Elizabeth Meek – on synthetic polymin. Camilla wore her new Family Order, along with the one she was given by the late Queen Elizabeth, on a cream silk crepe embroidered dress by Fiona Clare.
The banquet at Buckingham Palace also brought humour, as the King made light-hearted references to the popular Japanese cartoon characters for children, Hello Kitty and Pokemon.
Reminiscing about the times he has been fly fishing with the Emperor, he joked: ‘I am only sorry to report that I haven’t had any better luck with more recent attempts at fishing – the Pokemon phrase ‘gotta catch ’em all’ may resonate with my grandchildren, but for me it is, perhaps, aspirational!’
Also in attendance was Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, 44, and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, 58, who, unintentionally, sat on the right leg of the banquet table, with Labour’s Sir Keir Starmer, 61, on the left.
Mr Sunak did not take part in the official royal procession as he has done in previous years, though his wife, Akshata Murty, did. Other notable figures in attendance included the Duchess of Edinburgh, 59, and composer Lord Lloyd Webber, 76.
Last night’s banquet rounded off the first day of the visit which started with the Prince of Wales – without his wife, Kate, who is still undergoing preventative chemotherapy – escorting the emperor and empress to Horse Guards Parade to meet Charles and Camilla, 76, at the Royal Pavilion.
Standing before them was Welsh Guards Guard of Honour, the magnificent Mounted Band of the Household Cavalry and four divisions of the Sovereign’s Escort – involving more than 1,250 soldiers, 250 Army musicians and 240 horses.
Dignitaries also included Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron and Home Secretary James Cleverly.
A thrilled-looking emperor was invited by the King to inspect the Guard of Honour before the royal party left in a fleet of landau.
They arrived back at Buckingham Palace for a private lunch and a viewing of items from the Royal Collection – the priceless and historic collection of jewels, art and artefacts held in trust by the sovereign on behalf of the nation – with an Anglo-Japanese theme. The display included a book written by Emperor Naruhito more than 30 years ago when he was a student at Oxford University and the first history of Japan in English which was published in 1727.
The King and Queen showed their guests a gift received by the late Queen Elizabeth II to celebrate her coronation in 1953 from the Emperor Showa – a delicate antique urushi lacquer box.
Meanwhile Prince William chatted to the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, stopping by a huge silk screen gifted to Queen Elizabeth II by Emperor Showa. The scene worked in silk thread on a gold ground is from Murasaki Shikibu’s 11th-century novel, The Tale Of Genji (Genji Monogatari). Remarking on the scene, the Duke of Gloucester, who was also a guest, joked: ‘How do they keep their hats on?’
The Duchess of Edinburgh laughed, exclaiming: ‘Richard!’ before moving on. There was also an exchange of gifts, including honours.
The King appointed the emperor to the Most Noble Order of the Garter, the highest order of chivalry in the UK, while the emperor presented the King with the Collar of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan’s highest honour.
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Source: Los Angeles Times
Understanding Deductibles in Insurance
What is a Deductible?
A deductible is the amount of money a policyholder must pay out-of-pocket before an insurance company begins to cover the remaining costs. Deductibles are a fundamental component of most insurance policies, including health, auto, home, and business insurance.
How Do Deductibles Work?
When you file a claim, you are responsible for paying the deductible amount. Only after this amount is paid will the insurance company pay for the covered expenses exceeding the deductible. For example, if you have a $1,000 deductible on your car insurance and incur $3,000 in damages from an accident, you would pay the first $1,000, and the insurance company would cover the remaining $2,000.
Types of Deductibles
- Fixed Dollar Deductible: This is a specific amount you must pay each time you file a claim. It’s common in health and auto insurance policies.
- Percentage Deductible: In some cases, particularly with homeowners insurance, the deductible might be a percentage of the insured value. For instance, if your home is insured for $200,000 and you have a 2% deductible, your out-of-pocket cost would be $4,000 before insurance covers the rest.
- Per-Claim vs. Annual Deductible:
- Per-Claim Deductible: You pay the deductible every time you file a claim.
- Annual Deductible: Common in health insurance, this deductible resets each year. You pay out-of-pocket until your total expenses reach the deductible amount for the year.
Why Do Deductibles Exist?
- Cost Control: Deductibles help keep insurance premiums more affordable. Higher deductibles typically result in lower premiums because the policyholder assumes more initial risk.
- Reduced Claims Frequency: Deductibles discourage policyholders from filing small or frivolous claims, reducing the number of claims an insurer must process and pay out.
- Shared Responsibility: Deductibles ensure that policyholders share in the financial responsibility of their care or damages, promoting cautious behavior and maintenance of insured assets.
Choosing the Right Deductible
When selecting an insurance policy, choosing the right deductible is crucial. Here are some considerations:
- Financial Ability: Assess your ability to pay the deductible in case of a claim. A higher deductible can lower your premium but may be challenging to pay if an incident occurs.
- Risk Tolerance: Determine how much risk you are comfortable assuming. If you prefer lower out-of-pocket costs during an emergency, a lower deductible might be preferable, albeit with a higher premium.
- Frequency of Claims: Consider how often you might need to file a claim. If you anticipate frequent claims, a lower deductible might be more cost-effective over time.
Impact on Premiums
The relationship between deductibles and premiums is inverse. Generally, the higher the deductible, the lower the premium, and vice versa. This trade-off allows policyholders to customize their insurance based on their financial situation and risk appetite.
Conclusion
Deductibles are a key feature of insurance policies that influence both the cost of premiums and the financial burden on policyholders when filing claims. Understanding how deductibles work and carefully selecting an appropriate deductible can help balance cost savings with financial protection, ensuring optimal insurance coverage tailored to individual needs and circumstances.
