King Charles III’s first state visit as monarch is coming to an end.

On Wednesday, the King welcomed South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Buckingham Palace for a formal farewell on the final day of his visit to the U.K.

The state visit marked the first time the British royals have hosted one since 2019, when then-U.S. President Donald Trumpvisited the U.K.It also marked the first state visit of King Charles' reign, after he became monarch immediately uponQueen Elizabeth’s death on Sept. 8. (A royal source previously confirmed that the visit was in the royal family’s diary beforeQueen Elizabeth’s death.)

At the conclusion of the state visit, the Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to President Ramaphosa on behalf of the King.

King Charles and South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa.Chris Jackson/Getty

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 23: King Charles III and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa attend a formal farewell at Buckingham Palace on November 23, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.

On Tuesday,Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamwelcomed President Ramaphosaat the Corinthia Hotel on behalf of King Charles, then accompanied him to Horse Guards Parade, where the president received a ceremonial welcome. The president and the royals then rode in acarriage processionto Buckingham Palace.

King Charles III and President of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa smile during a formal farewell at Buckingham Palace on November 23, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.

That evening, a state banquet was held at Buckingham Palace, complete with tiaras for the royal women, includingKate MiddletonandQueen Camilla. Both King Charles and President Ramaphosa both gave speeches.

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AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty

Britain’s Catherine, Princess of Wales (L), South Africa’s President Cyril Ramaphosa (2L), and Britain’s Camilla, Queen Consort (R) listen as Britain’s King Charles III speaks during a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in London on November 22, 2022, at the start of the President’s of South Africa’s two-day state visit. - King Charles III hosted his first state visit as monarch on Tuesday, welcoming South Africa’s President to Buckingham Palace.

“South Africa, like the Commonwealth, has always been a part of my life. My mother often recalled her visit in 1947, the year before I was born, when, from Cape Town on her 21st birthday, she pledged her life to the service of the people of the Commonwealth,” Charles said, referencing thefamous radio broadcastshe made in 1947 before she became monarch.

“It is therefore particularly moving and special that you are our guest on this, the first State Visit we have hosted,” he continued.

Aaron Chown - Pool/Getty

President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa (L) and King Charles III share a toast during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace during the State Visit to the UK by President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa on November 22, 2022 in London, England. This is the first state visit hosted by the UK with King Charles III as monarch, and the first state visit here by a South African leader since 2010.

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They also went to the Francis Crick Institute, a biomedical research center that works across academia, medicine and industry to understand the biology behind health and disease. President Ramaphosa and Prince Edward viewed technology used across Africa to diagnose infections, including COVID-19, before meeting South African scientists and students.

source: people.com