New envoy

It looks like he is giving her a huge meishi.

They are standing on a nice carpet.

He should have taken his shoes off and worn slippers or socks - that's an expensive rug! QE2 can wear what she wants on her rug!

she looks like she is having an absolute blast ...

Nice hair, although I'm not sure which person I'm talking about.

Has her bag been screened for dagerous explosive devices?????!!!!! :-)

Nice photo. I'm sure that carpet is steeped in tradition but it doesn't really go with Her Majesty's dress.

Two comments: First, do you think she reads Japanese? Second, I'd bet he's one of the only male ambassadors who's not much taller than the Queen.

She always stands on that huge flower every time she receives credentials from foreign ambassadors to Britain.

First, do you think she reads Japanese?

I wonder if there are any "Engrish" mistakes in his letter.

of course there will be alphaape. The Queen speaks Queens English (ie England English) and no doubt this guy has only learnt American English. So definitely there will be errors in "Color/Colour" way before we even get down to the nitty glitty rice lice stuff..

If the occasion was photographed, how can it be called a "private meeting"?

RR

There must be a Hello Kitty pen inside that office...

Don't you mean: Her Majesty's dress doesn't go with the carpet ? It might be a wee bitty easier for her to change dress than to change carpets... :P

Very nice carpet and decor ... I wonder if I can get it at my local IKEA here in Japan?

The Queen speaks Queens English (ie England English)

That was a howler of a laugh

If they ever get a king , I wonder what he'll speak , perhaps Brittonic .

Properly dressed to meet the Queen unlike Americans. It shows a great respect to her.

I met QE2 at the Christchurch Cathedral when I was 11 years old. I will never forget it. We had lunch together. It was the last time she went there. We are probably both remembering the same day right now.

Is "presents his credentials" a euphemism? She looks happier than she should.

'Here, from my homeland, a copy of what many men read on trains.'

'Oh... dear.'

If the occasion was photographed, how can it be called a "private meeting"?

Probably photographed by the Royal Photographer. Such people are "invisible" during functions and are rarely counted as a person in the room.

herefornow at 07:29 PM JST - 24th February Two comments: First, do you think she reads Japanese?

Do you think the Queen of England has to read foreign documents herself?

Second, I'd bet he's one of the only male ambassadors who's not much >taller than the Queen.

Maybe. Good thing Queen Elizabeth (Height 163cm) didn't have to attend a state dinner with Putin (165 cm) and Medvedev (163cm). With heels she'd be taller than both of them.

Alphaape at 07:35 PM JST - 24th February I wonder if there are any "Engrish" mistakes in his letter.

Doubt it. While the streets and stores of Japan are rampant with English mistakes, I've yet to see any Japanese Foreign Ministry document with any similar mistakes.

globalwatcher at 09:59 PM JST - 24th February Properly dressed to meet the Queen unlike Americans. It shows a great >respect to her

Just because we're not stuffy doesn't mean we're disrespectful. I'm sure State Dept staff are instructed to remove their sunglasses, put away the ipod and stop chewing gum when meeting foreign heads of state.

I'm sure State Dept staff are instructed to remove their sunglasses, put away the ipod and stop chewing gum when meeting foreign heads of state.

Not to mention turning their baseball caps round the right way :-)

Is she afraid someone will steal her purse?

Ossan -- you aren't serious. I was joking about the Quenn reading Japanese.

It is ritual procedure for a new ambassador to meet England Queen. It is an honor for his new diplomatic job.