King Charles III and Queen Camilla have bid farewell to Bola Tinubu and his wife Oluremi Tinubu at Windsor Castle, marking the end of the UK segment of the Nigerian leader’s state visit.
The farewell took place on Thursday at the sovereign’s entrance of Windsor Castle after a state banquet hosted by the King on Wednesday evening.
The King greeted President Tinubu and shook hands with him, while the Queen spoke with the first lady as they stepped outside.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said there was mutual respect between both leaders during the visit.
The spokesperson said the King and the President demonstrated “a strong friendship and wealth of opportunity between our two nations.”
President Tinubu is expected to continue his programme with a meeting with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer at Downing Street and a visit to Westminster Abbey.
The state visit included discussions on security, trade and cultural cooperation between both countries.
During the banquet speech, King Charles spoke about Nigeria’s role in global affairs, its population and its diaspora in the United Kingdom.
He also referred to Nigerians as a “living bridge” between both countries.
He said Nigeria plays a role in trade and regional cooperation and noted its position within the Commonwealth.
The visit also included a farewell ceremony at the castle grounds, where members of the Grenadier Guards formed a guard of honour.
A trumpeter sounded a salute as the presidential motorcade left the premises.
The visit marks the first by a Nigerian leader in 37 years and one of the few by a Muslim leader during Ramadan in nearly a century.
The Tinubus are expected to leave the United Kingdom as Eid al-Fitr approaches, marking the end of the Ramadan period.
