Japan's Emperor Naruhito proclaims his enthronement to the world at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday, October 22 in Tokyo, Japan.
In photos: Japan's Emperor Naruhito's enthronement
Japan's Emperor Naruhito proclaims his enthronement to the world at the Imperial Palace on Tuesday, October 22 in Tokyo, Japan.
Issei Kato/Pool/Getty Images

Published 3:07 AM EDT, Tue October 22, 2019

In a centuries-old ceremony, Japan's Emperor Naruhito proclaimed his enthronement on Tuesday.

Japan's much-loved former Emperor Akihito, Naruhito's father, stepped down at the end of April, making him the first to do so in 200 years.

Naruhito, 59, announced his change in status at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo in a series of rituals known as "Sokui no Rei." More than a hundred dignitaries, including Britain's Prince Charles and Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam, attended the ceremony.

Emperor Naruhito leaves the state room at the end of the enthronement ceremony where the emperor officially proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on October 22.
Emperor Naruhito leaves the state room at the end of the enthronement ceremony where the emperor officially proclaimed his ascension to the Chrysanthemum Throne on October 22.
Kazuhiro Nogi/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
Japan's Empress Masako makes her appearance during a ceremony to proclaim Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.
Japan's Empress Masako makes her appearance during a ceremony to proclaim Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.
Photo by Issei Kato/ Pool/Getty Images
Japan Self-Defense Forces fire artilleries to mark the proclamation of Japan's Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne at a park in Tokyo.
Japan Self-Defense Forces fire artilleries to mark the proclamation of Japan's Emperor Naruhito's ascension to the throne at a park in Tokyo.
Charly Triballeau/AFP via Getty Images
A crowd gathers to watch firing artilleries marking Japan's Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.
A crowd gathers to watch firing artilleries marking Japan's Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.
Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walks past Emperor Naruhito during his enthronement ceremony.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walks past Emperor Naruhito during his enthronement ceremony.
Issei Kato/Pool via Getty Images
Japan's former prime ministers, Taro Aso, left, Yasuo Fukuda, center, Junichiro Koizumi, right and Yoshiro Mori, far right, attend Japan's Emperor Naruhito's proclamation ceremony marking his ascension to the throne.
Japan's former prime ministers, Taro Aso, left, Yasuo Fukuda, center, Junichiro Koizumi, right and Yoshiro Mori, far right, attend Japan's Emperor Naruhito's proclamation ceremony marking his ascension to the throne.
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People watch Japan's Emperor Naruhito proclaim his enthronement during a live broadcast in Tokyo.
People watch Japan's Emperor Naruhito proclaim his enthronement during a live broadcast in Tokyo.
Toshifumi Kitamura/AFP via Getty Images
Japan's Princess Kako and Princess Mako arrive for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.
Japan's Princess Kako and Princess Mako arrive for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.
Issei Kato/Pool/Getty Images
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam arrives at Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.
Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam arrives at Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.
Carl Court/Getty Images
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino, right, and Crown Princess Kiko, second from right, arrive for the ceremony at Kashikodokoro, one of three shrines at the Imperial Palace.
Japan's Crown Prince Akishino, right, and Crown Princess Kiko, second from right, arrive for the ceremony at Kashikodokoro, one of three shrines at the Imperial Palace.
AP
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark wait for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony to begin.
Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark wait for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony to begin.
Chris Jackson - Pool/Getty Images
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, in a white robe, leaves after praying at Kashikodokoro.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito, in a white robe, leaves after praying at Kashikodokoro.
AP
People photograph the Imperial Palace before Japan's Emperor Naruhito's proclamation of his ascension to the throne.
People photograph the Imperial Palace before Japan's Emperor Naruhito's proclamation of his ascension to the throne.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives for the ceremony at Kashikodokoro.
Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe arrives for the ceremony at Kashikodokoro.
Kyodo News via AP
Japan's Empress Masako walks to Kashikodokoro sanctuary for a ritual at the Imperial Palace.
Japan's Empress Masako walks to Kashikodokoro sanctuary for a ritual at the Imperial Palace.
Jiji Press/AFP via Getty Images
Japan's Emperor Naruhito smiles as he heads to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on October 22.
Japan's Emperor Naruhito smiles as he heads to the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on October 22.
Kyodo News via AP
Japanese national flags decorate the streets on Monday, October 21 before Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.
Japanese national flags decorate the streets on Monday, October 21 before Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.
Tomohiro Ohsumi/Getty Images