Subject: Supplemental Pool Report #3: POTUS and FLOTUS greet the emperor and empress
At 9:18 am local time Emperor Naruhito and Empress Masako walked just outside the doors of the Imperial Palace for an official military greeting. They presented themselves with a slight bow and a nod before returning indoors.
Emperor Naruhito wore a suit and his wife wore a cream suit and hat with a cream ribbon around it.
At 9:23 am the president and first lady arrived in the motorcade, which pulled up to the door and let them off in front of the emperor and empress.
Melania Trump wore a white dress with a flower pattern down her left side and red pumps.
As he approached, POTUS mouthed the words, “How are you? Thank you very much.
The group greeted one another with handshakes.
FLOTUS told the empress, “Nice to meet you.”
The president spoke to the emperor in hushed tones. No audio recording or phone photos were allowed but he appeared to say: Congratulations, it’s a tremendous thing. Something they are talking about all over the world.
He said to the emporor, “Please, thank you,” gesturing in the direction of the door.
He put his hand on the small of Melania’s back and gently signaled it was time to enter.
The men went first, followed by the women.
After thia pool left, he participated in a welcome ceremony covered by the regular travel pool.
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Francesca Chambers
White House Correspondent
DailyMail.com
Subject: Supplemental Travel Pool report #4: State call
After the welcome ceremony, which was open press and handled by the protective travel pool, the president and first lady made a state call on the emperor and empress.
We did not have an editorial presence in the room, although a pool cam was present. Imperial staff refused to allow a journalistic presence, aside from the pool camera I mentioned.
I’ve reached out to the person operating the pool cam and will provide color from inside the room, if possible. A gift exchange also took place. I’ve asked the White House for a list of the gifts that were given and will provide that information, when it is available.
The supplemental travel pool went to a hold facility during the welcome ceremony. We’re back at the Imperial Palace doors awaiting POUTS’s departure.
Francesca Chambers
Senior White House Correspondent