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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.

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Japan's Empress Masako makes her appearance during a ceremony to proclaim Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.

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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.

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A crowd gathers to watch firing artilleries marking Japan's Emperor Naruhito's enthronement.

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Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe walks past Emperor Naruhito during his enthronement ceremony.

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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.

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Japan's Princess Kako and Princess Mako arrive for Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.

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Chief Executive of Hong Kong Carrie Lam arrives at Emperor Naruhito's enthronement ceremony.

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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.