As Emperor Naruhito ascended the throne Wednesday, the man who was entrusted with his care while he was studying in the U.K. wished the emperor every success in his new role.
Col. Tom Hall, his wife, Mariette, and their children hosted the then prince for three months in 1983 before he spent two years attending the University of Oxford's Merton College, where he studied transport on the River Thames.
While staying with the Halls, the prince received intensive English-language training in preparation for university. The only language spoken in the house was English, and a normal day would involve English lessons combined with an excursion to a place of interest in the afternoon.