North Korea's rocket launch 'failed to put anyone off their chicken' during South Korea's diplomatic visit to Buckingham Palace

North Korea launched a rocket believed to contain a spy satellite during South Korea's state visit to the UK - but the move, thought to have timed deliberately, failed to disrupt a private lunch laid on for the visit.

The launch came as South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee dined with King Charles III, Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales and other royal and South Korean dignitaries inside Buckingham Palace.

Sources say there was 'a bit of a flurry' at the Palace as the rocket blasted off from North Pyongan province, with North Korean state media claiming to have successfully placed the Malligyong-1 satellite into orbit.

The timing of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un's move, at the height of such a high profile South Korean diplomatic visit, surprised no-one. Fortunately, sources said, it 'failed to put anyone off their chicken'.

The response to the rocket launch epitomised the 'keep calm and carry on' nature of British diplomacy as guests tucked into their lunch in the Blue Drawing Room.

The visit by South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee is the first incoming state visit since King Charles III's coronation.

It began with a Horse Guards Parade ceremonial welcome, which saw the Prince and Princess of Wales travel with the South Korean head of state from their London hotel, before they travelled to Buckingham Palace for a special exhibition.

At the Palace, South Korean dignitaries were shown items from the Royal Collection relating to South Korea, including the first evidence of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

The King proudly showed the president a letter sent from King Gojong to Queen Victoria to mark a treaty of friendship and commerce in 1883.

King Charles also showed off photos of the Gwanghuamun Gate, in Seoul, which as Prince of Wales he helped conserve and restore.

And the visitors - who were led round by translators - also got to see the late Queen's speech from her 1999 State Visit.

Prince William and Princess Catherine were heard joking with South Korea's foreign minister Kim Park that they would need to arrange for karaoke if they were ever to make a state visit to South Korea.

Mr Yoon, 62, is a known fan of karaoke and in April belted out a verse of one of his favourite songs, American Pie, at a White House dinner at the request of President Joe Biden during a state visit to the US. He got a standing ovation. 

The North Korean spy satellite launch was reportedly observed by leader Kim Jong Un. State authorities said it would enhance the isolated state's war readiness.

However, claims of the satellite's successful entry into orbit could not be independently verified.

Japan initially issued a 'J-alert' missile warning for Okinawa prefecture late on Tuesday after the rocket was launched, but later withdrew the advisory after the missile reportedly passed into the Pacific Ocean.

South Korea has said a North Korean spy launch programme also involves efforts to manufacture more powerful intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBMs).

Mr Yoon, the South Korean president currently visiting the UK, said earlier in November: 'If North Korea succeeds in launching the military reconnaissance satellite, it would signify that North Korea's ICBM capabilities have been taken to a higher level.

'Therefore, we will have to come up with reinforced countermeasures.'