Qatar State Visit: King Charles and Queen Camilla arrive for glitzy state banquet

King Charles hailed the “profound, personal and historic” ties between Qatar and the UK as he welcomed the Amir and Sheikha for a two-day state visit.

Delivering a speech at tonight’s lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace, the 76-year-old monarch spoke warmly of the ties between the two nations, namely their collaborative efforts on climate change and biodiversity loss, science and technology, education and defence.

Addressing the 150 guests - which included Posh and Becks - the King opened by speaking in Arabic. He said "Assalamu-Alaykum", which means peace be upon you.

As part of the entertainment for tonight's State Banquet, musicians will play an unusual rendition of a famous Disney song for guests at Buckingham Palace.

The Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bin Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani are in the UK for a two-day state visit.

While guests enjoy lobster and other fine delicacies tonight, they will also be treated to a variety of musical performances by The Hiraeth String Quartet composed of some of the most talented students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Among the setlist, the quartet will play a classical rendition of a hit song from the Disney Film, Moana, titled 'How Far I'll Go'.

David and Victoria Beckham are among the 150 guests invited to a glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace tonight.

The celebrity couple were invited because of their Qatari connections, with the former England football captain being an ambassador for the Qatar World Cup in 2022.

Mr Beckham was paid £10m to endorse the global showcase and came under significant criticism for his involvement.

He sat between Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman who is president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), a French football club where Beckham ended his career. Qatar Sports Investments, founded by the Amir in 2005, owns PSG.

Queen Camilla looked elegant in a red velvet gown during the State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Qatar Royal Family this evening, as she attended despite her ongoing viral infection. The 77-year-old wore a glamorous ball gown, accessorised with some glittering jewels.

Tiaras are only worn by royals on rare occasions, with Queen Camilla and other women including Princess Kate only permitted to wear them during state banquets, white-tie events, royal weddings and coronations.

She wore a red velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare with the Diamond Kokoshnik tiara that belonged to the late Queen. She accessorised with diamond earrings from her private collection, a diamond necklace that belonged to the late Queen and a ruby and diamond bracelet.

Fine delicacies of lobster and pheasant feature in tonight's three-course lavish state banquet for the Qatari royals as King Charles and Queen Camilla host at Buckingham Palace this evening.

They washed the food with five different wines, including award-winning English sparking wine from Chapel Down, a winery based in Tenterden, Kent.

Beautiful behind-the-scenes pictures have been released showing the finishing touches of the Ballroom ahead of the State Banquet tonight for the Qatari royals.

Daily Express Royal Editor, Emily Ferguson, describes the room as "simply breathtaking".

The Royal Family has posted a video showing King Charles and Queen Camilla observing the finishing touches of the lavish State Banquet to be held this evening at Buckingham Palace.

Royal fans have rushed to share their enthusiasm, with one commenting: "Love these kind of videos!! Everything looks perfect!"

Another fan added: "So cool to see BTS [Behind the scenes]"

The Amir of Qatar addressed both Houses assembled in the Robing Room of the House of Lords this afternoon.

The Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir Lindsay Hoyle, also gave a welcome speech, speaking about the current and future relationship between the two countries.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have taken to social media platform X to share images of the first day of the state visit with Qatari royals.

On X, the caption read: "Great to welcome the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh @TamimBinHamad Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani to the UK today."

The images show the Ceremonial Welcome on the Horseguards Parade.

The Royal Family and their VIP guests, the Qatari royals, visited the Picture Gallery of Buckingham Palace after their lunch, where Christmas trees, decked out in white lights and golden baubles, were on show high above the grand doorways.

The Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Prince of Wales, was greeted by Tim Knox, director of the Royal Collection, as they prepared to view the exhibition of items from the Royal Collection Trust and the Turquoise Mountain Foundation relating to Qatar.

Kate had swapped her knee-high boots for burgundy stilettos as she toured the small displays of exhibits alongside her husband.

At one point, they were seen laughing with one another, with Kate breaking out in a wide smile as they waited behind the King to look at the next set of artefacts.

The princess peered closely at a set of photographic prints by Dutch photographer Robert Van Hilst which captured the spirit of Doha's historic market Souq Waqif.

Kate, a keen photographer and history of art graduate, asked a question about the prints, before replying "Oh yes" as she examined them closely.

Also among the group were the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.

A number of gifts were exchanged at Buckingham Palace, with the King and Queen gifting several items, including a signed photograph of themselves in a silver frame, a hand-knotted prayer mat and a silver and blue enamel pill box, engraved with Her Majesty’s cypher. 

The Amir’s gifts included a model of Al-Sanbook, a traditional sailboat used in pearl diving and a multi-stranded necklace of pearls for the King. 

It marked the end of Kate's involvement in the state visit as she will not attend the state banquet in the evening.

King Charles travelled in the Irish State Coach with the Amir and Sheikha to head to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch with the Qatari royals.

Apart from Kate and William who followed in the Australian Stare Coach with the Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, four other carriages carrying dignitaries formed the procession, which travelled down the Mall, past the Queen’s gardens and into the forecourt of Buckingham Palace.

More pomp and pageantry awaited the Amir, as they arrived at the Palace to a second Guard of Honour and a rendition of both the British and Qatari national anthem.

They then headed inside where the Queen, wearing a blue tartan dress, was waiting in the warm, before heading to the Blue Drawing Room for lunch.

- By Emily Ferguson, Royal Editor

EXCLUSIVE: The Prince of Wales made a "telling" and "confirmational gesture" towards his wife, the Princess of Wales, today in what has been described as a "priority ritual" by a body language expert.

Princess Kate and Prince William stepped out in London to greet the Amir of Qatar, Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani in what was the first time since the princess's cancer diagnosis was announced earlier this year.

During today's ceremonial welcome, William was pictured affectionately placing his hand on his wife’s back when she joined him at the dais and offering King Charles a deep curtsy before the five of them greeted officials in the lineup.

Now a body language expert analysed Kate and William's appearance and stressed how the future King wanted to send a recurring signal to Kate and the world that his wife has got his "undivided attention".

Prince William and Princess Kate were snapped travelling through The Mall to Buckingham Palace in London earlier today.

The couple travelled in the Australian State Coach alongside Qatari prime minister and and minister of foreign affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

The Princess of Wales looked incredible as she stepped out in London to take part in various events as the Amir of Qatar and his wife began their official state visit to the UK.

Princess Kate stunned in an all-burgundy ensemble as she greeted her guests alongside Prince William.

The future Queen sported a fitted burgundy coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen from the past season and a hat by Sahar Millinery as she stood alongside William and the VIP guests inside the residence in London.

Royal fans seemed to love Kate's sartorial choices and took to social media to say she looked amazing.

The Queen has revealed to guests during a state visit that her recent chest infection was actually pneumonia.

Camilla is battling post-viral fatigue and has been advised by her doctors to take additional time for recovery, causing her to miss the outdoor activities of the Qatari visit.

It's been clarified that Camilla's illness was viral rather than bacterial, and she no longer suffers from pneumonia.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at Buckingham Palace this afternoon to have a private lunch with the Amir of Qatar and his wife, as well as King Charles and Queen Camilla.This is the third engagement Princess Kate carried out today after greeting the Qatari royals in London and travelling to Horse Guards parade for the ceremonial welcome.

Queen Camilla was pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, where she will join her husband King Charles to carry out engagements linked to the Qatar state visit.

The Queen had to pull out of the ceremonial welcome due to the lingering effects of a chest infection.

The Princess of Wales was pictured arriving at Horse Guards parade ahead of the Ceremonial Welcome for the Amir of Qatar.

Princess Kate was pictured greeting dignitaries, including Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley.

The King has been pictured arriving at Horse Guards Parade for the Ceremonial Welcome of the Amir of Qatar.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were pictured smiling with the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher.

The future Queen looked elegant in a fitted burgundy coat and hat alongside William and the VIP guests inside the residence in London.

She also sported a pearl necklace and had her hair done in a low chignon as she was seen in conversation with Sheikha Jawaher.

She was snapped arriving for the meeting in a car alongside Prince William

Kate is taking on a major role today as the two-day state visit officially begins with a ceremony in Whitehall.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have greeted the Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher in, London, on behalf of the King.

The Queen is to miss the ceremonial welcome today during the Qatari state visit due to the lingering side effects of a chest infection, but will attend other elements of the day, Buckingham Palace announced on Monday.

Camilla, 77, was first diagnosed with the seasonal bug at the start of last month, following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa, and has reduced her diary on doctors' advice. 

Her medics have urged her to take time to rest and recover fully, so it was advised that she avoid standing outside and travelling via carriage in the chilly temperatures.

But she will join the royal party this afternoon at Buckingham Palace for a private lunch with the Amir and his wife and will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Amir.

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The Amir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher were pictured arriving at Stansted Airport in Essex on Monday, ahead of their state visit, which officially begins today.

The Amir was seen holding an umbrella as he got off the plane, while his wife close followed behind wearing a long beige coat.

The Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, arrived in the UK last night for a two-day state visit.

This will be hosted at Buckingham Palace by the King and Queen, and will be the last state visit to be held at the Palace until 2027 as a result of renovations.

His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who took on his duties from 2013, last visited the UK in 2023 for the King’s Coronation. He will be in the UK until Wednesday evening.

A number of activities welcome the royal guests, including the highlight: a glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace.

Other notable events include a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade and a visit to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.

Good morning, I'm Sophia Papamavroudi and I'll be bringing you the latest royal updates regarding the Amir of Qatar's state visit to the UK until the evening.

Feel free to get in touch by emailing me at sophia.papamavroudi@reachplc.com