The Prince and Princess of Wales took part in a welcoming ceremony for the Emir of Qatar as he began a two-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, were greeted by the royal couple and King Charles during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry staged in Whitehall.
But missing was Queen Camilla who, on Monday evening, pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection.
Camilla was joining the royal party later for a private lunch with the Emir 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 Emir.
William and Kate took part in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer.
In the evening, the King, with other members of the Royal Family, hosted a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Sheikh and his wife.
Follow the latest updates from the State Banquet below....
Live coverage ends
22:13 , Jacob PhillipsThe Evening Standard’s live coverage has ended.
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Guests sit down for the State Banquet
21:24 , Jacob PhillipsGuests have sat down at Buckingham Palace for the State Banquet.
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was sandwiched between The Princess Royal and the King, with the trio seen sharing a joke.
At another point, guests raised a toast together and the King and the Emir of Qatar were photographed clinking glasses.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer seen heading along the East Gallery
21:09 , Jacob PhillipsThe Prime Minister has been snapped in his tux heading to the state banquet.
Sir Keir Starmer was pictured chatting to H.E. Ms Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater, the Minister of Education and Higher Education in Qatar.
King Charles and the Emir of Qatar chat away as they make their way to banquet
21:03 , Jacob PhillipsKing Charles and the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani chatted away as they made their way along the East Gallery to attend the state banquet.
Behind the two men Queen Camilla and the Emir of Qatar's wife Sheikha Jawaher make their way through too.
Posh and Becks pictured on their way to state banquet
20:49 , Jacob PhillipsDavid Beckham and his wife Victoria have been snapped on their way to attend their first state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
The pair were seen making their way through the palace alongside other guests as they walked along the East Gallery to attend the banquet.
Beckham was invited because of his close relationship with Qatar after acting as a paid ambassador for the country when it hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup, which netted him a reported £10 million.
Queen pictured in Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara which belonged to the late Queen
20:45 , Jacob PhillipsThe Queen was wearing a deep red velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare and the Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara, which belonged to the late Queen, for the state banquet.
Her diamond earrings were from her private collection and her diamond necklace also belonged to Elizabeth II.
She also wore a ruby and diamond bracelet and the family orders of both the late Queen and King Charles III – miniature portraits of the monarchs on ribbons.
The Duchess of Edinburgh wore a Suzannah dress with diamond and aquamarine tiara, which is part of the Royal Collection.
King and Queen arrive for state banquet with the Emir of Qatar
20:43 , Jacob PhillipsThe King and Queen posed for pictures with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al-Thani as they arrived for a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace.
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David and Victoria Beckham join King and Queen at Qatari state banquet
20:37 , Jacob PhillipsShowbiz royalty David and Victoria Beckham are attending their first state banquet at Buckingham Palace as they joined the King and Queen for the glittering affair in honour of the Qatari ruler.
The ex-England captain and the former Spice Girl turned fashion designer – dubbed “Posh and Becks” – were among the 170 guests in the Palace ballroom on Tuesday evening.
Beckham was invited because of his close relationship with Qatar after acting as a paid ambassador for the country when it hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup, which netted him a reported £10 million.
But he faced fierce criticism over the connection because of Qatar’s criminalisation of same-sex relationships.
Beckham and former Posh Spice, Victoria, will dine on a menu of Windsor pheasant, Cornish lobsters and a Balmoral plum sorbet, joining guests such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales.
State banquet to begin shortly
18:53 , Matt WattsThe King is to host a state banquet for the Emir of Qatar and his wife as the final event of the first day of their visit.
Kate will not attend the state banquet hosted by Charles in the palace's ballroom, although William will be a guest.
Kate has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was "doing what I can to stay cancer free".
The Queen is also expected to attend.
Pictured: Emir and wife view the Crown Jewels
16:32 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Pictured: Emir of Qatar and wife visit Westminster Abbey
16:04 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, have been given a tour of Westminster Abbey, by Dean of Westminster David Hoyle.
Royal party had lunch in Blue Drawing Room
15:31 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe royal party and their VIP guests had lunch in the Blue Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace.
Afterwards, the King led the Emir and his guests into the Picture Gallery, where Christmas trees, decked out in white lights and golden baubles, were on show high above the grand doorways.
Following behind was the Queen, in a blue tartan dress, accompanying Sheikha Jawaher, who was dressed in a vivid red floor-length gown.
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, who arrived at the Palace after the ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade wearing knee-high boots, had swapped her boots for burgundy stilettos.
William stuck close to Kate’s side as they viewed the small displays of exhibits together.
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 pointed at a gold mantel clock featuring a bronze model of a horse, which was given by Sheik Tamin to the King as the Prince of Wales in 2010.
She also peered closely at a set of photographic prints by Dutch photographer Robert Van Hilst which capture the spirit of Doha’s historic market Souq Waqif.
The princess, 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 was the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Duke of Gloucester and the Duke of Kent.
'Flexibility' required in Queen's diary over Qatar visit, says palace
14:25 , Josh SalisburyQueen Camilla is missing part of today’s state visit because of a recovery from pneumonia.
A royal source told the PA news agency: "Some days the Queen is on really good form. It's just one of those things.
"She has lost the coughing but the lingering side of it is bouts of extreme tiredness.
"There has to be a degree of flex in the Queen's diary at the moment."
Camilla's chest infection was pneumonia
13:58 , Josh SalisburyThe Queen has told guests at the Qatari state visit that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia.
Camilla is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover.
It is understood Camilla's condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia.
The Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade earlier.
Instead, she arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly beforehand, giving a smile as she stepped from her car at the Grand Entrance.
Camilla, 77, waited for the Emir of Qatar and his wife inside, in the warm surroundings of the Grand Hall.
She contracted her chest infection after a long haul trip to Australia and Samoa and has pulled out a series of engagements since then.
Royal Family release footage of Emir being welcomed to Palace
13:55 , Josh SalisburyThe Royal Family has released footage of the moment the Emir of Qatar was welcomed alongside his wife to Buckingham Palace.
King Charles appeared to be in deep conversation with Sheikh Tamim, while Queen Camilla was also filmed greeting Sheikha Jawaher.
The King and Queen, joined by The Prince and Princess of Wales, have welcomed Their Highnesses The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher of Qatar to Buckingham Palace.#StateVisit pic.twitter.com/Cxb0sfHj9E
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) December 3, 2024
Pictured: King Charles and Emir of Qatar appear to share warm rapport
13:29 , Lydia Chantler-HicksKing Charles and the Emir of Qatar appeared to share a friendly relationship as they greeted one another in Whitehall this morning, before processing to Buckingham Palace.
Military pomp and pageantry was on display for the ceremonial welcome for the visiting head of state Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher.
The Emir, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from Sandhurst military academy, which princes William and Harry also attended.
He set up Qatar Sports Investments in 2005, which owns the French football team Paris Saint-Germain.
The Emir has visited the UK on eight occasions between 2014 and 2023.
In 2022, he was a guest at the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, while last year he and his wife were present for the coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.
In December, Charles met the Emir at the COP28 summit in Dubai.
Royals and guests pictured arriving at Buckingham Palace
13:11 , Lydia Chantler-HicksPhotos show the moment the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher arrived at Buckingham Palace following a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards parade.
They were joined by King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales
Pictured: Queen Camilla arriving at Palace for lunch
12:55 , Lydia Chantler-HicksPhotos show the moment Queen Camilla arrived at Buckingham Palace earlier this afternoon, ready to greet the Emir and his wife at the royal residence.
Camilla’s car was driven around the quadrangle to the Grand Entrance at 12.10pm.
She smiled as she stepped from the vehicle and made her way into the palace.
As we’ve reported, the Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade on the advice of doctors, after suffering post-viral fatigue following a chest infection
Royals and guests enter Buckingham Palace
12:51The Emir and his wife have now entered Buckingham Palace, along with King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Inside, they will be joined by Queen Camilla, who arrived there earlier. The Queen missed the Horse Guards Parade ceremony and carriage procession on doctors’ advice, due to the lingering effects of a chest infection.
The British royals are due to have lunch with their guests, Sheikh Tamim and Sheikha Jawaher.
They will also be part of a royal party viewing a display of items relating to Qatar in the palace’s picture gallery.
Royals and guests enter Buckingham Palace
12:50The Emir and his wife have now entered Buckingham Palace, along with King Charles and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Inside, they will be joined by Queen Camilla, who arrived there earlier. The Queen missed the Horse Guards Parade ceremony and carriage procession on doctors’ advice, due to the lingering effects of a chest infection.
The British royals are due to have lunch with their guests, Sheikh Tamim and Sheikha Jawaher.
They will also be part of a royal party viewing a display of items relating to Qatar in the palace’s picture gallery.
Watch: Moment King Charles welomes Emir of Qatar and his wife at Horse Guards Parade
12:43 , Lydia Chantler-HicksRoyal procession arrives at Buckingham Palace
12:34 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe Emir and his wife and the British royals are now arriving at Buckingham Palace in their horse-drawn carriages, following a procession along the Mall from Horse Guards Parade.
God Save the King is being played as they arrive.
Pictured: Kate greeting dignitaries
12:33Photos show the moment the Princess of Wales greeted the Prime Minister, Lord Mayor of London, and other dignitaries assembled in Horse Guards Parade for today’s welcome ceremony.
Kate is wearing a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a hat by Sahar Millinery, along with jewellery that belonged to the late Queen.
She and Prince William met the Emir of Qatar and his wife earlier this morning, before escorting them to Horse Guards Parade by car.
It marks one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer.
The princess has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.
Emir and British royals leave Horse Guards Parade
12:28 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe Emir and his wife have now left Horse Guards Parade in a horse-drawn carriage.
They are flanked by carriages containing King Charles, and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The carriages are now taking them along the Mall, from Horse Guards Parade to Buckingham Palace. The entire length of the Mall is lined with saluting members of the military.
Pictured: Royals assemble for guard of honour
12:24 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Smiling Emir carries out inspection
12:20The Emir of Qata is now walking along the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, accompanied by King Charles who is walking a couple of paces behind him.
Guard of honour formed for Emir's inspection
12:18 , Lydia Chantler-HicksSoldiers have now formed a guard of honour. The Emir will now be formally invited to carry out an inspection.
Soldiers give salute to Emir and assembled royals
12:17 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe Emir and his wife and the British royals have now lined up on the stage and are watching on as music is played and soldiers salute them.
Emir shakes hands with King Charles
12:16 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, has just stepped out of his car and ascended the steps to the stage, where he smiled broadly as he was greeted by King Charles.
The Emir is joined by his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, along with Prince William and his wife, the Princess of Wales.
The smiling Qatari royals have proceeded to greet the other assembled dignitaries, including the Prime Minister and Lord Mayor of London.
Emir of Qatar arrives with wife
12:13There’s silence in Horse Guard’s Parade as cars arrive, carrying the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.
Pictured: King Charles' arrival at Horse Guards Parade
12:07 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
King Charles greets Prime Minister
12:05 , Lydia Chantler-HicksKing Charles has stepped out of his car and walked up the steps onto a stage, where he has greeted Sir Keir Starmer, along with Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
He is also greeting the Lord Mayor of London and two sheriffs of London, Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, and other assembled dignitaries.
British national anthem played as King approaches
12:03As King Charles’ car pulls into Horse Guard’s Parade, the national anthem has been played by military musicians.
King Charles making his way up the Mall
12:01 , Lydia Chantler-HicksIt’s midday, and the King is now making his way up the Mall towards BHorse Guards Parade in a black car joined by police escorts.
Prince and Princess of Wales greet Emir of Qatar and his wife, on behalf of King
12:00The Prince and Princess of Wales have greeted the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani at the Emir’s private residence earlier this morning on behalf of the King.
It was Kate’s first appearance at a state visit since her cancer diagnosis.
She was pictured smiling in a fitted burgundy coat and hat alongside William and the VIP guests inside the residence in London.
Kate, wearing a pearl necklace and with her hair in a low chignon, was seen in conversation with Sheikha Jawaher.
The royal party are now making their way to Horse Guards Parade by car for the traditional ceremonial welcome where they will be met by the King, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other senior government figures.
Pictured: PM arriving with foreign secretary and home secretary
11:57
Ceremony begins
11:55 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe ceremony is now underway in Horse Guard’s Parade. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has just arrived, along wiht Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
The Lord Mayor of London is also present, awaiting the arrival of the Qatari royals who are due in a few minutes.
Soldiers are lined up to honour the Emir with a guard of honour, and a military band is playing.
Kate and William pictured arriving
11:49The Prince and Princess of Wales have now arrived for the welcoming ceremony.
Pictured: Soldiers line up outside Buckingham Palace
11:47 , Lydia Chantler-Hicks
Human rights campaigners protest against state visit
11:25 , Lydia Chantler-HicksHuman rights campaigners are holding a peaceful protest outside Buckingham Palace, against the state visit.
Protesters from the Peter Tatchell Foundation have been pictured holding signs reading “Qatar abuses women, LGBTs and migrants” and accusing the Emir of being a “dictator”.
At Buckingham Palace for @CityLondonNews - where the Peter Tatchell Foundation are protesting against the state visit of the Emir of #Qatar are visiting. #London #BuckinghamPalace pic.twitter.com/CWzzHNoy1h
— Tom Farmer (@TomFarmerJourno) December 3, 2024
Human rights campaigner Mr Tatchell earlier said: “Keir Starmer and King Charles should not reward the Emir with the honour of a state visit while his regime continues to victimise women, LGBTs and migrant workers,” said Mr Tatchell.
“Feting the Emir is collusion with tyranny.”
Crowds await welcoming ceremony at Buckingham Palace
11:20 , Lydia Chantler-HicksMembers of the media are assembled near Buckingham Palace, waiting for the start of what is expected to be a grand and pomp-filled welcoming ceremony.
Kate's appearance seen as 'positive sign' in royal circles
09:44 , Lydia Chantler-HicksThe Princess of Wales’ appearance at the state visit is welcomed as a “positive sign” by those in royal circles, The Standard understands.
Catherine, 42, will undertake her most significant public engagements following a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer.
The Prince and Princess of Wales are due to take part in a ceremony on Horse Guards Parade this morning.
Kate will travel with her husband in the carriage procession and the couple will join Charles and Camilla as they host a lunch for their guests Sheikh Tamim and Sheikha Jawaher.
However, Kate will not attend the state banquet hosted by the King, though William will be a guest.
State visit condemned by human rights campaigners, who are to protest near Buckingham Palace
09:24 , Lydia Chantler-HicksQatar has faced criticism over its human rights record, in particular the abuse of migrant workers during Fifa World Cup in 2022, its criminalisation of same-sex relationships, and its discrimination against women.
Human rights campaigner Peter Tatchell condemned the decision to “reward” the Emir with the honour of a state visit, saying: “feting the Emir is collusion with tyranny”.
His Peter Tatchell Foundation is to stage a peaceful protest near Buckingham Palace, at Canada Gate to the right of the royal residence, this morning ready for when Sheikh Tamim arrives in the carriage procession.
“Keir Starmer and King Charles should not reward the Emir with the honour of a state visit while his regime continues to victimise women, LGBTs and migrant workers,” said Mr Tatchell.
“Feting the Emir is collusion with tyranny.”
He added: “The Qatar government is a police state dictatorship. It’s guilty of systemic homophobia, sexism and the suppression of workers’ rights and basic freedoms like free speech and the right to protest.
“This state visit sends the wrong message – that the UK prioritises trade and investment over human rights.
“The UK should be challenging Qatar’s human rights record and seeking the release of political prisoners, not rewarding its ruler with royal pageantry and red carpets.”
State visit marks start of busier week for Kate
08:51 , Lydia Chantler-HicksToday’s state visit marks the start of a busier week for the Princess of Wales, who has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.
She will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, when she is expected to be joined by her children and husband for the event.
Pictured: Qatari royals arriving at Stansted
08:13The Emir of the State of Qatar and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, arrived at Stansted Airport yesterday afternoon.
The royals were greeted in the rain by a welcome party that included members of the Armed Forces and His Majesty's Ambassador to Qatar, Neerav Patel.
Queen Camilla to miss Qatar state visit parade
07:24 , Josh SalisburyCharles will welcome Sheikh Tamim and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during a ceremony of pageantry in Whitehall later on Tuesday.
But missing will be Queen Camilla who, on Monday evening, pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection.
Camilla will join the royal party later for a private lunch with the Emir 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 Emir.
Doctors have urged Camilla, 77, to take time to rest and recover fully because of the lingering effects of the illness, contracted a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa, which include diminished reserves of energy.
She is hoping to be able to view a display of Qatari artefacts after lunch in the palace's picture gallery with her husband, the Waleses and the Emir, and at the start of the state banquet will pose for a group photo but will take a short break before dinner while guests are met in a receiving line.
Who is the Emir of Qatar?
07:12 , Josh SalisburySheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from Sandhurst military academy.
He set up Qatar Sports Investments in 2005, which owns the French football team Paris Saint-Germain.
Qatar, one of the richest Gulf states, is a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war, and there are reports the Government is hoping to seal a free-trade deal with the Gulf Co-operation Council.
But the country has faced criticism over its human rights record, in particular its criminalisation of same-sex relationships.
Qatar state visit Kate's first since cancer diagnosis
07:05 , Josh SalisburyGood morning and welcome to our live coverage of the Qatari two-day state visit.
It marks the first state visit the Princess of Wales has taken part in since her cancer diagnosis as part of her gradual return to public duties.
The princess will meet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, with William in London, and accompany them to the parade ground to be greeted by the waiting King and senior government figures.
Charles, Kate, William and their guests will afterwards take part in a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, attend a lunch and visit a Picture Gallery exhibition in the royal residence.
