David and Victoria Beckham were among tonight’s guests at a glittering state banquet in honour of the Qatar royals.
King Charles and Queen Camilla recently held a grand reception for the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and one of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher. The dignitaries were visiting the country for a two-day state visit.
It is understood that former England star David was invited because of his role as an ambassador for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.
During the reception, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani was seated next to Naseer Al-Khelaifi, a prominent Qatari businessman and the President of the French football club PSG. This seating arrangement provided the two men with ample opportunities for engaging conversations.
Perhaps mischievously on his right was new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, also attending her first State Banquet.
Beckham, it should be noted, also played right wing.
Victoria, a former member of the Spice Girls and now a powerful figure, was seated even closer to the ‘top table’ than her husband. Positioned on the right side of the horse shoe-shaped dining table, her seating highlighted her remarkable journey from pop stardom to a position of influence.
She had The Lord Levy on her left – appropriately not only a peer but a former CEO of a large group of independent music companies – and Lord Darzi, knighted for his services to medicine and surgery, on her right.
The seating plan is organised by Buckingham Palace’s Master of the Household’s Department in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, who fund the State Visit.
And it will surely add only fuel to the fire of speculation that David Beckham will be knighted in the near future.
The banquet was the dazzling culmination of a day of pomp and pageantry, honouring the Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher – who landed at London’s Stansted airport yesterday.
The palace ballroom was decorated with a riot of seasonal flowers and foliage in red, reflecting the Qatari flag, arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces taken from the Grand Service from Windsor Home Park and the Orchard Garden at the glasshouses in Windsor.
The flowers are donated the next day to hospices, care home and shelters through Floral Angels, a charity of which Queen Camilla is patron.
Other senior royals present included Prince Anne, who was seated on the top table with the King, Queen and Prince of Wales, as well as the Qatari dignitaries.
The Duke and Duchesses of Edinburgh and Gloucester were also present.
Addressing the gathering, King Charles paid tribute to the ‘unique, shared history’ of Britain and Qatar, which stretches back over 160 years.
He said: ‘The United Kingdom is proud to be Qatar’s oldest friend in the Western world. We have a special bond founded on mutual respect which has stood the test of time.
‘Indeed, Qatar’s role in navigating the challenges of recent years has been invaluable – from supporting evacuations from Afghanistan, to helping to keep the world moving in some of the darkest days of the pandemic.
‘Your humanity, vision and leadership matter more than I can possibly say.’
He added: ‘Your Highnesses’ visit comes at another moment of great global change.
‘We are living through significant turbulence, the climate emergency, and the white heat of a scientific and technological revolution. Just as our parents served and worked so hard to confront the challenges of their ages, so too must we.
‘And at such times of uncertainty and upheaval, old friendships assume even greater importance.
‘If I may, I would particularly like to express the United Kingdom’s deepest gratitude for your tireless mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace, in the face of unbearable heartache and suffering.
‘In these most desperate of circumstances, Qatar’s continued toil, perseverance and diplomatic efforts are, quite simply, beyond compare.’
The banquet menu was halal in respect of many of the guests present and while alcohol was served for those to wanted it, a ‘mocktail’ was also devised for the occasion.
The three-course menu included a tartlet of Cornish Lobster and Quails Eggs to start; Supreme of Windsor Pheasant wrapped in Savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac purée, gratinated potatoes with a soft creamy cheese from Suffolk, Truffle sauce and winter vegetables; with an Iced Bombe with Organic Samoan Vanilla Ice cream and Balmoral Plum Sorbet for desert.
In honour of the occasion, a palace ‘page of the presence’ – who is studying for a masters in wine but is also a part time mixologist – devised a special alcohol-free tipple for the occasion – dubbed a ‘Royal Mirage’ made from smoked pomegranate and ginger with a black lime garnish.
Ahead of the banquet, King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the Emir of Qatar and his wife for a group photograph on the steps of Buckingham Palace ahead of a lavish state banquet in honour of the visiting royals.
Camilla, 77, paid tribute to the Queen Elizabeth II as she paired her red velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare with, unusually, the diamond kokoshnik tiara belonging to the late monarch.
She was wearing diamond earrings are from her private collection, while her necklace, also belonged to Queen Elizabeth.
She also sported a ruby and diamond bracelet and the family orders of both Queen Elizabeth and King Charles.
A video shared on the Royal Family’s official X account earlier in the day showed Charles and Camilla – who was forced to scale back her appearances during the state visit due to the ‘lingering’ effects of a ‘nasty’ chest infection – inspecting the opulent arrangements before the arrival of their guests.
The first day of the Qatar state visit also marked one of Kate’s most high-profile public appearance since starting her cancer treatment.
Kate joined Prince William as the royal couple greeted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, on behalf of King Charles III in London.
She then travelled from the Emir’s private residence to the ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade. The women travelled in one chauffeur-driven car while the men travelled in another and the waiting King warmly greeted his guests on a dais.
The Princess wore a coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a hat by Sahar Millinery, with a pearl necklace that belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II .
Kate is carrying out even more royal duties than previously planned at today’s state visit in London amid what is being seen as a ‘positive sign’ in royal circles.
Meanwhile Queen Camilla has been forced to scale back her involvement due to ill health, and travelled straight to the palace today – missing the ceremonial welcome.
Camilla’s car was driven around the quadrangle to the Grand Entrance, and she smiled as she stepped from the vehicle and made her way into the palace.
Around the same time, at Horse Guards Parade, Charles welcomed the Qataris for a ceremony of pomp and pageantry.
The King was received at the Royal Pavilion by Sir Kenneth Olisa, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.
The Silver Stick in Waiting, Brigadier Mark Berry, and the Field Officer in Brigade Waiting, Colonel Guy Stone, were also present.
Looking relaxed, the King spoke to guests on the royal dais including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Foreign Secretary David Lammy.
A guard of honour was formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards stood waiting in two ranks to be inspected by the Qataris.
The 76-year-old monarch then made a number of presentations before inviting the Emir to inspect the Guard of Honour as the Qatari national anthem was played.
As they got out of their cars, William affectionately placed his hand on his wife’s back while they stood on the dais.
Kate then turned to the King and offered him a deep curtsy before the five greeted officials in the line up.
More than 900 soldiers, including nearly 200 Army musicians and 100 members of the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery turned out at Horse Guards in honour of the guests.
For this State Visit the format has been adjusted slightly to allow The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery to play a more visible role, not least because the Emir adores his horses and passed out of Sandhurst as a young man.
A Guard of Honour was formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with The King’s Colour, accompanied by the Band of the Regiment.
After the King invited a decidedly delighted-looking Emir to inspect the Guard of Honour, William and Catherine remained on the stage chatting animatedly to the Sheikha.
The royal party then departed Horse Guards in a spectacular carriage procession, accompanied by a Sovereign’s Escort of the Household Cavalry.
Later at Buckingham Palace, the King arrived at the Grand Entrance in the Irish State Coach with his visitors to the sound of the Qatar and British national anthems.
Waiting inside in the warm in the Grand Hall was the Queen.
In the second carriage, the Australian State Coach, were the Prince and Princess of Wales with the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.
Sheikh Mohammed stepped from the carriage first, followed by William, with both turning to wait for Kate.
The princess stepped carefully from the state coach in her knee-high high heeled boots.
The Waleses walked side by side chatting to one another, with Kate carrying a small matching burgundy handbag and a pair of gloves, as they made their way up the red carpeted steps of the Grand Entrance.
More pomp and pageantry awaited as they arrived at the Palace to a second Guard of Honour and a rendition of both the British and Qatari national anthem.
Camilla was waiting inside to greet her guests but did not step outside because of her illnesses.
The queen was forced to recuse herself from the ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade on doctor’s advice because she is still suffering from the ‘lingering’ side-effects of a ‘nasty viral chest infection’.
The 77-year-old royal, who fell ill a month ago, is said to be feeling particularly ‘fatigued’ – but a palace spokesperson confirmed she will attend the other elements of the state visit as planned.
Today’s state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal ‘soft diplomacy’ in action.
Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are ‘deeply honoured’ the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles’ accession.
The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain – first at Sherborne and then Harrow – followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions.
The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology.
However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers.
The couple landed in the UK at London Stansted Airport yesterday where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood.
