The diplomatic red carpet is being rolled out for a state visit by the Emir of Qatar, with the King and the Prince and Princess of Wales leading a royal welcome.
The visiting Qatari royals were given a parade along the Mall, with Catherine part of the carriage procession, marking another stage in her return to official duties.
The state visit, an exercise in soft power, will see the Qatari royals given a private lunch at Buckingham Palace, followed by a visit to the Houses of Parliament and a state banquet on Tuesday evening.
Human Rights Watch has said the state visit should not ignore Qatar’s “troubling rights record”.
The Princess of Wales is involved in a state visit for the first time since ending the chemotherapy treatment that followed her cancer diagnosis.
The King and Prince and Princess of Wales are leading a royal welcome as the Emir of Qatar extends the diplomatic red carpet for a state visit.
In another step toward her return to official duties, Catherine was included in the carriage procession that led the visiting Qatari royals in a parade along the Mall.
The state visit, which is an exercise in soft power, will include a state banquet on Tuesday night, a visit to the Houses of Parliament, and a private lunch at Buckingham Palace for the Qatari royals.
Though Qatar’s record on LGBT rights has drawn criticism, a small group of protesters yelled “Qatar’s anti-gay shame” as the royal carriages passed.
With the flags of both nations flying along the Mall, tourists held up their phones to snap pictures of the UK and Qatari royals as they made their way to Buckingham Palace in the winter sunshine.
The outdoor portions of the reception were skipped by Queen Camilla, who is reportedly experiencing “diminished reserves of energy” due to a chest infection. However, she is still attending events in Buckingham Palace later in the day, such as the state banquet.
State visits offer hospitality to a significant international partner on a grand scale, combining ceremonial rites with pragmatic politics.
Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani’s visit to the United Kingdom started Monday at Stansted airport in wet conditions.
But from the pageantry of marching bands to a meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street, the UK government will be making a concerted effort over the next two days to foster good relations with Qatar.
The banquet at the palace will serve both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, despite the fact that the guests from Qatar are from a Muslim nation.
The UK Foreign Office, which makes recommendations about which nations should be invited for state visits, claims that Qatar is a vital defense ally and that the UK and the gas-rich Gulf state have £6.6 billion in annual trade, with £40 billion in Qatari investment in the UK economy.
Although the role was halted last month, Qatar has served as a mediator in negotiations over the Gaza conflict.
He has also visited the UK at least eight times in the last ten years, making the Emir a frequent visitor. He attended Sandhurst Military Academy and went to school in the UK.
Qatar, which will host the 2022 World Cup, has been viewed as a crucial link between the West and the Middle East.
Strong military ties exist. According to the Foreign Office, the UK and Qatar have the first joint RAF squadron since World War II, a joint RAF Typhoon squadron based at RAF Coningsby.
Qatar is described as a “small country which plays an outsized role in global affairs” by Caroline Hawley, a diplomatic correspondent for the BBC.
“The Gulf state has high-profile investments in the UK and is among the wealthiest nations in the Middle East due to its natural gas reserves.
“The upscale London hotel Claridge’s, the Shard, and Harrods are all owned by Qatar. Additionally, it owns sizable stakes in Heathrow Airport and Sainsbury’s,” our correspondent adds.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation, which has criticized Qatar’s record on women’s rights, LGBT rights, and the treatment of migrant workers, has been among those protesting this week’s visit.
Human Rights Watch has stated that Qatar’s “troubling rights record” should not be disregarded during the state visit.
The British government responds that it opposes discrimination based on gender or sexual orientation and that it regularly talks with its Qatari counterparts about human rights.
After a military inspection and ceremonial reception on Horse Guards Parade, the Qatari royals were given a gun salute in Green Park and escorted to Buckingham Palace in a limousine.
For the first time since finishing the chemotherapy that followed her cancer diagnosis, the Princess of Wales is taking part in a state visit.
She joined the King, Queen, and other high-ranking royals for a private lunch at the Palace.
Following their transportation to Westminster Abbey, the Qatari guests will be shown the Houses of Parliament, where the Emir will address members of the House of Commons and the House of Lords.
The centerpiece of these state visits is the state banquet, held in the magnificent ballroom of Buckingham Palace, where the King and Emir will deliver speeches in front of high-ranking officials from both nations.
Although the Princess of Wales will not attend the banquet, Starmer will be attending this diplomatic event for the first time as prime minister.
“Our deep and longstanding relationship with Qatar is essential to the prosperity, development, and security of the United Kingdom,” a Foreign Office spokesperson stated. In order to create partnerships that benefit both parties, the UK government is dedicated to maintaining close ties with Qatar. “.
