Prince and Princess of Wales meet the Emir of Qatar in controversial UK trip
The Princess of Wales and the Prince of Wales were all smiles as they met with the Emir of Qatar for the beginning of his controversial UK trip.
Kate Middleton, on her most significant return to royal duties since her cancer diagnosis, was pictured smiling in a fitted burgundy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen coat and a hat by Sarah Millinery.
Today’s proceedings will see The Prince and Princess of Wales and the King greet the Emir of Qatar in London, but the Queen will not be in attendance due to the ‘lingering side effects’ of a chest infection.
Kate and Will were the first of the royal family to greet their Middle Eastern guests inside the London residence.
The King was pictured arriving at the Horse Guards Parade at midday to a Guard of Honour and the national anthem.
The Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, were greeted by the King at the Pavilion to a royal salute of 41 guns.
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Charles, William and Kate are set to take their guests, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, on a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace and to a Picture Gallery exhibition in the royal residence.
Queen Camilla was pictured being driven to Buckingham Palace, where she will attend a banquet with the Emir.
The Palace confirmed that the Queen, 77, will not attend the carriage ride as she recovers from the ‘lingering’ affects of a chest infection.
Camilla, 77, is said to be dealing with ‘diminished reserves of energy.’
Kate’s appearance today is one of just a few following her successful treatment.
The princess has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, saying her focus is on ‘staying cancer free.’
Kate though, will not attend the day’s banquet with Charles, Camilla and William.
Today’s proceedings are part of a two-day visit from the Emir, who was actually educated in Britain at Sherborne and Harrow public schools.
Tomorrow will see the Sheikh visit Sandhurst before visiting the Palace to bid a formal farewell to the King and the Queen.
The Emir will too travel to Downing Street to meet Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Government are reportedly looking to strike a free-trade deal with Qatar, who are a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Qatar though, has faced significant criticism over its human rights record, including the abuse of migrant workers at the 2022 Fifa World Cup and its stance on same-sex relationships.
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