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Kate joins royals in welcoming Emir of Qatar on state visit Kate joins royals in welcoming Emir of Qatar on state visit
(about 1 hour later)
Kate and William posed for photographs between the Emir of Qatar and his first wifeKate and William posed for photographs between the Emir of Qatar and his first wife
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 delivering a royal welcome on Tuesday morning. 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.
But Queen Camilla still has a lingering chest infection and will miss the start, while Catherine's involvement in the visit by the wealthy Gulf state marks another step in her return to official duties. 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's exercise in soft power will see the visiting Qatari royals given a carriage procession along The Mall, a visit to the Houses of Parliament and a banquet at Buckingham Palace. 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.
But there have been threats of protest during the visit over Qatar's record on LGBT rights. But there have been criticisms over Qatar's record on LGBT rights - and a small group of protesters shouted "Qatar's anti-gay shame" as the royal carriages went past.
The Queen will greet the Emir and his wife at Buckingham Palace, but is missing the outdoor part of the ceremony In the winter sunshine, tourists held up their phones to take photos as the UK and Qatari royals went along the Mall to Buckingham Palace, with flags of both countries hung along the route.
Queen Camilla, who is said to have "diminished reserves of energy" after a chest infection, has missed the outdoor parts of the reception, but is attending events in Buckingham Palace later in the day, including the state banquet.
During the visit, she told guests her infection was a viral form of pneumonia, which she no longer has.
The Queen pulled out of a number of public engagements last month after contracting a chest infection following a trip back from Australia and Samoa.
The Queen is missing the outdoor part of the ceremony, after revealing she has had a form of pneumonia
The Princess of Wales wore jewellery that belonged to the late QueenThe Princess of Wales wore jewellery that belonged to the late Queen
Crowds have begun to gather on the Mall to watch the royal carriage procession and military parade.
Queen Camilla, who is said to have "diminished reserves of energy" after a chest infection, will miss the outdoor parts of the reception on Horse Guards Parade and the carriage ride, but will attend events in Buckingham Palace later in the day, including the state banquet.
State visits are a mix of elaborate ceremony and practical politics, offering hospitality on a grand scale to an important international partner.State visits are a mix of elaborate ceremony and practical politics, offering hospitality on a grand scale to an important international partner.
The visit to the UK by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani began on Monday in damp weather at Stansted airport.The visit to the UK by Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani began on Monday in damp weather at Stansted airport.
But over the next two days, there will be a carefully choreographed effort by the UK government to build warm relations with Qatar, from the pageantry of marching bands to a Downing Street meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.But over the next two days, there will be a carefully choreographed effort by the UK government to build warm relations with Qatar, from the pageantry of marching bands to a Downing Street meeting with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The Qatari visitors are from a Muslim country but it won't be an alcohol-free banquet at the palace, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks being served.The Qatari visitors are from a Muslim country but it won't be an alcohol-free banquet at the palace, with both alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks being served.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and ministers Yvette Cooper and David Lammy joined the cermeonyPrime Minister Keir Starmer and ministers Yvette Cooper and David Lammy joined the cermeony
The UK Foreign Office, which advises on which countries are invited for a state visit, says Qatar is a key defence partner and that trade between the UK and the gas-rich Gulf state is worth £6.6bn per year, with £40bn of Qatari investment in the UK economy.The UK Foreign Office, which advises on which countries are invited for a state visit, says Qatar is a key defence partner and that trade between the UK and the gas-rich Gulf state is worth £6.6bn per year, with £40bn of Qatari investment in the UK economy.
Qatar has been a mediator in talks over the conflict in Gaza, though the role was suspended last month.Qatar has been a mediator in talks over the conflict in Gaza, though the role was suspended last month.
And the country's Emir has been a regular visitor to the UK, coming here at least eight times in the past decade. He studied at school in the UK and attended Sandhurst military academy.And the country's Emir has been a regular visitor to the UK, coming here at least eight times in the past decade. He studied at school in the UK and attended Sandhurst military academy.
Qatar has been seen as an important bridge between the West and the Middle East, hosting events such as the 2022 World Cup.Qatar has been seen as an important bridge between the West and the Middle East, hosting events such as the 2022 World Cup.
There are close military ties. The UK and Qatar have a joint RAF Typhoon squadron based at RAF Coningsby - the first joint RAF squadron since World War II, says the Foreign Office.There are close military ties. The UK and Qatar have a joint RAF Typhoon squadron based at RAF Coningsby - the first joint RAF squadron since World War II, says the Foreign Office.
BBC diplomatic correspondent Caroline Hawley describes Qatar as a "small country which plays an outsized role in global affairs".BBC diplomatic correspondent Caroline Hawley describes Qatar as a "small country which plays an outsized role in global affairs".
"Thanks to its reserve of natural gas, the Gulf state is also one of the richest countries in the Middle East, with high-profile investments in the UK."Thanks to its reserve of natural gas, the Gulf state is also one of the richest countries in the Middle East, with high-profile investments in the UK.
"Qatar owns Harrods, the Shard, and the luxury London hotel Claridge’s. And it has significant shares in Sainsbury’s and Heathrow Airport," says our correspondent."Qatar owns Harrods, the Shard, and the luxury London hotel Claridge’s. And it has significant shares in Sainsbury’s and Heathrow Airport," says our correspondent.
There have been calls for a peaceful protest against this week's visit by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which has criticised Qatar's record on LGBT rights, women's rights and the treatment of migrant workers. There have been protests against this week's visit, including by the Peter Tatchell Foundation, which has criticised Qatar's record on LGBT rights, women's rights and the treatment of migrant workers.
Human Rights Watch has said the state visit should not ignore Qatar's "troubling rights record".Human Rights Watch has said the state visit should not ignore Qatar's "troubling rights record".
In response, the UK government says it regularly discusses human rights with its Qatari counterparts and is opposed to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender.In response, the UK government says it regularly discusses human rights with its Qatari counterparts and is opposed to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender.
The Qatari royals will receive a ceremonial reception and military inspection, followed by a carriage parade to Buckingham Palace. The Qatari royals received a ceremonial reception and military inspection on Horse Guards Parade, followed by a carriage parade to Buckingham Palace and a gun salute in Green Park.
The Princess of Wales will be part of the horse-drawn procession, taking part in a state visit for the first time since ending the chemotherapy treatment that followed her cancer diagnosis. The Princess of Wales is involved in a state visit for the first time since ending the chemotherapy treatment that followed her cancer diagnosis.
She will join a private lunch at the Palace, along with the King, Queen and other senior royals. She joined a private lunch at the Palace, along with the King, Queen and other senior royals.
The Qatari visitors will be brought to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, where the Emir will speak to representatives of the House of Commons and House of Lords. The Qatari visitors will be brought later to Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament, where the Emir will speak to representatives of the House of Commons and House of Lords.
The centrepiece of such state visits is the state banquet, where the King and Emir will give speeches in front of dignitaries from both countries, in the grand setting of the Buckingham Palace ballroom.The centrepiece of such state visits is the state banquet, where the King and Emir will give speeches in front of dignitaries from both countries, in the grand setting of the Buckingham Palace ballroom.
The Princess of Wales won't be at the banquet but it will be the first time Starmer will have been at this diplomatic showcase as prime minister.The Princess of Wales won't be at the banquet but it will be the first time Starmer will have been at this diplomatic showcase as prime minister.
A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our strong, historic ties with Qatar are vital to UK prosperity, growth and security. The UK government is committed to continued strong relations with Qatar to deliver partnerships of mutual value."A Foreign Office spokesman said: "Our strong, historic ties with Qatar are vital to UK prosperity, growth and security. The UK government is committed to continued strong relations with Qatar to deliver partnerships of mutual value."
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