Home Australia David and Victoria Beckham attend King’s glittering state banquet for the Emir of Qatar – as Camilla pays tribute to late Queen

David and Victoria Beckham attend King’s glittering state banquet for the Emir of Qatar – as Camilla pays tribute to late Queen

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David and Victoria Beckham arrive at the King's glittering state banquet in honor of the Emir of Qatar.

David and Victoria Beckham are among the guests tonight at the glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of the visiting Qatari royals.

While the couple had been invited to several royal events before, it was the first time they had secured a coveted invitation – one of just 170 – to the exclusive dinner honoring the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

The banquet menu was halal for many of the guests present and while alcohol was served for those who wanted it, a ‘mocktail’ was also devised for the occasion.

It is understood former England star David was invited for his role as an ambassador for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

He was sitting next to Naseer Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman and president of the French football club PSG, where the player finished his distinguished career, ensuring the two men had plenty to talk about.

Perhaps mischievously to his right was new Conservative leader Kevin Badenoch, who also attended his first state banquet.

Beckham, it should be noted, also played on the right wing.

Former Spice Girl Victoria, who sealed her stratospheric rise from pop stardom to the seat of power, was sitting even closer to the “top table” than her husband on the right side of the horseshoe-shaped dining table.

David and Victoria Beckham arrive at the King’s glittering state banquet in honor of the Emir of Qatar.

King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the Emir of Qatar and his wife for a group photo on the steps of Buckingham Palace ahead of a lavish state banquet in honor of the visiting royals.

King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the Emir of Qatar and his wife for a group photo on the steps of Buckingham Palace ahead of a lavish state banquet in honor of the visiting royals.

He had Lord Levy on his left (appropriately not just a colleague but a former chief executive of a large group of independent music companies) and Lord Darzi, knighted for his services to medicine and surgery, on his right.

The seating plan is organized by the Department of the Head of the Household at Buckingham Palace in conjunction with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is funding the state visit.

And it will surely only add 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, honoring the Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher.

The palace ballroom was decorated with an abundance of seasonal flowers and foliage in red, reflecting the flag of Qatar, arranged in silver-gold centerpieces taken from the Grand Service at Windsor Home Park and the Orchard Garden in the greenhouses of Windsor.

Flowers are donated the next day to hospices, nursing homes and refuges through Floral Angels, a charity of which Queen Camilla is patron.

Other royals present included Prince Anne, who was seated at the top table with the King, Queen and Prince of Wales, as well as Qatari dignitaries.

The Dukes of Edinburgh and Gloucester were also present.

Queen Camilla poses for a photo with the Emir of Qatar

Queen Camilla poses for a photo with the Emir of Qatar

The menu included a Cornish lobster tartlet and quail eggs to start; Windsor Pheasant Supreme wrapped in Savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac puree, potatoes gratin with soft and creamy Suffolk cheese, truffle sauce and winter vegetables; with a frozen bomb with organic Samoan vanilla ice cream and Balmoral plum sorbet for dessert.

To celebrate the occasion, a palace “presence page” who is studying a master’s degree in wine but is also a part-time mixologist, came up with a special mocktail for the occasion: a “Royal Mirage” made with smoked pomegranate and ginger with a garnish of black lime.

Before the banquet, King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the Emir of Qatar and his wife for a group photo on the steps of Buckingham Palace ahead of a lavish state banquet in honor of the visiting royals.

Camilla, 77, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as she paired her red velvet Fiona Clare evening dress with, unusually, the diamond kokoshnik tiara belonging to the late monarch.

She wore diamond earrings from her private collection, while her necklace also belonged to Queen Elizabeth.

She also wore a ruby ​​and diamond bracelet and the family orders of 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 reduce her appearances during the state visit due to the “lingering” effects of a “nasty” chest infection. “, inspecting the opulent arrangements. before the arrival of your guests.

The first day of the state visit to Qatar also marked one of Kate’s most high-profile public appearances since beginning 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.

Camilla, 77, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as she paired her red velvet Fiona Clare evening dress with, unusually, the diamond kokoshnik tiara belonging to the late monarch.

Camilla, 77, paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II as she paired her red velvet Fiona Clare evening dress with, unusually, the diamond kokoshnik tiara belonging to the late monarch.

He then traveled from the Emir’s private residence to the welcome ceremony at Horse Guards Parade. The women traveled in one chauffeured car while the men traveled 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 on today’s state visit to London amid what is being seen as a “positive sign” in royal circles.

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla was forced to reduce her participation due to health problems and today traveled directly to the palace, without attending the welcome ceremony.

Camilla’s car circled the quadrangle towards the Grand Entrance, and she smiled as she got out of the vehicle and headed towards the palace.

Around the same time, at the Horse Guards Parade, Carlos welcomed the Qataris in a ceremony full of pomp and pageantry.

The King was received at the Royal Pavilion by Sir Kenneth Olisa, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London.

Also present were the Silver Stick-in-waiting, Brigadier Mark Berry, and the field officer in the brigade-in-waiting, Colonel Guy Stone.

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.

The 1st Battalion Welsh Guards formed an honor guard waiting in two lines to be inspected by the Qataris.

The 76-year-old monarch then made several introductions before inviting the emir to inspect the Guard of Honor while the Qatari national anthem played.

As they got out of their cars, William affectionately put his hand on his wife’s back as they stood on the stand.

Kate then turned to the King and offered him a deep bow before the five officials saluted in line.

More than 900 soldiers, including almost 200 army musicians and 100 members of the King’s Royal Horse Artillery Troop, turned out to Horse Guards to honor the guests.

For this State Visit, the format has been adjusted slightly to allow the Royal Horse Artillery of the King’s Troop to play a more visible role, especially as the Emir loves his horses and passed out of Sandhurst when he was young.

A Guard of Honor was formed by the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in the King’s Colour, accompanied by the Regimental Band.

After the king invited a decidedly delighted-looking emir to inspect the Guard of Honour, William and Catherine remained on stage chatting animatedly with the sheikhess.

The royal party then set off with horse guards in a spectacular carriage procession, accompanied by an escort of the sovereign’s royal cavalry.

Later at Buckingham Palace, the King arrived at the Grand Entrance in the Irish State Car with his visitors to the sound of the Qatari and British national anthems.

Waiting inside, in the warm Great Hall, was the Queen.

In the second carriage, the Australian state coach, were the Prince and Princess of Wales with the Prime Minister of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani.

Sheikh Mohammed stepped out of the carriage first, followed by William, and they both turned to wait for Kate.

The princess carefully stepped out of the state carriage in her knee-high heeled boots.

The Waleses walked side by side chatting amongst themselves, with Kate carrying a small matching burgundy bag and a pair of gloves, as they walked up the red carpeted steps of the Grand Entrance.

More pomp and pageantry awaited them as they arrived at the Palace with a second Guard of Honor and a rendition of the British and Qatari national anthems.

Camilla was waiting inside to greet her guests, but did not come out due to her illness.

The Queen was forced to abstain from the welcoming ceremony 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 showcase of royal “soft diplomacy” in action.

Senior Qatari diplomats told the Mail they feel “deeply honoured” that the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state invited to a full state visit to the UK since Charles’ accession.

The country enjoys a good diplomatic relationship with the UK as the emir, 44, studied in Britain, first at Sherborne and then Harrow, followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth II, and Charles has met the emir on several occasions.

The two countries also have strong commercial, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not only through property and construction projects, but also in science and technology.

However, concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of Qatar’s ruling family and human rights, particularly as it relates to migrant workers.

The couple landed in the UK yesterday at London Stansted Airport, where they were welcomed on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, Viscount Hood.

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