The King has acknowledged the “deep, personal, and historic” connections shared between our “two esteemed nations” while hosting the Emir of Qatar at a formal dinner at Buckingham Palace.
The British sovereign is accompanied by the Queen, who has been absent from the outdoor engagements during the two-day state visit as she recuperates from pneumonia.
Prince William is present at the dinner without Kate, who has only recently resumed limited public engagements following treatment for an unspecified type of cancer initiated in February.
Beyond the Royal Family, David and Victoria Beckham are among the 170 attendees at the formal gathering in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace.
Mr. Beckham was spotted seated next to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch in the dining area.
The Emir is accompanied by the first of his three spouses – Sheikha Jawaher.
The King and Queen alongside the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher prior to the state banquet. Pic: Reuters
David and Victoria Beckham walking toward the Buckingham Palace ballroom. Pic: Reuters
The King commenced with a speech declaring to the Emir that it brings him the “greatest possible joy” to receive him at the palace.
He elaborated: “In many aspects, this evening can be viewed as a homecoming, Your Highness is well acquainted with these lands, having spent much of your formative years at three of our most esteemed institutions: Sherborne, Harrow, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Your numerous visits since then have underscored the strong personal connections binding our countries and our families.”
David Beckham alongside Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch
In what appeared to be a nod to Qatar’s mediating role between Israel and Hamas amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the King expressed to the Emir: “I wish to extend the United Kingdom’s sincere appreciation for your unwavering mediation efforts over the past year in the pursuit of peace, amidst the most unbearable anguish and suffering.
“In these extremely challenging circumstances, Qatar’s ongoing dedication, resilience, and diplomatic initiatives are, quite simply, invaluable.”
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Pic: Reuters
Mr. Beckham, a former England football captain, was invited to the banquet due to his strong association with Qatar, stemming from his role as a paid ambassador during the nation’s hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Cup.
He reportedly earned £10 million but faced substantial backlash regarding the association due to Qatar’s prohibition of same-sex relations.
As per the tradition for couples attending state banquets, the Beckhams are seated apart, on opposing sides of the table.
Princess Anne with the Emir of Qatar and the King. Pic: Reuters
Mrs. Beckham, a former member of the Spice Girls and fashion entrepreneur, is positioned between Labour peer Lord Levy and surgeon and ex-health minister Lord Darzi of Denham.
The attendees, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, will enjoy a menu starting with a delicate tartlet of Cornish lobster accompanied by quail eggs and organic salad greens.
This will be succeeded by supreme Windsor pheasant encased in savoy cabbage, served with roasted celeriac purée, gratinated potatoes with a soft creamy cheese sourced from Suffolk, truffle sauce, and a variety of winter vegetables.
Dessert will feature a frozen bombe filled with organic Samoan vanilla ice cream and Balmoral Plum Sorbet.
Guests will also have the opportunity to enjoy a unique mocktail after dinner called the Royal Mirage, crafted from smoked pomegranate and ginger, garnished with black lime.
This non-alcoholic beverage mirrors the colors of the Qatari flag and acknowledges the fact that the Emir and his delegation abstain from alcohol.
Under the King’s reign, a new mocktail has been designed for each state banquet.
The Queen at the state banquet. Pic: Reuters
Finishing touches are applied to seasonal flowers on the tables in the ballroom of Buckingham Palace. Pic: Reuters
Entertainment was provided by the Hiraeth String Quartet and the King’s Harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans, featuring pieces such as Moondance by Van Morrison and selections from the film La La Land.
Simultaneously, festive blooms reflecting the red and white of the Qatari flag, alongside the celebratory season, were displayed in the ballroom.
Striking scarlet amaryllis served as a centerpiece, rising prominently in silver-gilt arrangements from the Grand Service, complemented by bright winterberries, hydrangeas, red nerines, and black tulips gathered from Windsor Home Park and the Orchard Garden at the glasshouses in Windsor.
Following the banquet, the flowers will be donated to the charity Floral Angels, of which Camilla is a patron, and distributed to hospices, senior care facilities, and shelters.
Previously, the King and Queen surveyed the venue, personally inspecting the grand, ornately decorated horseshoe-shaped table.
