The Princess will assist in greeting Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani. Photo / Getty Images
The Princess will assist in greeting Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani. Photo / Getty Images
Her Royal Highness missed the Japanese Emperor’s UK visit in June but will have a role in hosting the Emir of Qatar next month.
The Princess of Wales is to take part in the forthcoming state visit of Qatar, in one of the Royal family’s most formal public duties since she began treatment for cancer.
The Princess missed the Japanese state visit in June but will have a role in hosting the Emir of Qatar alongside the King, Queen and Prince of Wales next month as she continues her recovery.
She will assist in greeting Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani at their residence on December 3, before escorting them to Horse Guards Parade in St James’s Park for the ceremonial welcome.
The Princess, who is undertaking a gradual return to work after finishing her chemotherapy, will not participate in the Buckingham Palace banquet that evening.
The King, Queen and Prince will attend, alongside other members of the Royal family, the white tie dinner, during which the women of the family traditionally wear tiaras.
The Princess’ attendance will be viewed as a further positive step in her recovery, which has so far seen her attend the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in November, alongside two semi-public engagements with bereaved families in Southport and a meeting with Liz Hatton, a young photographer.
She also appeared at Trooping the Colour and presented the Wimbledon men’s singles trophy in early summer before finishing her course of chemotherapy.
In December, she will host her fourth annual Westminster Abbey carol concert for children, the theme of which this year will be “kindness”.
The Princess attended the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph in November. Photo / Getty Images
Royal salute and Qatari national anthem
Buckingham Palace has confirmed details of the state visit of Qatar, the second state visit this year.
The King also hosted the Japanese Emperor and his wife in June, while he was receiving treatment for cancer.
The visit will see the Emir of the state of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher arrive in the UK on the afternoon of Monday, December 2 at London Stansted Airport.
On Tuesday, they will be greeted by the Prince and Princess of Wales on behalf of the King, travelling together to Horse Guards Parade, where they will be formally welcomed by the King and Queen.
As is customary, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Qatari national anthem will be played. The Emir, accompanied by the King, will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, with the Band of the Regiment.
The King, Queen, Prince, Princess, Emir and Sheikha Jawaher will travel in carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace for a second Guard of Honour, alongside lunch with members of the Royal family and their entourages.
They will then be given a short tour of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain Foundation relating to Qatar, in the Picture Gallery.
The Emir and Sheikha Jawaher will see Westminster Abbey before he then visits the Palace of Westminster to address Parliamentarians.
Afterwards, the Emir will be received by the Prince of Wales at Kensington Palace.
In the evening, the King, accompanied by the Queen and members of the Royal Family, will give a state banquet at Buckingham Palace, where speeches will be made.
The evening is one of the most glamorous in the royal calendar, with the King introducing some tweaks to his late mother’s event, including sustainable flower arrangements and a bespoke cocktail related to the visiting nation. The event usually lasts late into the night.
On Wednesday, December 4, the Emir will visit Sandhurst where he trained, bid farewell to the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace and attend a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister at Downing St.
