The Amir of the State of Qatar will be in the UK until Wednesday evening (Image: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)
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The Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, for a two-day state visit.
This will be hosted at Buckingham Palace by the King and Queen, and will be the last state visit to be held at the Palace until .
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who took on his duties from 2013, last visited the UK in 2023 for the King’s Coronation. He will be in the UK until Wednesday evening.
A number of activities welcome the royal guests, including the highlight: a glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace.
Other notable events include a ceremonial welcome at Horse Guards Parade and a visit to the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst.
Here Express.co.uk takes a closer look at the programme of events:
A carriage procession will take place (Image: PAUL ELLIS/AFP via Getty Images)
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Monday December 2
The Amir of the State of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani will arrive in the UK on Monday afternoon, with their flight set to land at London Stansted Airport.
Their Highnesses will be greeted by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar.
They will then be greeted by the Viscount Hood, Lord in Waiting, on behalf of The King and Queen Camilla.
Read more:
A state banquet will take place (Image: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
Tuesday December 3
Tuesday marks the first official day of the state visit, which will begin with t at their residence on behalf of The King.
The two couples will then travel to Horse Guards Parade, where The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will receive a Ceremonial Welcome.
The King and Queen will formally welcome Their Highnesses at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade in a fine display of pomp and pageantry. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Qatari National Anthem will be played.
The Amir and The King will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, with the Band of the Regiment.
The three royal couples with then travel in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will see a second Guard of Honour formed of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Irish Guards. As the carriages arrive at Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Irish Guards will play the Qatari and British National Anthems.
Inside the Palace, lunch will be served and afterwards, the royal guests will be treated to a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain Foundation relating to Qatar.
The state visit will have a ceremonial welcome (Image: Kin Cheung – WPA Pool/Getty Images)
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In the afternoon, The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will then visit Westminster Abbey, where Their Highnesses will take a tour of the Abbey accompanied by the Dean of Westminster and the Chapter.
His Highness will then travel to Palace of Westminster where he will be greeted on arrival by Black Rod, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. In the Royal Robing Room, His Highness will address gathered Parliamentarians and other invited guests before joining a reception with Members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament.
At Kensington Palace, The Amir will then be received by The Prince of Wales alone.
In the evening, The King, accompanied by The Queen and Members of the Royal Family will give a State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for The Amir of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani. Unfortunately, Princess Kate will not be in attendance.
We can expect glittering tiaras, grand ball gowns and some of the Royal Family’s finest jewels worn by the female royals.
The King and The Amir will make speeches to those gathered at the beginning of the Banquet.
Princess Kate and Prince William will be part of the state visit (Image: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
Wednesday December 4
On the final day of the short state visit, The Amir will visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst where he will meet contemporaries from the Amir’s time at Sandhurst and Qatari cadets.
The Amir will also meet representatives from 11 Sqn based at RAF Leeming who are delivering advanced and high-speed jet training to Qatari Emiri Air Force and RAF pilots in Hawk Mk167 aircrafts. His Highness will also view a flypast on Parade Square.
After this, The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will then travel to Buckingham Palace to formally bid farewell to The King and Queen, before His Highness visits No. 10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, Sir .
On Wednesday evening, The Amir, joined by The Duke of Gloucester, will attend a dinner at Mansion House hosted by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor and The Amir will both make speeches at the end of the dinner.
The Lord Chamberlain will then bid farewell to The Amir on behalf of The King, before His Highness departs from London Stansted Airport. Her Highness will depart privately, Buckingham Palace has confirmed.