Kate Middleton returns to public duties, welcomes Emir of Qatar in London
December 4, 2024, at 6:19 AM IST
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On Monday, the Princess of Wales was seen in public for a special occasion, joining the King and her husband, the Prince of Wales, to greet the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, as he arrived in the United Kingdom.
The event, filled with formal ceremonies and celebrations in central London, showcased Kate as she comfortably and gracefully welcomed the leader from the Gulf state. This was just her third official engagement since finishing her chemotherapy in September. While she did not attend the lavish state banquet in honor of the Emir, her involvement in the official welcome signaled her slow but steady comeback to public life after her fight against cancer.
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The Prince of Wales was there to offer support, gently placing his hand on his wife's back to comfort her during this emotional event. Meanwhile, the King was with the Queen Consort, who couldn’t attend the formal welcoming ceremony because she was still recovering from a recent case of pneumonia. Although she missed the public part of the event, Camilla later met up with the royal family for a private lunch at Buckingham Palace with the Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, where they also looked at some Qatari artifacts.
The standout moment of the evening came when the King delivered a speech at the banquet, commending Qatar for its important role in mediating the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. Speaking directly to Sheikh Tamim, he expressed, “I would like to take this opportunity to convey the United Kingdom’s sincere appreciation for your dedicated efforts in mediating peace over the last year, despite facing immense heartbreak and suffering. We all share this responsibility.” The King's address also reflected religious themes from both the Koran and the Bible, highlighting peace and justice as common values for both the UK and Qatar.
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The Emir responded with sincere honors to the late Queen Elizabeth II, remembering her 2010 statement that the Qatari people are “longtime and cherished friends” of the UK. He praised the King for his dedication to promoting interfaith discussions, working for peace, and safeguarding the environment. In a heartfelt moment, the Emir shared his wishes for the King's ongoing recovery as he undergoes treatment for cancer.
At the banquet, celebrity duo David and Victoria Beckham were present. The ex-captain of the England football team has strong connections to Qatar, as he acted as a World Cup ambassador for the nation. The Emir's trip was packed with activities, including a visit to Sandhurst Military Academy and a meeting at Downing Street with Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer on the last day of his stay.
The visit was not without its share of controversy. Polly Truscott from Amnesty International stressed that it's crucial to acknowledge Qatar’s human rights record even amid the formal events. The country has received considerable backlash for how it treats migrant workers, particularly in the run-up to the 2022 World Cup, and for its laws against same-sex relationships. Truscott highlighted the importance of discussing these matters alongside the festivities surrounding the visit.
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Although there were some objections, the Emir's trip highlighted Qatar's significant presence in global affairs, especially in terms of diplomacy and its strengthening economic ties with the UK. Discussions about a possible free-trade deal between Qatar and the Gulf Cooperation Council were also part of the talks.
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