Qatar state visit: What's on the menu for banquet at the Palace?

King Praises Qatar's Peace Efforts And Menu Unveiled

During a lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace, King Charles commended his Qatari guests for their relentless efforts in mediation over the past year aimed at achieving peace.

The Emir of Qatar is currently visiting the UK, where the King emphasized the important part that the Gulf nation plays in mediating the Gaza conflict and securing the release of Israeli hostages.

The luxurious diplomatic welcome was extended to the affluent, gas-rich nation, known for its close economic and military relationships with the UK.

Queen Camilla, who shared that she had been recuperating from a type of pneumonia, made her appearance at the state banquet after missing the outdoor segments of the formal welcome.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer (right) and Qatar's Education Minister Lolwah Rashid Al Khater (left) as they head to the state banquet.

State banquets are a highlight of these visits, taking place in the elegant ballroom of Buckingham Palace, featuring a stunning dinner set with 4,000 pieces.

For the first time, Sir Keir Starmer sat at the main table as prime minister, sharing the platform with the King, Queen, and Prince of Wales, alongside the Qatari royal couple, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.

Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch was next to David Beckham, who was sitting beside Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the president of Paris St-Germain football club.

Earlier, David Beckham was spotted walking hand in hand with his wife Victoria as they made their way to the banquet.

David and Victoria Beckham walked in together, holding hands.

The guests were seated at beautifully arranged tables, where microphones jutted out from the floral arrangements of those addressing the audience at the head table.

For the starter, we enjoyed a delightful tartlet featuring Cornish lobster and quail eggs. The main course consisted of pheasant encased in Savoy cabbage, served with roasted celeriac puree, cheesy potato gratin from Suffolk, truffle sauce, and seasonal vegetables. To finish, we indulged in a refreshing iced bombe, accompanied by organic vanilla ice cream from Samoa and a plum sorbet from Balmoral.

Every guest received a selection of five distinct glasses. For those interested in enjoying a drink, the wine menu featured options like Chapel Down Grand Reserve 2018, Puligny-Montrachet Les Nosroyes from Domaine Genot-Boulanger 2019, Chateau Lynch-Bages from Pauillac 2000, and Chateau La Tour Blanche.

Due to a renovation project taking place at the palace, this will be the final state banquet held here for the next few years. The next one is expected to take place at Windsor Castle instead.

King Charles commended Qatar for its role in facilitating dialogue and peace efforts in the Middle East.

King Charles received the Emir of Qatar and commended the nation’s role in facilitating dialogue in the Middle East.

"The King stated that Qatar's relentless hard work, determination, and diplomatic initiatives are truly priceless, especially during the most challenging times."

As a strong advocate for interfaith dialogue, the King referenced a passage from the Quran that states, “If someone saves a life, it’s like they’ve saved all of humanity.” He also shared a message from the Bible, “Blessed are those who work for peace.”

In reply, the Emir complimented the King for his initiatives promoting “interfaith discussions” and stated that the UK and Qatar share a relationship that goes beyond friendship, emphasizing their partnership.

State visits blend elaborate rituals with practical diplomacy, providing luxurious hospitality to significant international allies. They represent a form of soft power showcased through grand parades and opulent chandeliers.

This meticulously planned initiative to enhance ties with Qatar kicked off with a formal welcome at Horse Guards Parade, followed by a horse-drawn carriage journey along the Mall to Buckingham Palace.

On Wednesday, the Emir and the Prime Minister will meet at 10 Downing Street.

The Qatari royal family was transported in a carriage parade to Buckingham Palace.

Keir Starmer, along with ministers Yvette Cooper and David Lammy, attended the event.

Qatar has emerged as a vital connection between Western countries and the Middle East, serving as the venue for global events like the 2022 World Cup.

The UK Foreign Office has stated that Qatar is an important ally in defense matters. Trade between the UK and this wealthy Gulf nation reaches £6.6 billion annually, and Qatari investments in the UK economy total £40 billion.

The UK and Qatar maintain strong military connections, highlighted by their collaboration on a combined RAF Typhoon squadron stationed at RAF Coningsby. This marks the first joint RAF squadron formed since World War II, according to the Foreign Office.

Catherine, the Princess of Wales, took part in the formal welcome and carriage parade, marking her first engagement in a state visit after completing her chemotherapy treatment following her cancer diagnosis. However, she skipped the state dinner later that evening.

Check out: Kate participates in the royal visit to Qatar.

The Queen was not present at the outdoor welcome ceremony but met up with King Charles and the royal family of Qatar at Buckingham Palace.

The Queen didn’t take part in the formal reception at the cold Horse Guards Parade because she was still experiencing the effects of a chest infection.

During the state visit, she informed the guests that the chest infection she experienced was a type of pneumonia that has since resolved. However, she still occasionally deals with lingering fatigue from the virus and episodes of severe tiredness.

Qatar has faced criticism regarding its treatment of LGBT rights, with a small number of demonstrators voicing their concerns by shouting "Qatar's anti-gay shame" as the royal carriages passed through the Mall.

This week’s visit has sparked some concerns, with criticism coming from groups like the Peter Tatchell Foundation. They have expressed disappointment over Qatar’s stance on issues concerning LGBTQ+ rights, women's rights, and the treatment of migrant workers.

Human Rights Watch has emphasized that the visit must not overlook Qatar's concerning history regarding human rights.

In reply, the UK government states that it frequently engages in discussions about human rights with officials from Qatar and does not support discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender.

A spokesperson from the Foreign Office mentioned, "Our deep-rooted relationship with Qatar is essential for the UK's prosperity, development, and safety."

The UK government is dedicated to maintaining strong ties with Qatar in order to foster collaborations that benefit both parties.