King Charles III welcomed Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Tuesday, marking the start of a state visit to Britain that aims to strengthen trade and investment ties between the two countries.
The royal family, including Prince William and his wife Kate, accompanied the emir as he arrived at Horse Guards Parade in London. The visit comes amid a backdrop of economic growth and infrastructure development plans, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer seeking to secure “tangible benefits” from Qatar’s investment.
During the state visit, the emir addressed both chambers of the Houses of Parliament, calling for an end to the conflict in Gaza until a sovereign Palestinian state is established. He also highlighted Qatar’s commitment to strengthening its strategic partnership with the UK.
The visit has been met with mixed reactions, with human rights groups criticizing the emir’s country for its discriminatory laws and policies against women and LGBT individuals. However, Charles thanked the emir for his efforts in mediating a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
The state banquet featured prominent guests including David Beckham, and marked the beginning of a four-day visit that is expected to promote cooperation between the two nations on security, economy, and trade.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/prince-william-kate-welcome-qatars-emir-state-visit-britain-2024-12-03