The UK hosted a state banquet for the Emir of Qatar at Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, December 3. The King paid tribute to the “profound, personal and historic” ties between their nations, while the Queen attended in a more limited capacity due to her recovery from pneumonia.
David Beckham was among the guests, seated next to Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch during the banquet. Prince William attended without his wife Kate, who has only partially returned to public duties after cancer treatment. The Emir was joined by one of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher.
The King also praised Qatar’s mediation efforts in pursuit of peace between Israel and Hamas during the war in Gaza, expressing gratitude for their “tireless” efforts. Beckham had been invited due to his close relationship with Qatar after acting as a paid ambassador for the country at the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Guests enjoyed a menu featuring Cornish lobster, Windsor pheasant, and seasonal winter vegetables, accompanied by a special mocktail called the Royal Mirage. The event featured music performed by the Hiraeth String Quartet and the King’s Harpist Mared Pugh-Evans.
Source: https://news.sky.com/story/king-hosts-emir-of-qatar-at-state-banquet-with-beckhams-among-the-famous-faces-in-attendance-13266306