LONDON — The Princess of Wales is set to play a significant role in welcoming the emir of Qatar to the United Kingdom on Tuesday, as the British government utilizes her popularity to aid in making the state visit a success. This engagement comes amid her recovery from recent cancer treatment, highlighting the significance of Qatar—a key ally known for substantial investments in Britain and active involvement in peace negotiations between Israel and Hamas.
During the visit, Prince William and Kate are scheduled to greet Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani in the morning. Following their greetings, the group will proceed to Horse Guards Parade in central London, where King Charles III will formally welcome the emir and Sheikha Jawaher as part of a two-day visit. The itinerary includes visits to Westminster Abbey, a banquet at Buckingham Palace, and a discussion with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Queen Camilla, who has been struggling with a persistent chest infection, has been advised to skip the outdoor formalities but intends to participate in the afternoon lunch at the palace and attend the evening banquet.
Despite Qatar being smaller in size than the U.S. state of Connecticut, it possesses the world’s third-largest natural gas reserves and is a pivotal investor in the United Kingdom. The Qatari Investment Authority owns the renowned Harrods department store and holds significant investments in various British corporations, including Barclays Bank and Sainsbury’s. Additionally, it has made considerable contributions to London’s real estate market, acquiring high-profile properties such as the Shard, which is the tallest building in Western Europe.
The grandeur associated with the emir’s visit has raised concerns among human rights advocates, who point out that women and LGBTQ+ individuals experience discrimination in Qatar. Moreover, they highlight ongoing issues with unpaid compensation for migrant workers who faced severe exploitation during the preparations for the 2022 FIFA World Cup. According to Yasmine Ahmed, the U.K. director of Human Rights Watch, “Hosting the royal visit without addressing these issues is tantamount to royal-washing Qatar’s troubling rights record.”
The state visit arrives during a challenging period for Britain’s royal family. King Charles III faced a two-month hiatus from public life after revealing his own cancer diagnosis in February. Shortly thereafter, Kate publicly disclosed her cancer diagnosis and chose to step back from public duties to concentrate on her treatment and recovery.
While Charles resumed public engagements at the end of April, Kate has taken a more gradual approach to returning, making only several public appearances this year. These appearances have chiefly taken place during significant national events, including the king’s birthday parade in June, the men’s final at Wimbledon in July, and more recently, the Remembrance Day ceremonies in November to pay tribute to fallen soldiers. Kate announced in September that she had successfully completed her chemotherapy treatment.
One rationale behind enlisting Kate and William for the Qatari state visit could stem from their shared backgrounds with the emir. All three figures are in their early forties and share similar educational trajectories through prestigious British preparatory schools. In particular, both the emir and William are alumni of the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst, with the emir serving in the Qatari military and William in both the British Army and Royal Air Force.
During the visit, Kate and William are expected to accompany the Qatari royals plus King Charles and Queen Camilla for a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace. After the luncheon at the palace, the emir and Sheikha Jawaher will tour Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament. Later, the day will culminate with a state banquet hosted by the king and queen at Buckingham Palace.
On Wednesday, the emir will visit Sandhurst to meet with some of his former classmates as well as current Qatari cadets. He will also engage with RAF personnel who are conducting advanced training for Qatari air force pilots before heading to 10 Downing Street for discussions with Prime Minister Starmer.