LONDON: His Highness the Amir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and HH Consort of HH the Amir Sheikha Jowaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani arrived at the Royal Horse Guards Yard in London, as part of their state visit to the United Kingdom, at the invitation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Upon their arrival at the Royal Court, Their Highnesses were received by His Majesty King Charles III, Prime Minister HE Keir Starmer, and a number of Their Excellencies Ministers, Lords, Military Generals and senior officials.
The reception ceremony began with the royal salute and the playing of the national anthem of the State of Qatar, after which His Highness the Amir, accompanied by His Majesty King Charles III, reviewed the Royal Guard of Honour.
After that, His Majesty King Charles III accompanied His Highness the Amirto Buckingham Palace in traditional royal carriages, while the Qatari and British national anthems were played in salute to Their Highnesses, and the Royal Artillery fired eighty-two rounds.
His Majesty King Charles III awarded His Highness the Amir the Knight Grand Cross, the highest British medal, in appreciation of the distinguished relations between the two countries, while His Highness the Amir awarded His Majestythe Founder’s Sword, Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, the highest medal in the country.
The medal exchange ceremony, which was held at Buckingham Palace, was attended by HH Consort of HH the Amir Sheikha Jowaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.
His Highness the Amir and the consort also attended the official luncheon hosted by His Majesty King Charles III and Her Majesty Queen Camilla at Buckingham Palace in honour of Their Highnesses and the accompanying official delegation.
The ceremony, exchange of medals and luncheon were attended by Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, and a number of Their Excellencies members of the delegation accompanying His Highness the Amir. On the British side, His Royal Highness Prince William, Crown Prince of Wales, Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales, and a number of members of the royal family attended.
His Royal Highness Prince William, Crown Prince of Wales, and Her Royal Highness Princess Catherine, Princess of Wales, accompanied His Highness the Amir and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher from the residence to the ceremony earlier.