The British royals laid out the proverbial red carpet for the Emir of Qatar’s arrival to the UK on Tuesday.
Prince William and Kate Middleton greeted Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, 44, and his first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, 39, in London for the latter couple’s two-day visit to England.
The Prince and Princess of Wales joined the Qatar royals to Horse Guards Parade where King Charles III welcomed the Emir and his wife.
According to People, King Charles, 76, was driven from Buckingham Place to Horse Guards Parade where the national anthem “God Save The King” played upon his arrival.
Queen Camilla, 77, was forced to miss the event since she’s recovering from a chest infection. However, she’s expected to be at the lunch and the viewing of the gifts later today.
Meanwhile, Middleton, 42, attended Tuesday’s festivities — which marked her first state visit since her cancer diagnosis earlier this year — in a Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen burgundy coat and a matching hat to honor the color of the Qatar flag.
She wore the late Queen Elizabeth’s Bahrain pearl drop earrings and her Japanese Pearl choker necklace. The mom of three also wore her late mother-in-law Princess Diana’s sapphire engagement ring, according to the Daily Mail.
After the Horse Guards Parade, the Waleses, along with Charles and the Qatar royals, all went back to Buckingham Palace in a carriage procession.
The group will come together Tuesday evening for a banquet at Buckingham Palace. Princess Catherine will not attend amid her cancer recovery.
The future queen has slowly been returning to her royal duties amid her health woes. She completed chemotherapy after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.
Beginning her gradual return to work, she undertook her first post-chemo public engagement in October, traveling with William to Southport, England, where they met the parents of the victims in a mass stabbing attack on Jul. 29 at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class.
She then attended the annual two-day Festival of Remembrance at Royal Albert Hall last month, which marked her first appearance at an official state ceremonial event since ending chemo.
Later this month, the beloved royal will host her special Christmas carol concert that will air on Christmas Eve.
The theme of this year’s service will focus on the importance of love and empathy, and will reflect on “how much we need each other, especially in the most difficult times of our lives.”
Charles, for his part, was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, however he’s been undertaking many public-facing duties.
