STATE VISIT BY THE AMIR OF THE STATE OF QATAR
Tuesday 3rd December – Wednesday 4th December 2024
The Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, has accepted an invitation from His Majesty The King to pay a state visit to the United Kingdom from Tuesday 3rd December to Wednesday 4th December 2024.
The King and Queen will host the state visit at Buckingham Palace.
MONDAY 2ND DECEMBER 2024
The Amir of the State of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani will arrive in the United Kingdom on the afternoon of Monday 2nd December at London Stansted Airport.
Their Highnesses will be greeted by His Excellency Sheikh Abdulla Bin Mohammed bin Saud Al-Thani, Ambassador of the State of Qatar. The Viscount Hood, Lord in Waiting, will greet Their Highnesses on behalf of the King.
TUESDAY 3RD DECEMBER 2024
Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales will greet the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher at their residence, on behalf of the King, on Tuesday morning.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will travel with Their Highnesses to Horse Guards Parade, where the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will receive a Ceremonial Welcome.
The King and Queen will formally welcome Their Highnesses at the Royal Pavilion on Horse Guards Parade. Presentations will be made, the Guard of Honour will give a Royal Salute and the Qatari National Anthem will be played.
The Amir, accompanied by the King, will then inspect the Guard of Honour, formed of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, with the Band of the Regiment.
Afterwards, Their Highnesses will join the King and Queen, and The Prince and Princess of Wales, in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be met by a second Guard of Honour formed of 1st Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Irish Guards. As the carriages arrive at Buckingham Palace, the Band of the Irish Guards will play the Qatari and British National Anthems.
Following a lunch at Buckingham Palace, His Majesty will invite Their Highnesses to view a special exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain Foundation relating to Qatar.
In the afternoon, the Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will visit Westminster Abbey, where Their Highnesses will take a tour of the Abbey, accompanied by the Dean of Westminster and the Chapter.
Next, His Highness will travel to Palace of Westminster where he will be greeted on arrival by Black Rod, the Lord Great Chamberlain, the Speaker of the House of Commons and the Lord Speaker. In the Royal Robing Room, His Highness will address gathered Parliamentarians and other invited guests before joining a reception with Members of the House of Lords and Members of Parliament.
At Kensington Palace, the Amir will then be received by the Prince of Wales.
In the evening, the King, accompanied by the Queen and Members of the Royal Family, will give a state banquet at Buckingham Palace for the Amir of Qatar and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani.
Speeches will be made by the King and the Amir at the beginning of the banquet.
WEDNESDAY 4TH DECEMBER 2024
On Wednesday morning, the Amir will visit the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. His Highness will meet contemporaries from the Amir’s time at Sandhurst and Qatari cadets. The Amir will also meet representatives from 11 Sqn based at RAF Leeming who are delivering advanced and high-speed jet training to Qatari Emiri Air Force and RAF pilots in Hawk Mk167 aircrafts. His Highness will also view a flypast on Parade Square.
The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher will then travel to Buckingham Palace to formally bid farewell to the King and Queen.
Afterwards, His Highness will visit No. 10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister, The Right Honourable Sir Keir Starmer.
That evening, the Amir, joined by the Duke of Gloucester, will attend a dinner at Mansion House given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation. The Lord Mayor and the Amir will both make speeches at the end of the dinner.
At the conclusion of the visit, the Lord Chamberlain will bid farewell to the Amir on behalf of The King, before His Highness departs from London Stansted Airport. Her Highness will depart privately.