King Charles III hosts emir of Qatar on UK state visit

Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani was treated to a royal carriage procession and a lavish state banquet on the first day of his state visit to Britain Tuesday.

King Charles III is hosting the emir and his consort, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani on the two-day trip, which comes as the UK aims to seal a trade deal with oil-rich Gulf states.

The 44-year-old Qatari royal will also hold talks at Downing Street with the UK’s Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The government, elected in July, is hoping to conclude a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s six nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

Starmer’s government has staked its credibility on a pledge to grow the economy.

It says a GCC free trade deal could boost the UK economy by some £1.6 billion ($2 billion) and open up lucrative markets to British firms.

UK business minister Jonathan Reynolds recently described securing the deal as a “priority” for the Labour government.

The Qatari couple, who arrived Monday at Stansted airport east of London, were greeted by heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, at their Kensington Palace residence in west London.

The royal party then travelled to Horse Guards Parade in central London where they met Charles, 76, and received a ceremonial welcome.

His wife Queen Camilla, 77, missed the start of the proceedings due to the lingering effects of a chest infection, but arrived ahead of the others at Buckingham palace to attend other elements of the day.