The Princess of Wales is gearing up to take on even more royal duties at a major royal event today – with Queen Camilla missing out on a major part of it.
Today, the royals will welcome the Emir of Qatar for a two-day state visit to the UK hosted by the King. Charles will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during a ceremony of pomp and pageantry staged in Whitehall.
Speculation had mounted in recent weeks as to whether the princess, 42, would play a part in the Qatari R oyal Family state visit this week. The princess, who recently finished cancer treatment, will on Friday host her annual charity carol concert at Westminster Abbey which has become a mainstay of the royal diary in recent years.
Kate’s last public appearance at the Cenotaph on Remembrance Sunday with the Duchess of Edinburgh ( Image: Getty Images)
It was announced last week that Kate would join Prince William in greeting the guests at their residence before accompanying them to an official welcome at Horse Guards Parade. Now it has been revealed that Kate will dine with Charles’ guests at a special lunch after taking part in a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace.
After lunch, visiting heads of state traditionally view a small exhibition of items associated with their country’s relationship with the UK and Kate will be among the royal party joining the Emir and his wife in the palace’s picture gallery for the event. However, Kate will not attend the grand state banquet hosted by the King in the palace’s ballroom that evening.
A royal source said: “The Princess is feeling positive about the future and very much looking forward to representing the royal family at the state visit and beyond. Her work has always been a great tonic to her as she continues to concentrate on her recovery moving forward to the end of the year and beyond.”
Missing from the events this morning will be Camilla who, on Monday evening, pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace, due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection. Camilla will join the royal party later for a private lunch with the Emir and his wife and will also take part in all but one of the elements of the evening state banquet at Buckingham Palace, staged in honour of the Emir.
Queen Camilla at an event at Buckingham Palace last week ( Image: PA)
Doctors have urged Camilla, 77, to take time to rest and recover fully because of the lingering effects of the illness, contracted a month ago following her long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa, which include diminished reserves of energy.
She is hoping to be able to view a display of Qatari artefacts after lunch in the palace’s picture gallery with her husband, the Waleses and the Emir, and at the start of the state banquet will pose for a group photo but will take a short break before dinner while guests are met in a receiving line. No major changes are expected to her diary for the rest of the week, but the Queen has been advised by her medical team to take each day as it comes.
Sheikh Tamim, 44, was educated in Britain, attending public schools Sherborne and Harrow, before graduating from Sandhurst military academy.
