DAVID and Victoria Beckham attended their first state banquet at Buckingham Palace tonight to help welcome the Qataris to Britain.
The former England captain, 49, and ex-Spice Girl, 50, were invited to the lavish dinner thanks to David’s role as a sporting ambassador for the £150million Arab nation.
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David and Victoria Beckham head along the East Gallery to attend the State BanquetCredit: PA
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King Charles with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Credit: PA
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Charles and Queen Camilla with the Emir and his wife Sheikha JawaherCredit: PA
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Prince William and Viscountess Hood Credit: PA
David was placed alongside Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Qatari sporting director Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is chairman of Beckham’s last football club, PSG.
Victoria was next to Lord Levy and Lord Darzi of Denham.
They had attended events at Buckingham Palace before, but had never been to a state banquet.
It comes during the first day of a two-day state visit to Qatar.
WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
David received backlash in 2022 when he flew to the World Cup in Qatar with a multi-million pound contract due to the country’s human rights record, particularly towards women and gay people.
In 2021, The Sun reported that Beckham had signed a deal worth £15m a year over a decade to become Qatar’s ambassador, making him £150m in total.
We also reported that he had been awarded a £10m contract to advertise the World Cup in Qatar.
After the football tournament, he defended going there and said he was “proud” to be part of an “important competition”.
The lavish state banquet, which welcomed around 150 guests in the palace ballroom, came at the end of the first day of a two-day state visit to Qatar.
The Princess of Wales beamed in her most important public engagement since her cancer diagnosis as she welcomed Amir and wife Sheikha Kawaher with Prince William.
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They then traveled with them to Horse Guards Parade for a welcoming ceremony with King Charles.
Kate joined the carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace, lunched privately and enjoyed a display of priceless Qatari artefacts.
But she didn’t go to the state banquet, reserving energy for her heartfelt Christmas service at Westminster Abbey on Friday.
CAMILL’S ILLNESS
Meanwhile, Queen Camilla had to pull out of the welcome ceremony but joined the royal party at Buckingham Palace.
She told today’s guests that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia.
A source said today that she has “recovered well” but is “still experiencing episodic symptoms of post-viral fatigue”.
The Queen wore a red velvet dress and jewelery belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth as she joined the King in the royal procession at the banquet.
In a speech, the king said the ties between Britain were “deep, personal and historic”, which had been “built on years of cooperation, mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity”.
He especially praised “Qatar’s mediation efforts during the past year in search of peace, against the most unbearable pain and suffering”.
He added: “I take some comfort in knowing that our governments are also working together to combat the most pressing shared threats to humanity: climate change and biodiversity loss.”
The Amir thanked the King for the “friendship” he and the Queen have shown, adding: “The United Kingdom and Qatar are not just friends, but partners.”
He also said: “I would like to commend you, Your Majesty, for your steadfast commitment and unfailing leadership in promoting interfaith dialogue, peace efforts and environmental protection.”
Guests are treated to a selection of wines on the menu and an elegant three-course meal.
They had a light Cornish lobster tartlet with quail eggs and organic lettuce leaves.
The main is a Supreme of Windsor pheasant wrapped in savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac puree, potatoes au gratin with soft creamy Suffolk cheese, truffle sauce and a selection of winter vegetables.
The pudding is an ice bomb with organic Samoan ice cream and Balmoral plum sorbet.
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Charles and Emir toast Credit: PA
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Charles gives a speech during the banquet Credit: PA
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HER. Mrs. Lolwah bint Rashid Al-Khater and Prime Minister Sir Keir StarmerCredit: PA
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Lavish State BanquetCredits: PA
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Queen Camilla with the Emir Credit: PA
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King Charles with the wife of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikha JawaherCredit: PA
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