Emir of Qatar given grand military welcome at Horse Guards Parade during state visit
Military pomp and pageantry were on display at Horse Guards Parade as the Army gave a ceremonial welcome to the visiting Emir of Qatar.
Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al Thani are on the second day of their state visit to the UK.
The Band of the Welsh Guards were first onto Horse Guards Parade, followed by 1st Battalion the Welsh Guards, which formed the Guard of Honour, the King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery and the Life Guards.
King Charles arrived shortly before noon to a Royal Salute and the National Anthem.
Queen Camilla had been due to attend, but was advised not to take part in this element of the visit as she had been unwell.
The Prince and Princess of Wales accompanied the Emir and his wife from their private residence to Horse Guards Parade for the ceremonial welcome.
Among the dignitaries introduced to the royal couple were the chiefs of all three services.
The King then escorted the Emir to inspect the Guard of Honour.
The event took around 20 minutes before a carriage procession took the royal party, with a Sovereign's Escort of the Household Cavalry, towards Buckingham Palace for further events including a state banquet.
A royal salute of 41 guns was fired at the King's Fortress and Tower of London by The Honourable Artillery Company, under the command of Major James Bromfield.
During their visit, the Qatari couple will be taking part in a busy round of public engagements aimed at strengthening the ties between the UK and the Middle Eastern nation.
'Very special welcome'
Defence Secretary John Healey took to X, to welcome the visiting Emir of Qatar.
He said: "A very special welcome to His Highness Tamim Bin Hamad ahead of this week's State Visit - supported by the joint UK-Qatar 12 Squadron.
"A demonstration of the important and enduring defence relationship our two countries share."
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