By Sarah Young
LONDON (Reuters) -King Charles and Keir Starmer welcomed Qatar’s emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, for a state visit to Britain on Tuesday that the prime minister hopes will help build on the Gulf state’s investment in the country.
The emir and wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani arrived by car at Horse Guards Parade in London with Prince William and his wife Kate, who was marking her return to formal state visit duties after undergoing preventative chemotherapy for cancer.
Charles, who is continuing his own treatment for cancer, and the emir inspected the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards while a military band played.
The morning of pageantry was followed by a trip to Westminster where the emir addressed both chambers of the Houses of Parliament.
The emir took the opportunity to turn the spotlight on the situation in Gaza, saying the “tragic images that we see on a daily basis do not do it justice”.
“Both Qatar and the UK believe that the conflict will not end until a sovereign Palestinian state is established,” he said.
‘THRIVING TRADE’
Britain is seeking deeper ties with the wealthy Gulf state, and Starmer hopes to use the visit to secure “tangible benefits” for the country on security and the economy, his spokesperson said.
Starmer was elected in July on a promise to lift economic growth and is looking to potential wealthy investors such as Qatar to help fund his plans for new infrastructure and energy developments.
Qatar is already a big investor in Britain through the Qatar Investment Authority which owns the Canary Wharf business and entertainment district in east London, the Shard landmark skyscraper in central London, and stakes in blue-chip names such as Barclays and Heathrow Airport.
“You can expect them to discuss how we can build further on our two countries’ thriving trade and investment partnership,” the prime minister’s spokesperson said.
The emir said the UK and Qatar were strategic and investment partners, and both were committed to mutual strenghthening.
The two royal families departed by horse-drawn carriage for Buckingham Palace where they had lunch with Queen Camilla, who was absent from the outdoor event as she continues to recover from a chest infection. A state banquet followed in the evening.
The emir received several gifts, including a framed picture of Charles and Camilla and a hand-knotted prayer rug. He gave Charles a model of a traditional sailboat used in pearl diving and a side table.
At the start of the lavish state banquet, attended by politicians and celebrities such as David Beckham, Charles thanked the emir for his country’s efforts in mediating a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal.
“Qatar’s continued toil, perseverance and diplomatic efforts are, quite simply, beyond compare,” Charles said.
But some rights groups have criticised emir’s state visit to Britain.
“The king is rolling out the red carpet for the emir of Qatar even though he leads a country where male guardianship policies and other discriminatory laws against women continue, and where LGBT individuals face discrimination,” said Yasmine Ahmed, UK Director of Human Rights Watch.
(Reporting by Sarah Young; Editing by Alison Williams and Jonathan Oatis)
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