Royal news live: Queen Camilla reveals battle with pneumonia after skipping part of Qatar state visit
Comes as Princess of Wales writes heartful Christmas message about importance of love for her upcoming annual carol service
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The Queen has revealed she has been battling pneumonia as she skipped part of the state visit to the UK of the Emir of Qatar and his wife.
Camilla told guests at the two-day state visit on Tuesday that the chest infection she contracted after a long haul trip to Australia and Samoa was a form of pneumonia.
It is understood that she no longer has the infection but does continue to struggle with post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover.
The Queen, therefore, missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade this morning, instead arriving at Buckingham Palace shortly beforehand.
Meanwhile, the Prince and Princess of Wales joined the King for the traditional welcome for Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher. The royal party were also met by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and other senior government figures.
The greeting marks Kate’s first appearance at a state visit since her cancer diagnosis and signals her growing readiness to return to frontline duties next year.
It comes as the princess is set to deliver a heartful Christmas message about the importance of love at her upcoming annual carol service, telling the 1,600 Westminster Abbey carol-goers on Friday: “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.”
King and Queen introduce Emir and his wife to British suite
Inside Buckingham Palace, the King and Queen introduced the Emir and his wife to the British suite – key members of the Royal Household – who had gathered to wait in a receiving line.
The King and Emir walked together, followed by Camilla and Sheikha Jawaher.
Among those in the receiving line were the Lord Chamberlain Lord Benyon, the Queen’s companions Sarah Troughton and Lady Lansdowne, as well as Keeper of the Privy Purse Sir Michael Stevens and Master of the Household Vice Admiral Sir Tony Johnstone-Burt.
Also there was Assistant Private Secretary to the King Muna Shamsuddin, who joined the royal household this year and is leading on the Qatari state visit.
The red carpeted Grand Hall was decorated for Christmas with a large Christmas tree.
His Majesty’s Body Guard of the Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms were positioned in the Grand Hall, and the King’s Body Guard of the Yeomen of the Guard stood in the Marble Hall.
The Prince and Princess of Wales were also pictured walking through the Grand Hall before a lunch with the Emir.
In pictures: Kate lets family heirlooms shine against dark palette of ensemble
The Princess of Wales has chosen to wear a pearl necklace known as the Four-Row Japanese Pearl Choker.
The necklace is believed to have been given to the late Queen by the Japanese Government sometime in the 1970s when she made her first state visit to Japan.
Kate previously wore the statement necklace at the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral in 2021 as well as in 2017 at a dinner to commemorate the 70th wedding anniversary of Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth.
The necklace has also been worn by Kate’s late mother-in-law, Diana, the Princess of Wales, who chose to wear it for a banquet at Hampton Court Palace in honor of Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands in November 1982.
King arrives with Emir at Palace in Irish State Coach to sound of Qatari and British national anthems
The King arrived at the Grand Entrance of Buckingham Palace in the Irish State Coach with Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani to the sound of the Qatar and British national anthems.
Waiting inside in the warm in the Grand Hall was the Queen. In the second carriage, the Australian State Coach, were the Prince and Princess of Wales with the Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. Sheikh Mohammed stepped from the carriage first, followed by William, with both turning to wait for Kate. The princess stepped carefully from the state coach in her knee-high high heeled boots.
The Waleses walked side by side chatting to one another, with Kate carrying a small matching burgundy handbag and a pair of gloves, as they made their way up the red carpeted steps of the Grand Entrance.
Former economist Sheikh Mohammed is also the Minister of Foreign Affairs and a member of the Qatari royal family. He has been prime minister since 2023 and is distantly related to the Emir.
In the palace quadrangle in formation was a Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in their grey greatcoats and bearskin hats with the Band of the Irish Guards. A dismounted Detachment of Household Cavalry stood either side of the Grand Entrance.
Camilla expected to be at Palace to bid formal farewell to Emir
Camilla is expected to be at Buckingham Palace when the Emir of Qatar formally bids the King and her farewell.
The Emir will visit Sandhurst on Wednesday, the final day of the two-day visit, before travelling to the Palace.
Pictured: King greets Emir of Qatar
Emir of Qatar welcomed by King
The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived at Horse Guards Parade with the visiting head of state Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher
The royal women travelled in one chauffeur driven limousine while men travelled in another and the waiting King warmly greeted his guests on a dais.
Watch live: King welcomes Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace for state visit
Watch live as King Charles III welcomes the Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani begins a two-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday, 3 December.
Charles will welcome the leader and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, during an extravagant ceremony staged in Whitehall.
Queen Camilla will be absent; On Monday, she pulled out of the official open-air greeting on Horse Guards Parade and a carriage ride back to the palace due to lingering effects of a recent viral chest infection.
The Prince and Princess of Wales will take part in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade, one of the few official appearances by Kate during a year in which she has been successfully treated for cancer.
Watch live: King welcomes Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace for state visit
Watch live as King Charles III welcomes the Emir of Qatar to Buckingham Palace as Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani begins a two-day state visit to the UK on Tuesday, 3 December.
Starmer, Lammy and Cooper arrive for Ceremonial Welcome
Kate and William greet Emir of Qatar
The Prince and Princess of Wales have greeted the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and his wife Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani at the Emir’s private residence on behalf of the King.
It was Kate’s first appearance at a state visit since her cancer diagnosis.
She was pictured smiling in a fitted burgundy coat and hat alongside William and the VIP guests inside the residence in London.
Kate, wearing a pearl necklace and with her hair in a low chignon, was seen in conversation with Sheikha Jawaher.
The royal party will make their way to Horse Guards Parade by car for the traditional ceremonial welcome where they will be met by the King, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and other senior government figures.
In pictures: Prince and Princess of Wales greet Emir of Qatar and his wife
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments