David and Victoria Beckham arrived at Buckingham Palace’s glittering state banquet this evening, hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The former England player and his fashion designer wife were invited as guests following Beckham’s role as an ambassador for the World Cup in Qatar. The Emir of Qatar, who is on a two-day visit to the UK, will join the the King to deliver speeches in front of dignitaries from both countries in the palace’s grand ballroom.
Last year, Beckham opened up about his decision to sign the £125 million deal after questions were raised over Qatar’s human rights record. He told the Daily Telegraph: “I do a lot of research into partners that I’m going into business with. And I wanted to be involved in another World Cup.
“I knew there’d be questions, I knew there was going to be criticism, but I’ve always been a believer that football is such a powerful tool. I spent a month out there […] I was around the LGBTQ community, I spoke to people on the ground. So I was happy with my decision.”
David and Victoria processed into the ballroom at Buckingham Palace alongside fellow guests at the state banquet. David, dapperly dressed in white tie and tails, chatted to Victoria as they made their way through the East Gallery.
Victoria, dressed in a fitted dark floor-length evening gown with long fitted sleeves, wore her hair swept into a sleek pony tail and gave a small chuckle as they headed towards the ballroom. She slowed as she appeared to spot a photographer and moved closer to her husband to hold his hand.
David has developed a strong bond with the royal family over the years, recently becoming a celebrity ambassador for Charles’s charity The King’s Foundation, with fellow ambassador Sir Rod Stewart teasing him that his knighthood was “coming soon”.
The former Manchester United midfielder also met Charles at Highgrove in the spring. He joined the Prince of Wales in October to celebrate smashing a £15 million target to replace London’s ageing air ambulance helicopters, and headed to the Palace in 2003 when he was made an OBE.
The couple also attended the Sussexes’ wedding in 2018 and William and Kate’s wedding in 2011. In 2022, Beckham joined the long public queue to see the late Queen lying in state in Westminster Hall, waiting in line for 13 hours.
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The two-day visit by Qatar’s head of state is expected to celebrate and strengthen UK-Qatari ties both economically and strategically. Qatar’s reserve of natural gas makes the Gulf state one of the richest countries in the Middle East, earning it several high-profile investments in the UK. The Savoy Hotel, The Shard and Harrods are among these investments.
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, accompanied by Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al Thani, flew to Stansted Airport yesterday afternoon.
Today, following a full ceremonial welcome and carriage procession, they will attend the state banquet at Buckingham Palace as part of two days of events hosted by the King. Queen Camilla will only join for part of the event having suffered “lingering side effects” from a chest infection.
Camilla donned a red velvet evening dress by Fiona Clare as she and Charles posed for a photo with the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher ahead of the banquet. She accessorized with a diamond kokoshnik tiara belonging to The late Queen, diamond earrings from a private collection and a diamond necklace, belonging to The late Queen.
Human rights groups have since protested the visit, accusing the UK government of “royal washing Qatar’s troubling rights record”. The Peter Tatchell Foundation are among those who have criticised Qatar’s record on LGBT rights, women’s rights and the treatment of migrant workers.
The UK government said in response that it regularly discusses human rights with its Qatari counterparts and is opposed to discrimination on grounds of sexual orientation or gender.
