WELCOMING THE EMIR OF QATAR POMP AT THE PALACE

The Princess of Wales shines as she joins the royal family for a glittering state visit

- EMILY NASH

It was a ritual she has taken part in many times over the years. And as the Princess of Wales joined the King and her husband the Prince to formally welcome the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher to the UK, it felt as though she had never been away.

With an impeccable curtsy for the monarch and warm smiles for the visiting guests, she looked happy to be back on duty – even if it was for a shorter time than usual as she continues to prioritise her ongoing recovery.

Indeed, the Princess put on an impressive display of diplomatic dressing – choosing her burgundy coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and hat by Sahar Millinery to match the Qatari flag, and adding the Bahrain Pearl Drop earrings and a pearl and diamond choker once owned by Queen Elizabeth II and often worn by Princess Diana.

She and Prince William began by greeting the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Sheikha Jawaher – the first of his three wives – at their private residence before accompanying them by car to Horse Guards Parade, where the monarch was waiting on the dais.

TENDER GESTURE

As the Prince and Princess joined the royal party to greet dignitaries, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Foreign Secretary David Lammy and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, William put a comforting hand on his wife’s back.

A guard of honour formed by 1st Battalion Welsh Guards gave a royal salute and the regimental band played the Qatari national anthem before the King and the Emir inspected the two ranks of soldiers.

The morning’s formalities ended with a dazzling carriage procession, led by the King alongside the Emir and his wife in the Irish State Coach.