Kate Middleton joins Prince William at ceremonial welcome for Qatar state visit

The state visit is the first for Kate since announcing her cancer diagnosis.

Kate Middleton joins Prince William at ceremonial welcome for Qatar state visit
James Veysey/Shutterstock
December 3, 2024, 7:54 AM

Kate, the Princess of Wales, joined her husband Prince William and his father, King Charles III, in welcoming the leader of Qatar to the United Kingdom Tuesday for a two-day state visit.

Kate and William were the first to greet Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and his wife Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, meeting them at their residence Tuesday and then traveling with them to Horse Guards Parade in in St James's Park.

There, the emir and his wife received a ceremonial welcome from Charles, who attended without his wife, Queen Camilla, who is continuing to recover from a chest infection, according to Buckingham Palace.

Kate, Princess of Wales, Prince William and King Charles III, from left, welcome the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, second right, and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani in London, Dec. 3, 2024.
Kin Cheung/AP, POOL

After the ceremonial welcome, the emir and his wife and Charles, William and Kate traveled in a carriage procession from the Mall to Buckingham Palace for a lunch and tour of a special exhibition of the Royal Collection Trust, according to the palace.

Britain's Kate, Princess of Wales and Prince William sit in a carriage after welcoming the Emir of the State of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani in London, Dec. 3, 2024.
Kin Cheung/AP, POOL

Kate's attendance at Tuesday's events marked another first in her gradual return to public duties, her first state visit since announcing in March that she had been diagnosed with cancer.

Kate has not revealed what type of cancer she was diagnosed with, nor details of her treatment, beyond saying that she underwent "preventative chemotherapy."

Catherine Princess of Wales and Prince William at the Horse Guards parade for the Emir of Qatar's Ceremonial Welcome on Dec. 3, 2024, in London.
James Veysey/Shutterstock

The 42-year-old princess shared in a video message in September that she had completed chemotherapy and is now focused on staying "cancer free."

In recent weeks, Kate has traveled with William to Southport, England for an engagement, and joined royal family members at public events marking Remembrance Sunday.

PHOTO: Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales greets dignitaries as she arrives ahead of a Ceremonial Welcome for the Emir of Qatar at Horse Guards Parade in London,  Dec. 3, 2024.
Britain's Catherine, Princess of Wales greets dignitaries as she arrives ahead of a Ceremonial Welcome for the Emir of Qatar at Horse Guards Parade in London, Dec. 3, 2024.
Henry Nicholls/AP

On Friday, Kate is scheduled to host one of her biggest passion projects, her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey.

Related Topics