Qatar's Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will arrive in Britain on Monday for a two-day state visit hosted by King Charles. During the visit, he will also meet Prime Minister Keir Starmer,
who is seeking stronger ties with the wealthy Gulf states.
The Qatar News Agency reported that the Emir will be accompanied by an official delegation, including Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani.
The state visit officially begins on Tuesday and takes place as Britain's Labour government, in power since July, looks for investment partners to support its plans for new infrastructure projects, including clean energy initiatives.
Prime Minister Starmer is also working to finalize long-standing negotiations for a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), which includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE. The UK's Business and Trade Department estimates that a free trade agreement with the GCC could add £1.6 billion ($2.03 billion) to the UK economy in the long term.
Qatar already has significant investments in the UK. The Qatar Investment Authority, the country’s sovereign wealth fund, holds stakes in several prominent British businesses, including Barclays, Sainsbury's, and Canary Wharf.
King Charles and the Emir, who has visited Britain eight times between 2014 and 2023, last met at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December.
On Wednesday, the Emir is set to hold bilateral talks with Starmer at 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister's official residence. Starmer is also expected to visit the Gulf region later this month.
The visit will feature a formal welcome ceremony on Tuesday morning, where the Emir will be greeted by Prince William and Princess Kate. King Charles and Queen Camilla will officially receive him at the Horse Guards Parade, followed by a carriage procession. Other highlights include a visit to Westminster Abbey and a state banquet before the Emir departs on Wednesday evening. Photo by Jim Mattis, Wikimedia commons.