In a gesture that resonated across both British and Qatari communities, King Charles III hosted a grand State Banquet at Buckingham Palace in honor of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, the Emir of Qatar, marking the Emir’s first State Visit to the United Kingdom.
The banquet celebrated the deep and enduring ties between the two nations, blending diplomacy with heartfelt personal connections.
King Charles opened the evening with a warm greeting in Arabic, saying, “Your Highnesses, Assalamu Alaikum [Peace be upon you],” a gesture that charmed the assembled guests. In his address, the King reflected on the Emir’s personal connection to the UK, recalling his education at Sherborne, Harrow, and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
“It gives my wife and myself the greatest possible pleasure to welcome you to Buckingham Palace this evening, on your first State Visit to the United Kingdom,” King Charles said, underscoring the special bond between their countries.
In a poignant moment, the King quoted a verse from the Holy Quran to highlight shared values: “Whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity.” He used the verse to emphasize the importance of humanitarian work and the mutual commitment to the betterment of mankind.
King Charles further extended his warmth to the Emir by saying in Arabic, “Hayyakum – Marratan Ukhra – Fee Al-Mamlika Al-Mutahhida, Baladkom Ath-Thani [Welcome back to the United Kingdom, your second home].” The personal touch left a lasting impression on the evening’s attendees.
The banquet was not only a celebration of a longstanding friendship but also a commitment to a shared future. King Charles concluded with optimism, stating, “I am filled with hope about the possibilities that lie ahead for our two great nations. Whatever challenges and opportunities arise, I am confident that we will face them together.”
The historic evening underscored the strength of the UK-Qatar relationship, setting a tone of unity and mutual respect for years to come.
I am an experienced writer, analyst, and author. My exposure in English journalism spans more than 28 years. In the past, I have been working with daily The Muslim (Lahore Bureau), daily Business Recorder (Lahore/Islamabad Bureaus), Daily Times, Islamabad, daily The Nation (Lahore and Karachi). With daily The Nation, I have served as Resident Editor, Karachi. Since 2009, I have been working as a Freelance Writer/Editor for American organizations.
