Royal | News - Prince Ricardo De La Cerda
King Charles hailed the “profound, personal and historic” ties between Qatar and the UK as he welcomed the Amir and Sheikha for a two-day state visit.
Delivering a speech at Tuesday’s lavish state banquet at Buckingham Palace, the 76-year-old monarch spoke warmly of the ties between the two nations, namely their collaborative efforts on climate change and biodiversity loss, science and technology, education and defence.
Addressing the 150 guests – which included Posh and Becks – the King opened by speaking in Arabic. He said “Assalamu-Alaykum”, which means peace be upon you.
Charles described the Amir’s visit as a “homecoming”, noting the years he spent studying in the UK at Sherborne, harrow and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
“This evening I am delighted to mark the renewal of our enduring friendship,” he said before saying in Arabic: “Welcome back to the United Kingdom, your second home.”