The Princess of Wales and the Prince of Wales were all smiles as they met with the Emir of Qatar for the beginning of his controversial UK trip.

Kate Middleton, on her most significant return to royal duties since her cancer diagnosis, was pictured smiling in a fitted burgundy Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen coat and a hat by Sarah Millinery.

Today’s proceedings will see The Prince and Princess of Wales and the King greet the Emir of Qatar in London, but the Queen will not be in attendance due to the ‘lingering side effects’ of a chest infection.

Kate and Will were the first of the royal family to greet their Middle Eastern guests inside the London residence.

The King, who arrived slightly later, was pictured being driven to the Horse Guards Parade at midday to be greeted with a a Guard of Honour and the national anthem.

The Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, met with Charles at the Pavilion to a royal salute of 41 guns.

Charles, William and Kate proceeded to take their guests, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, on a carriage ride back to Buckingham Palace for a banquet.

Queen Camilla was pictured being driven to Buckingham Palace, but the 77-year-old was not in attendance at the Horse Guards Parade.

The Palace confirmed that the Queen, 77, would not be in attendance as she recovers from the ‘lingering’ affects of a chest infection.

Camilla is said to be dealing with ‘diminished reserves of energy.’

The Royals and the Qataris were joined by Camilla at a banquet in the Palace, before they visited a Picture Gallery.

Kate’s appearance today is one of just a few following her successful cancer treatment.

The Princess has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September she had completed her chemotherapy treatment, saying her focus is on ‘staying cancer free.’

Kate though, did attend the day’s banquet with Charles, Camilla and William.

Today’s proceedings are part of a two-day visit from the Emir, who was actually educated in Britain at Sherborne and Harrow public schools.

Tomorrow will see the Sheikh visit Sandhurst and the Prime Minister before returning to the Palace to bid the King a formal farewell..

The Emir is too set for talks with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer at 10 Downing Street on Wednesday.

The Government are reportedly looking to strike a free-trade deal with Qatar, who are a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Qatar though, has faced significant criticism over its human rights record, including the abuse of migrant workers at the 2022 Fifa World Cup and its stance on same-sex relationships.

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