After they are formally introduced to Charles and Camilla, the Emir and his wife will be treated to a royal salute and a rendition of the Qatari national anthem. Then, Tamim and Jawaher will join both the King, Queen, William and Kate in a carriage procession along The Mall to Buckingham Palace, where they will be met by a second guard of honour formed of First Battalion Welsh Guards with the Band of the Irish Guards.

It’s understood that Kate will take part in a lunch held at the Palace, but will not be attending a glittering state banquet this evening. That’s to be expected; the Princess will no doubt want to conserve her energy for later this week, when she will be host her annual Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey. Nonetheless, a royal source told MailOnline that Kate’s active participation in the Qataris’ state visit – her most significant royal undertaking for months – surely spells ‘good news’ for her recovery.