Britain King Charles to host Qatar's Emir for December state visit

FILE PHOTO: Britain's King Charles talks with Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 1, 2023

Reuters

Britain's King Charles and Queen Camilla will host Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani at Buckingham Palace for a state visit from Dec. 3-4, the palace said on Friday.

Charles and Qatar's emir most recently met at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai in December 2023. Both the emir and Sheikha Jawaher were present at Charles' coronation in May 2023.

King Charles, 75, has visited Qatar eight times between 1986 and 2015.

The UK is pursuing a trade agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council, which includes Qatar. The government estimates that the deal could add £1.6 billion ($2.1 billion) to the UK economy and provide new opportunities for British businesses.

In June, Charles hosted a state visit by Japan's Emperor Naruhito - the first such event since the British monarch returned to public work after receiving treatment for an unspecified type of cancer earlier in the year.