David and Victoria Beckham graced the glittering state banquet at Buckingham Palace last night, an event hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla.
The power couple were listed among esteemed invitees, chosen in recognition of David’s ambassadorial role for the Qatar World Cup.
Their presence aligns with the two-day visit of the Emir of Qatar to the UK, an occurrence set to see both eminent figures – the host king and visiting emir – deliver important speeches to dignitaries within the opulent grand ballroom of the palace, the Mirror reports.
It was just last year when Beckham disclosed his reflections on opting into a lucrative £125 million contract, amidst scrutiny over Qatar’s human rights record, during an interview with the Daily Telegraph. He stated: “I do a lot of research into partners that I’m going into business with. And I wanted to be involved in another World Cup.”
Beckham continued: “I knew there’d be questions, I knew there was going to be criticism, but I’ve always been a believer that football is such a powerful tool. I spent a month out there […] I was around the LGBTQ community, I spoke to people on the ground. So I was happy with my decision.”
The Beckhams cut a stylish figure as they marched through Buckingham Palace, entering the grand ballroom with other distinguished guests. David, exemplifying sophistication in his white tie and tails, was seen conversing with Victoria while traversing the East Gallery.
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Victoria, looking stunning in a tailored dark floor-length evening dress with sleek long sleeves, had her hair elegantly pulled back into a ponytail and let out a soft laugh as they made their way to the ballroom. She paused briefly, seemingly noticing a photographer, before drawing closer to David to clasp his hand.
David has cultivated a strong rapport with the Royal Family over time, recently taking on the role of celebrity ambassador for Charles’ charity, The King’s Foundation. Sir Rod Stewart, a fellow ambassador, playfully hinted that David’s knighthood might be “coming soon”.
The former Manchester United star also spent time with Charles at Highgrove earlier this year. In October, he joined the King in celebrating the achievement of a £15 million fundraising goal to renew London’s old air ambulance helicopters.
Beckham’s connection to the Palace dates back to 2003 when he received an OBE. Posh and Becks were guests at both Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding in 2018 and Prince William and Kate’s nuptials in 2011.
In a show of respect in 2022, Beckham joined the lengthy public queue to view Queen Elizabeth II lying in state at Westminster Hall, standing for 13 hours.
The two-day state visit by Qatar’s leader is set to bolster and celebrate the UK-Qatari relationship, both economically and strategically. Qatar’s vast reserves of natural gas have positioned it as one of the wealthiest nations in the Middle East, leading to significant investments in the UK, including iconic landmarks such as The Savoy Hotel, The Shard, and Harrods.
His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al Thani, along with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim al Thani, arrived at Stansted Airport on Monday afternoon. They were greeted with a full ceremonial welcome and carriage procession before attending the state banquet at Buckingham Palace, which is part of a two-day event hosted by the King.
Queen Camilla, still experiencing “lingering side effects” from a chest infection, is only attending part of the festivities. For the occasion, Camilla chose a red velvet evening gown designed by Fiona Clare, joining Charles for a photograph with the Emir of Qatar and his wife Sheikha Jawaher prior to the banquet.
Her ensemble was complemented with a diamond kokoshnik tiara, once owned by the late Queen, alongside diamond earrings from a private collection and a diamond necklace also belonging to the late Queen. Human rights organisations have protested the visit, condemning the UK government for “royal washing Qatar’s troubling rights record”.
The Peter Tatchell Foundation is among the critics highlighting issues with Qatar’s stance on LGBT rights, women’s rights, and the treatment of migrant workers.
In response, the UK government has stated that it regularly raises human rights concerns with its Qatari counterparts and stands firmly against discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender.
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