Kate Middleton: Princess of Wales’ major public appearance since cancer diagnosis for Emir of Qatar’s UK visit

The Princess of Wales beamed in burgundy yesterday at the official state visit of the Emir of Qatar and his wife to the UK as she made her most significant public appearance since her cancer diagnosis at the start of the year.

Kate, 42, was the star of the show in a stylish coat by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen and a matching hat by Sahar Millinery.

She also wore several pieces of jewellery from the late Queen, notably a favourite pearl necklace.

It was a boost for royal-watchers to see the princess playing a lead role in the state visit of the Emir, Sheik Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani.

But while she was at the daytime events, as part of her slow and measured return to royal duties she did not attend last night’s state banquet hosted by the King in the Buckingham Palace ballroom.

Instead, cameras were focused on surprise guests David and Victoria Beckham, he in white tie and tails and she in a floor-length black evening gown.

While the couple have been invited to a number of royal events previously, it was the first time they had secured a coveted invitation – one of just 170 – to the exclusive dinner to honour the Emir.

It is understood that former England footballer Beckham was invited because of his role as an ambassador for the 2022 Qatar World Cup.

He was seated next to Naseer Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman and president of French football club PSG, where Beckham ended his playing career in 2013.

On his right was Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, also attending her first state banquet.

Mrs Beckham was seated between former music executive Lord Levy and surgeon Lord Darzi.

Earlier Kate and Prince William had officially greeted the Emir, 44, and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, at their London residence on behalf of the King.

The Sheikha is the first of the Emir’s three wives and mother of four of his 13 children. They then travelled by car to Horse Guards Parade where the King was waiting to offer a full ceremonial welcome.

His wife, Queen Camilla, was not present thanks to what we now know to be the ‘lingering’ effects of a case of pneumonia that has left her “feeling utterly rotten”.

But King Charles was surrounded by a full Guard of Honour, courtesy of the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards, and the King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, playing a greater role than normal thanks to the Emir’s passion for all things British, equine and military, having been educated in the UK – firstly at Sherborne and then Harrow, followed by the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.

A smiling Emir was invited by his fellow head of state – who is still himself ‘living with cancer’ and undergoing weekly treatment all while undertaking official duties – to inspect the troops.

There was more pomp and pageantry as the royal party left for Buckingham Palace in the Irish and Australian state coaches.

They were greeted by Camilla and an exchange of gifts followed, including a hand-knotted prayer mat and a bespoke falconry glove made in red deerskin and bearing the King’s cypher for the Emir.

At last night’s state banquet the menu was halal out of respect for many of the guests present and while alcohol was served for those who wanted it, a ‘mocktail’ was also devised for the occasion.

The menu included a tartlet of Cornish lobster and quail’s eggs to start; supreme of Windsor pheasant wrapped in savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac puree, gratinated potatoes with a soft creamy cheese from Suffolk, truffle sauce and winter vegetables; with an iced bombe with organic Samoan vanilla ice cream and Balmoral plum sorbet for dessert.