Burgundy seems to be the comeback color for the Princess of Wales. In one of her favorite outfits, the coat dress, Kate shines this December 3 on the arm of her husband, Prince William, on the first day of the state visit of the Qatari royal couple, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, in the United Kingdom. This is the most important appearance of the Princess of Wales since the announcement of her cancer, then the end of her chemotherapy, since she represents the king during the reception of the visiting duo at their London residence .
First and last state visit of the year for Kate who, for the occasion, wore a dress by Sarah Burton for Alexander McQueen as well as a matching Sahar Millinery hat, on her hair pulled up in a bun. Posing for photographers, Prince William’s wife took the opportunity to chat with Sheikha Jawaher. A few minutes later, the quartet rushes into two cars, the women in one, the men in the other, towards Horse Guards Parade where King Charles III is waiting for them, without his wife Camilla still suffering from an infection viral, under the pavilion set up for the occasion.
In unison, the cars park, Prince William accompanied by the Emir of Qatar, just as Kate and her guest, Sheikha Jawaher, get out to walk into the square where the welcoming ceremony will be held, under the sky gray of the capital. Nine hundred soldiers await them there, including 200 military musicians. Honor to the sovereign couple who greet Charles III first, then Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the other invited dignitaries. William and Kate follow, curtsying, her father-in-law’s back barely turned. Qatari anthem, salute from the British guard of honor, review of the troops by Charles III accompanied by his guest of the day, traditions are respected.
Then return to Buckingham Palace for the quartet and King Charles III who join, in two different carriages, the Mall adorned with British and Qatari flags, for a warm private lunch. Meanwhile, Queen Camilla had discreetly gone to Buckingham Palace, in order to also participate in the meal.
After lunch, a change of shoes for the Princess of Wales who swaps her heeled boots for pumps to accompany the Qatari couple into the Picture Gallery to admire objects from the Royal Collection Trust and the Turquoise Mountain Foundation, linked in Qatar. Queen Camilla, King Charles, Prince William and his wife are happy to present the different trinkets. End of the day for the Princess of Wales who will not attend the state dinner this evening, while Prince William will welcome Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Than to Kensington Palace for a private meeting later in the afternoon .
Since announcing the end of her chemotherapy on September 9, Kate has appeared on the royal scene several times. At the beginning of October she received the young Liz Hatton, 17 years old, suffering from cancer and who died on November 27. On October 10, she returned to the field alongside her husband, Prince William, for a trip to Southport to visit the bereaved families after the killings that took place this summer in the same city. If she shows herself sparingly, the Princess of Wales proves how eager she is to resume her obligations.
Next appointment for Kate, her Christmas concert. Together at Christmas, which brings together every year the Middletons, the royal family, and guests hand-picked according to the theme of the day, will be recorded on December 6 at Westminster Abbey for broadcast on the evening of the 24th on the ITV channel. The opportunity for the Princess of Wales to highlight the importance of love and empathy in our daily lives.
Read also >> Kate reveals her Christmas letter: “We are all each other’s light”
