Royal resilience: King Charles to host state visit with Qatar’s Amir during cancer treatment

King Charles and Queen Camilla are preparing to wrap up one of their most challenging years with a dash of Royal splendour, as they gear up to host their second state visit of the year in December. The King, 75, and Queen, 77, are scheduled to welcome the Amir of Qatar and his first wife and consort on December 3 and December 4, Buckingham Palace has confirmed – less than a year since the monarch disclosed his cancer battle to the world.

While specifics of the visit by His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani remain under wraps, it’s expected to include a grand banquet, customary for visiting heads of state. These banquets, often considered a crucial part of any foreign leader’s visit, are usually among the few white tie events the royals attend each year – with many Royal women bringing out their tiaras for the event.

The state visit will also poignantly conclude what has undoubtedly been one of the most taxing years the Royal family has endured in recent history, with 2024 witnessing both King Charles and Princess Kate diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer, Sarah Ferguson, the Duchess of York battling skin cancer just a year after overcoming breast cancer – and Princess Anne recovering from a severe horse riding accident earlier this summer.

The visit of the Amir will take place just a month after Prince Charles and Camilla return from their tour to Australia and Samoa. The King has even delayed his cancer treatment to undertake this overseas journey, accompanied by two of his doctors.

It’s still uncertain which members of the Royal family will be present to support the King and Queen during the Amir’s visit. In the past, Prince William and Kate Middleton have often played key roles, such as welcoming guests and accompanying them to Horse Guards Parade, near Buckingham Palace, reports OK!.