Emir of Qatar arrives at Sandhurst for military ceremony after banquet with King Charles – live updates

Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, who made history on Strictly Come Dancing as the show’s first deaf contestant, is to receive a royal honour at Windsor Castle.

The former EastEnders actress will be honoured by the Princess Royal on Wednesday alongside 60 others, including Hari Budha Magar – the first above-the-knee double-amputee to summit Mount Everest.

Born deaf, Ayling-Ellis, 30, was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the King’s Birthday Honours for voluntary services to the deaf community.

The first deaf contestant to ever take part in Strictly, she won the 2021 series and legions of new fans after a routine in which the music paused and she and partner Giovanni Pernice danced in silence as a tribute to the deaf community.

Qatar, one of the richest Gulf states, is a key mediator in the Israel-Hamas war and there are reports the Government is hoping to seal a free-trade deal with the Gulf Co-operation Council.

But the country has faced criticism over its human rights record, in particular its criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

Polly Truscott, Amnesty International UK’s foreign policy adviser, said: “It’s important that Qatar’s poor human rights record isn’t overlooked during the pomp and ceremony of this visit.

“During the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup, migrant workers from places like Nepal, India and Bangladesh suffered years of appalling abuse because of Qatar’s lax labour laws and a failure to enforce even the laws that were in place.”

In his speech at last night’s state banquet, the Emir paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II: “Back in 2010, your mother – the late and cherished, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth – told my father that she saw the Qatari people as ‘old and valued friends’, and expressed her hope that the UK would be a ‘home from home’ for them. And it certainly is.”

He praised the King, saying: “The United Kingdom and Qatar are not only friends, but partners.

“Through our joint diplomacy efforts, cultural exchanges and economic investments, we shape the global landscape.

“I would like to commend you, Your Majesty, for your steadfast commitment and unfailing leadership promoting inter-faith dialogue, peace efforts, and protection of the environment. Thank you, once again, for your incredible hospitality.”

He referenced the King’s continuing cancer treatment when he concluded: “Let us pray for the continued health of His Majesty, and to the strength of our alliance and friendship.”

The King praised Qatar’s “invaluable” efforts as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas war in a banquet speech which spoke touchingly of the bonds between the UK and the Gulf state.

He told the Emir as the first day of his two-day state visit drew to a close: “If I may, I would particularly like to express the United Kingdom’s deepest gratitude for your tireless mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace, in the face of unbearable heartache and suffering.

“In these most desperate of circumstances, Qatar’s continued toil, perseverance and diplomatic efforts are, quite simply, beyond compare.

“These are duties that we all share. As the Koran says: ‘Whoever saves a life, it will be as if they saved all of humanity’.

“And as the Bible says: ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God’. We stand with you in our commitment to a world where peace and justice prevail over division.”

Wednesday marks the final day of the Emir of Qatar’s two-day state visit to the UK.

The emir is currently at the Royal Military Academy in Sandhurst with defence secretary Defence Secretary John Healey, before he returns to Buckingham Palace for a formal farewell from the King.

He will then visit 10 Downing Street for a bilateral meeting with the Prime Minister and attend an evening dinner at Mansion House given by the Lord Mayor and City of London Corporation before heading to Stansted Airport

Showbiz royalty David and Victoria Beckham have attended their first state banquet at Buckingham Palace as they joined the King and Queen for the glittering affair in honour of the Qatari ruler.

The ex-England captain and the former Spice Girl turned fashion designer – dubbed “Posh and Becks” – were among the 170 guests in the Palace ballroom on Tuesday evening.

Beckham was invited because of his close relationship with Qatar after acting as a paid ambassador for the country when it hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup, which netted him a reported £10 million.

But he faced fierce criticism over the connection because of Qatar’s criminalisation of same-sex relationships.

Beckham and former Posh Spice, Victoria, dined on a menu of Windsor pheasant, Cornish lobsters and a Balmoral plum sorbet, joining guests such as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Prince of Wales.