Joint UK-Qatar Typhoon squadron escorts Amir into the UK
December 5, 2024
The State Visit is a reflection of the great value which the United Kingdom places on its diplomatic, economic, military, academic and cultural links with the State of Qatar, which is viewed as being a friend and an ally, and as a leader in the region with global influence and strategic importance for the UK.
The Amir is no stranger to the UK, having been educated at Sherborne School and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Since becoming Amir in 2013, on the abdication of his father, Sheikh Tamim has made eight previous visits to the United Kingdom. He visited to mourn the loss of the late Queen Elizabeth II at her State Funeral, and again to celebrate the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III.
Arriving in UK airspace on 2 December, the Qatar Amiri Flight Boeing 747-8BBJ (A7-HHE, the Amir’s primary aircraft) carrying the Amir and his wife was meet and welcomed by two Eurofighter Typhoons, reflecting the important and enduring defence relationship between the two countries. These came from No.12 Squadron, the joint UK-Qatar Typhoon squadron, based at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.
Though it wears a Qatar Airways livery, the Amir’s Boeing 747 is not a normal airliner. It is luxuriously appointed and is fitted with comprehensive communications and self-protection systems.
The Typhoon formation greeted the VIP aircraft saying: “On behalf of His Majesty’s Britannic Government of the United Kingdom, it is with great honour that we extend our sincere welcome to Your Highness Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar on the occasion of this State Visit. As members of the Joint Qatari-UK Typhoon Squadron and on behalf of the Royal Air Force, we are honoured to support your arrival today with a visible signal of our strategic partnership and wish you a successful visit.”
The rest of the visit
The King formally welcomed Their Highnesses The Amir and Sheikha Jawaher of the State of Qatar to the UK at Horse Guards Parade. Following the playing of the two National Anthems, the Amir was invited to inspect a Guard of Honour and received a Royal Salute.
The morning of pageantry was followed by a trip to Westminster where the Amir addressed both chambers of the Houses of Parliament assembled in the Robing Room of the House of Lords.
The Amir highlighted the situation in Gaza, saying that the “tragic images that we see on a daily basis do not do it justice.” He also observed that: “Both Qatar and the UK believe that the conflict will not end until a sovereign Palestinian state is established.”
The Royal Families then travelled along The Mall to Buckingham Palace in a Carriage Procession, where His Majesty and Their Highnesses were greeted with a Royal Salute and Guard of Honour.
In the evening, The King, accompanied by The Queen and other members of the Royal Family, hosted a State Banquet in the Ballroom at Buckingham Palace. Reflecting the Amir’s love of football (and Manchester United in particular) David Beckham was among the guests!
On Wednesday the Amir had a meeting with the prime minister at 10 Downing Street, and he was then hosted by the Secretary of State for Defence John Healey and Sir Rich Knighton, the Chief of the Air Staff, for a visit to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
