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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.
Camilla joined the banquet after it was revealed she had contracted pneumonia after a long-haul trip to Australia and Samoa.
It is understood that she no longer has the infection but continues to struggle with post-viral fatigue after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover.
Missing was the Princess of Wales, who is gradually returning to public duties after her cancer treatment and who left earlier in the day after the lunch and Picture Gallery exhibition.
David and Victoria Beckham join King and Queen at Qatari state banquet
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.
Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 09:23
Queen no longer coughing but still extremely tired, according to royal source
Camilla no longer has a cough but is still extremely tired at times, according to a royal source.
They said: “Some days the Queen is on really good form. It’s just one of those things.
“She has lost the coughing but the lingering side of it is bouts of extreme tiredness.
“There has to be a degree of flex in the Queen’s diary at the moment.”
Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 08:00
In photos: Queen and King attend state banquet




Shweta Sharma4 December 2024 07:22
David and Victoria Beckham grace state banquet for the first time at place
Soccer star David Beckham and his wife Victoria attended their first state banquet at the Buckingham Palace in honour of the Qatari royals.
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 yesterday evening.
He was invited due to his close relationship with Qatar following his stint as a paid ambassador for the country when it hosted the 2022 Fifa World Cup.
The esteemed guests will dine on an expansive 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.
Missing was the Princess of Wales, who is gradually returning to public duties after her cancer treatment and who left earlier in the day after the lunch and Picture Gallery exhibition.

Shweta Sharma4 December 2024 07:16
Camilla attends Qatar state banquet after chest infection revelation
The Queen, who is suffering from post-viral fatigue after having pneumonia, stepped out for the state banquet for the Qatari royals at Buckingham Palace.
The Queen joined the King and the Prince of Wales to welcome the Emir of Qatar and his wife who are on a state visit to the UK.
Camilla wore a deep red velvet evening gown and towering Diamond Kokoshnik Tiara that belonged to the late Queen, as did her diamond necklace to welcome the guests.

The high-profile guest list included David and Victoria Beckham in the Buckingham Palace Ballroom on Tuesday evening.
She marked her appearance after missing the outdoor ceremonial welcome on Horse Guards Parade yesterday, waiting in the warm inside the Palace instead, where she told guests she had suffered from pneumonia.
Shweta Sharma4 December 2024 07:01
Queen’s chest infection ‘was form of pneumonia’ – ICYMI
The Queen has told guests at the state visit that her chest infection was a form of pneumonia.
Camilla is suffering from post-viral fatigue and is missing the outdoor elements of the Qatari visit after being urged by her doctors to take more time to recover.
It is understood Camilla’s condition was viral, not bacterial, and she no longer has pneumonia.
The Queen missed the outdoor ceremonial welcome on a chilly Horse Guards Parade on Tuesday.
Instead, she arrived at Buckingham Palace shortly beforehand, giving a smile as she stepped from her car at the Grand Entrance.
Camilla, 77, waited for the Emir of Qatar and his wife inside, in the warm surroundings of the Grand Hall.
She contracted her chest infection after a long haul trip to Australia and Samoa and has pulled out a series of engagements since then, including the the Royal Variety Performance, the Gladiator II premiere and the Remembrance Day service at the Cenotaph.
It is understood the Queen was not taken to hospital with pneumonia, but is now facing bouts of extreme tiredness.
Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 07:00
Watch: Princess of Wales adds final touches to Christmas carol service plans
Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 06:00
In pictures: King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery perform gun salute in St James’s Park


Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 04:00
Princess of Wales’s attendance at Horse Guards Parade ceremony marks start of busier week for her
The Princess of Wales’s attendance at the Horse Guards Parade ceremony marks the start of a busier week for her.
Kate will be hosting her annual Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey on Friday, when she is expected to be joined by her children and husband for the event.
The princess has been gradually returning to royal duties after she announced in September she had completed her chemotherapy treatment and her focus was “doing what I can to stay cancer free”.
Her participation in the ceremony on Horse Guards Parade is one of her few official appearances this year.
She will travel with her husband in the carriage procession and the couple will join Charles and Camilla as they host a lunch for their guests Sheikh Tamim and Sheikha Jawaher.
However, Kate will not attend the state banquet hosted by the King, although William will be a guest.
Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 02:00
Full story: Thomas Kingston, Lady Gabriella’s husband, ‘took life after reaction to medication’
At an inquest into his death held at Gloucestershire Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, Lady Gabriella, 43, called for people to be warned about the effects of medications used to treat mental health conditions or she feared more people could die.
Read the full story here:
Athena Stavrou4 December 2024 00:03