Queen Camilla, who has been suffering from a lingering chest infection, pulled out of the formal outdoors event on medical advice. She plans to take part in a lunch at the palace and attend the evening banquet.

Though smaller than the US state of Connecticut, Qatar has the world’s third-largest reserves of natural gas and is a key investor in the UK.

Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani arrives on a state visit to Britain, at Stansted Airport near London on Tuesday. Reuters

The Qatari Investment Authority owns the luxury retailer Harrod’s and holds large stakes in British companies such as Barclays Bank and the supermarket chain Sainsbury’s. It has also invested heavily in London real estate, including the Shard, western Europe’s tallest building.

The visit comes as the princess is set to deliver a heartful Christmas message about the importance of love at her upcoming annual carol service.

Kate has written a letter, featured with the order of service for the event on Friday, telling the 1,600 Westminster Abbey carol goers: “Love is the light that can shine bright, even in our darkest times.”

Agencies