Prince Edward visits Qatar to pay respects to Emir

Prince Edward travelled to Qatar to pay respects following the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani.

The Duke of Edinburgh left the United Kingdom for the State of Qatar on Tuesday evening for a diplomatic mission on behalf of King Charles III. The Amiri Diwan announced the death of Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, the Father Emir of Qatar, on Sunday morning, which plunged the nation into a period of national mourning — with countries in the region following suit in solidarity with the country.

Photo: Amiri Diwan

Over the past three days, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has been receiving condolences from regional and international Heads of State, members of the royal and ruling families, foreign dignitaries, and Qatari citizens at the Amir’s official residence, Lusail Palace. King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, Crown Prince Al Hussein of Jordan, the Crown Prince of Oman, Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, as well as the Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khalid Al-Sabah, amongst others, have all travelled to Qatar to express their condolences in person.

This morning, at Lusail Palace, the Duke of Edinburgh was received by the Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, where Prince Edward expressed his condolences on behalf of King Charles. The Amiri Diwan notes that the Deputy Emir, Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad Al Thani, amongst others, were also present during the audience.

The United Kingdom and Qatar share close ties and have had various visits, both grand state occasions and also private — even more sentimental — meetings between the two families. In December 2024, the Emir, accompanied by his wife, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani, carried out a two-day state visit to the United Kingdom, which saw the Emiri Couple be hosted by King Charles, Queen Camilla and the British Royal Family at Buckingham Palace, including the traditional carriage ride up The Mall. It was the fourth incoming state visit under the King’s new reign.

However, it was in 2022 that the Emir travelled to Windsor, becoming one of the last foreign heads of state to be received by the late Queen Elizabeth II. In May of that year, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani paid a working visit to the United Kingdom, which saw the Emir meet with the late Queen at Windsor. The 96-year-old Queen Elizabeth II received the Emir in the Castle’s Oak Room — the Amiri Diwan notes that the private audience underscored the “historic friendship” between the two countries.

After celebrating her Platinum Jubilee the next month, Queen Elizabeth II died at Balmoral Castle in Scotland just two months later on 8 September 2022.