Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani today begins a two-day state visit to Britain hosted by King Charles III as the UK aims to seal a trade deal with the oil-rich Gulf states, AFP reports.

The visit by the emir, 44, and his consort, Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, will include a state banquet at Buckingham Palace and talks at Downing Street with the country’s Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The government, elected in July, is hoping to conclude a free trade deal with the Gulf Cooperation Council’s six nations: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.

The Qatari couple, who arrived on Monday at Stansted airport east of London, will be greeted by heir to the throne Prince William and his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, at their Kensington Palace residence in west London.

The royal party will then travel to Horse Guards Parade in central London where they will meet Charles, 76 and received a ceremonial welcome. In the evening they will attend a state banquet hosted by Charles and Camilla.