David and Victoria Beckham are attending their first ever State Banquet at Buckingham Palace
The King is hosting the Emir of the State of Qatar for a two-day State Visit to the United Kingdom, at the request of the British Government.
The former England football star signed a controversial deal, worth a reported £10 million, to become an ambassador for Qatar during the 2022 World Cup.
Beckham was widely criticised at the time, due to the country’s strict anti-LGBTQ+ laws and other alleged human rights abuses.
David and Victoria Beckham are attending their first ever State Banquet at Buckingham Palace
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In 2023, Beckham responded to criticism during a red carpet interview saying: “I had a lot of conversations with the LGBTQ community when I was [in Qatar]. They said they had enjoyed the games and they felt it was the safest World Cup they’d had for a long time, it was an important competition and one I was proud to be a part of.”
It has been reported David Beckham is good friends with the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamil bin Hamad Al Thani, who is being hosted by King Charles.
This year, Beckham became an ambassador for The King’s Foundation, a charity set up by King Charles when he was Prince of Wales.
David Beckham is sat next to Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, the final club he played for as a professional footballer.
David Beckham is sat to the left of leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch MP
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Al-Khelaifi continues to be a Qatari businessman and a Minister of State of Qatar.
Unexpectedly, to Beckham’s right, is leader of the Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch MP.
It is unknown if the pair have spent an extended period of time together before.
Victoria Beckham is sat closer to The King and Queen, on the opposite side of the table in Buckingham Palace’s grand Ballroom.
Victoria Beckham received her OBE from Prince William during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2017
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She is sat next to two members of the House of Lords, Michael Levy and Ara Darzi.
The last time David Beckham is thought to have been invited to Buckingham Palace in an official capacity was in 2018, for the late Queen’s Young Leader Award.
Victoria Beckham received her OBE from Prince William during a ceremony at Buckingham Palace in 2017.
The Prince of Wales is also attending the State Banquet, but The Princess of Wales is absent.
