Victoria and David Beckham rubbed shoulders with royalty during a state banquet at Buckingham Palace

The Beckhams sat apart during the meal - as is custom - with David being seated between Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Nasser Al-Khelaifi, president of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) football club.

Victoria found herself seated with Labour peer Lord Levy and former health minister Lord Darzi of Denham.

Other guests at the event included UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and William, Prince of Wales.

King Charles was joined by his wife Queen Camilla, but Catherine, Princess of Wales was absent from the bash.

The monarch gave a speech welcoming the Emir and his wife to the palace during the two-day state visit.

He said: "In many ways, this evening might be seen as a homecoming, Your Highness is no stranger to these shores, having spent so much of your younger years at three of our most renowned institutions: Sherborne, Harrow and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.

"Your many visits since then have served as a testament to the close personal ties that bind our nations and our families."

Guests at the bash were served a lavish menu that included a tartlet of Cornish lobster with quail eggs and organic salad leaves, supreme of Windsor pheasant wrapped in savoy cabbage, with roasted celeriac puree, gratinated potatoes, truffle sauce and a selection of winter vegetables.

The meal was followed by a dessert of organic Samoan vanilla ice cream and Balmoral Plum Sorbet.

Guests were also served a special non-alcoholic cocktail called the Royal Mirage made up of smoked pomegranate and ginger with black lime reflecting the colour of the Qatari flag.