The Princess of Wales will now undertake even more royal duties than previously planned at tomorrow’s state visit in what is being seen as a ‘positive sign’ in royal circles.
Catherine, 42, will undertake her most significant public engagement since she began cancer treatment as she welcomes the Emir of Qatar to London on behalf of the King.
She will also take part in an official welcome on Horse Guards and a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace.
And it has now been confirmed that she also will join the royal party for a private lunch at the monarch’s official residence and stay to view a display of priceless Qatari artefacts from the Royal Collection afterwards.
The only aspect of the day she will miss will be tomorrow evening’s glittering State Banquet.
A royal source described the announcement of her attendance as ‘good news’ as the princess continues with her a slow and measured return to public life after the completion of her preventative chemotherapy treatment.
Catherine announced in March that she had embarked on a gruelling course of cancer treatment after doctors found evidence of the disease following major abdominal surgery in January.
In September she revealed that this had now been completed but warned that it would take time and patience for her to return to full-time royal duties as she continued on her slow road to recovery.
The Princess of Wales on a balcony at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office during the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London on November 10
The Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, with his first wife – and second cousin – Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, arrive at Stansted Airport today
The Emir of Qatar and his wife are driven away from Stansted Airport this afternoon
Tomorrow’s state visit is considered one of the highlights of the royal calendar and a show of royal ‘soft diplomacy’ in action.
Senior Qatari diplomats have told the Mail that they are ‘deeply honoured’ the King has chosen their country as the first Middle Eastern state to be invited for a full state visit to the UK since Charles’ accession.
The country enjoys a good relationship with the UK diplomatically, with the Emir, 44, having studied in Britain – first at Sherborne and then Harrow – followed by a stint at the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst.
There remains great admiration for the late Queen Elizabeth, and King Charles has met with the Emir on several occasions.
The two countries also have strong trade, cultural and military links, and Qatar is a major investor in the UK, not just through property and construction projects, but in science and technology.
However concerns have been raised about the authoritarian nature of the Qatari ruling family and human rights, particularly as regards migrant workers.
The Emir, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, will be bringing his first wife -and second cousin – Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad Al Thani, with him on the visit.
She is the mother of four of his 13 children and normally accompanies him on official visits abroad. He also has two subsequent spouses.
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
The plane carrying the Emir of Qatar arrives at Stansted Airport in Essex today
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives today for the state visit
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives today for the state visit
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
His Majesty’s Ambassador to Qatar, Neerav Patel, at London Stansted Airport today
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives today for the state visit
The plane carrying the Emir of Qatar arrives at Stansted Airport in Essex today
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
The plane carrying the Emir of Qatar arrives at Stansted Airport in Essex today
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
The Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani arrives today for the state visit
The Emir of Qatar and his wife arrive at Stansted Airport in Essex today for the state visit
The couple landed in the UK at Stansted Airport today where they were greeted on behalf of the sovereign by the Lord in Waiting, The Viscount Hood.
Tomorrow they will be officially welcomed by the Prince and Princess of Wales at their residence, before being escorted to Horse Guards Parade where the King and Queen Camilla will be waiting for an impressive ceremonial welcome.
National anthems will be played and the Emir invited to inspect a Guard of Honour.
The royal party will then return in a carriage procession to Buckingham Palace for a private lunch followed by an exhibition in the Picture Gallery of items from the Royal Collection Trust and Turquoise Mountain charity relating to Qatar.
Prince William will later receive the Emir at Kensington Palace before the evening’s State Banquet, which he will attend but not his wife.
The princess has attended a number of high profile events such as Trooping the Colour, Remembrance Sunday and Wimbledon over the last 11 months since she effectively withdrew from public life to focus on her health.
But this appearance will be her most significant so far given that she will be playing a far more active role in events and be seen in public for a lengthy period of time.
Members of the RAF await the arrival of the Emir of Qatar at Stansted Airport today
Royal Air Force personnel and police wait for the Emir of Qatar to arrive at Stansted today
Members of the RAF await the arrival of the Emir of Qatar at Stansted Airport today
Royal Air Force personnel and police wait for the Emir of Qatar to arrive at Stansted today
Members of the RAF await the arrival of the Emir of Qatar at Stansted Airport today
Royal Air Force personnel and police wait for the Emir of Qatar to arrive at Stansted today
Members of the RAF await the arrival of the Emir of Qatar at Stansted Airport today
Flags line The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace today ahead of the Emir of Qatar’s visit
Royal-watchers will be delighted at the news that Catherine is taking a further step forward as part of her staggered return to full-time royal duties.
In September she spoke of her ‘relief’ at having finally completed her chemotherapy treatment, but stressed that the last nine months had been ‘incredibly tough’ for them as a family.
She was first admitted to hospital in January for what has only been described as major abdominal surgery.
However afterwards doctors found evidence that cancer had been present and recommended a course of preventative chemotherapy.
The couple chose to keep the news private for several weeks in order to come to terms with the news and protect their children, before the princess bravely went public with her diagnosis in March.
Talking of the ‘complex, scary and unpredictable nature’ of cancer journeys, Catherine said recently that doing what she could to ‘stay cancer free is now my focus’ and emphasised that her path to full recovery would be ‘long’.
The princess said she would undertake a few more public engagements in the coming months when she could but stressed that her focus would remain on her continued recovery and her young family.
