The Queen and British Royal Family hosted Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates on his State Visit to Britain on this day in 1989, 35 years ago, following the Queen’s State Visit to the United Arab Emirates in 1979.
The Queen (wearing the Queen Alexandra’s Kokoshnik Tiara, Greville Diamond Chandelier Earrings and King George VI Festoon Necklace) and Duke of Edinburgh hosted a State Banquet for Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates at Buckingham Palace, also attended by the Queen Mother (in the Greville Tiara) and Princess Royal (wearing Princess Andrew’s Meander Tiara).
Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan also hosted a Return Banquet in honour of the Queen (wearing the Girls of Great Britain and Ireland Tiara and her Emerald Tassel Suite) and British Royal Family at Claridge’s Hotel.
The Princess of Wales (wearing the Spencer Tiara, Prince of Wales Feathers Pendant and Qatar Pearl Earrings)
The Duchess of Gloucester (wearing the Gloucester Honeysuckle Tiara and Queen Mary’s 11-row Pearl Choker)
Princess Alexandra of Kent (wearing the Ogilvy Tiara and her Golden Jubilee Necklace)
The State Banquet was a very sparkling affair, with many members of the Royal Family attending. Apart from those mentioned in the post Princess Margaret, the Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent and Princess Michael of Kent did all attend (as did the Princess of Wales and Princess Alexandra). Those were the days…
And let us not forget the banquet hosted by the City of London with the Lord Mayor as host. The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester represented the Queen.
I must say I miss the days when the visiting Head of State also gave a banquet as a “thank you” for the hospitality given to him / her during the State Visit – where they also could show a small part of their own country to the host in the form of food or entertainment.