David and Victoria Beckham join the King and Queen at lavish State Banquet at Buckingham Palace for the first time

DAVID and Victoria Beckham have attended their first ever State Banquet at Buckingham Palace tonight to help welcome the Qataris to Britain.

The former England captain, 49, and ex Spice Girl, 50, were invited to the lavish dinner thanks to David's £150million role as a sporting ambassador in the Arab state.

David was placed next to Tory leader Kemi Badenoch and Qatari sports exec Nasser Al-Khelaifi, who is president of Beckham's last football club PSG.

Victoria was next to The Lord Levy and Lord Darzi of Denham.

They have attended events at Buckingham Palace before but never been to a State Banquet.

It comes during the first day of the two-day State Visit for Qatar.

WORLD CUP BACKLASH

David received backlash in 2022 when flying to the Qatar World Cup on a multi-million pound deal because of the country's human rights record, particularly towards women and gay people.

The Sun reported in 2021 that Beckham had signed a deal netting £15million a year for a decade to become Qatar's ambassador, earning him £150million in total.

We also reported that he received a £10million deal to front Qatar World Cup ads.

After the football tournament, he defended going over there and said he was "proud" to have been part of the "important competition".

The lavish State Banquet, which has welcomed around 150 guests to the palace ballroom, came at the end of the first day of Qatar's two-day State Visit.

The Princess of Wales beamed in her most important public engagement since her cancer diagnosis as she greeted the Amir and wife Sheika Kawaher with Prince William.

They then travelled with them to Horse Guards Parade for a Welcome Ceremony with King Charles.

Kate joined a carriage procession back to Buckingham Palace, had a private lunch and enjoyed an exhibition of priceless Qatari artefacts.

But she did not go to the State Banquet as she reserved energy for her heartwarming Christmas carol service in Westminster Abbey on Friday.

CAMILLA'S ILLNESS

Meanwhile, Queen Camilla had to pull out of the welcome ceremony, but joined the royal party back at Buckingham Palace.

She told guests today that her chest infection had been a form on pneumonia.

A source today said she has "recovered well" but "continues to experience episodic symptoms of post-viral fatigue".

The Queen wore a a red velvet dress and jewellery belonging to the late Queen Elizabeth as she joined the King in the royal procession into the banquet.

The King said in a speech that the ties between Britain are “profound, personal and historic”, which are “built on years of collaboration, mutual respect and a shared commitment to peace and prosperity”.

He particularly praised Qatar’s “mediation efforts over the past year in pursuit of peace, against the most unbearable heartache and suffering”.

And he added: “I take some comfort in the knowledge that our governments are also collaborating to tackle the most pressing shared threats to humanity: climate change and biodiversity loss.”

The Amir thanked the King for the "friendship" he and the Queen showed, adding: "The United Kingdom and Qatar are not only friends, but partners."

He also said: "I would like to commend you, Your Majesty, for your steadfast commitment and unfailing leadership promoting inter-faith dialogue, peace efforts, and protection of the environment."

Guests are treated to a selection of wines on the menu, and a posh three course meal.

They had a light tartlet of Cornish Lobster with quail eggs and organic salad leaves.

Main is Supreme of Windsor Pheasant wrapped in savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac puree, gratinated potatoes with a soft creamy cheese from Suffolk, truffle sauce and a selection of winter vegetables.

Pudding is iced bombe with organic Samoan ice cream and Balmoral plum sorbet.