As part of the entertainment for tonight’s State Banquet, musicians will play an unusual rendition of a famous Disney song for guests at Buckingham Palace.
The Amir of the State of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, along with Her Highness Sheikha Jawaher bin Hamad bin Suhaim Al Thani are in the UK for a two-day state visit.
The Qatari royals received an official welcome earlier today by the Royal Family and tonight, they are invited alongside officials to a lavish State Banquet hosted by King Charles and Queen Camilla at the King’s official residence.
While guests enjoy lobster and other fine delicacies tonight, they will also be treated to a variety of musical performances by The Hiraeth String Quartet composed of some of the most talented students from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.
Among the setlist, the quartet will play a classical rendition of a hit song from the Disney Film, Moana, titled ‘How Far I’ll Go’.
Disney describes Moana as a film about “an adventurous teenager who, with help from mighty demigod Maui, sails out on a daring mission across the open ocean, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds to prove herself a master wayfinder and to fulfil the ancient quest of her ancestors and save her people”.
Other pieces in the setlist include music by Vivaldi and Mozart, and therefore Disney is an interesting and unusual choice for the King and his guests.
This evening, VIPs with cultural and diplomatic ties to the country are invited to the soiree at the Palace to be hosted by the Royal Family.
The guests are set to enjoy a lavish meal, which includes Cornish lobster as a starter, followed by Windsor pheasant for the main course.
After dinner, guests will be offered a bespoke mocktail, devised by the Page of the Presence, who is studying for an MA and is also a part-time mixologist.
The drink, called ‘Royal Mirage’ is a special mixture made with smoked pomegranate and ginger with a black lime garnish. It reflects the red colours of Qatar and it’s no alcohol out of respect for the Qatari royals’ culture and religion, and the fact they don’t drink.
Accompanying The Hiraeth String Quartet will be The King’s Harpist, Mared Pugh-Evans. Mared performed during an official visit as part of the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama’s celebration for His Majesty’s 70th birthday celebrations.
Flowers that have been arranged in silver-gilt centrepieces on the tables for the State Banquet were picked from the Windsor Home Park and the Orchard Garden at the glasshouses in Windsor.
After the banquet is over, the flowers are donated to Floral Angels, a charity based at the New Covent Garden Flower Market in London whose patron is Her Majesty The Queen. These flowers are then delivered to hospices, elderly care homes and shelters to benefit the local community.
