The Italian President
offers a banquet to
The Emir of Qatar
Sheikh Tamim Al Thani
who presents him with
the Sword of the Founder
Speech by President Sergio Mattarella in honor of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
On 21 October 2024, the Emir of Qatar was on an official visit to Italy. President Sergio Mattarella had rolled out the red carpet at the Quirinale Palace for Sheikh Tamim, who concluded his day with a sumptuous banquet. The Emir of Qatar presented the Founder’s Sword to the Italian President, who in exchange presented him with the collar of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit.
On October 21, 2024, the Emir of Qatar is received by the Italian President during a solemn welcome at the Quirinal Palace (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
Sergio Mattarella receives the Emir Tamim of Qatar at the Quirinal
The Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, is on a tour of Europe. After France and Belgium, the Qatari sovereign was in Italy on Monday, before heading to Germany. Sheikh Tamim met Giorgia Meloni on October 21, during a meeting organized at the Villa Doria Pamphilj. In the evening, it was the President of the Italian Republic who awaited his Qatari guest at the Quirinal Palace.
During the evening exchange of distinctions, the Emir of Qatar receives the collar of Knight Grand Cross of the Italian Order of Merit (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
The Quirinal Palace, a sumptuous residence built in the 16th century on top of the Roman hill of the same name, was the residence of the popes, before becoming that of the kings of Italy from 1870. The palace is today the residence of the presidents of the Italian Republic. Earlier in the day, President Sergio Mattarella had already reserved a formal welcome for the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Al Thani, upon his arrival on Italian soil.
Diplomatic gifts offered by the Emir of Qatar to the Italian President, including the Founder's Sword (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
The Emir of Qatar receives the distinction of Knight Grand Cross of the Italian Order of Merit
In the evening, President Sergio Mattarella met Emir Tamim in one of the apartments of the Quirinal to exchange diplomatic gifts and distinctions. In gratitude for his hospitality, the Italian President received the Sword of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani, more simply called the Sword of the Founder.
This is the highest award given by the State of Qatar. The distinction bears the name of the founder of the modern State of Qatar. His father, Sheikh Mohammed, was already the leader of the Qatari peninsula, the first to be recognized by the British in 1868. Sheikh Jassim, through his many victorious battles, his many structural reforms, his constructions and the creation of a solid State, is considered the founder of modern Qatar. He reigned from 1878 and is an ancestor of the current Emir.
Diplomatic gifts offered by President Mattarella to the Emir of Qatar including his collar of the Order of Merit (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
The sword that is awarded as a distinction, only to heads of state and members of royal families, is a faithful copy of the sword actually worn by Sheikh Jassim. The copy is made based on precise descriptions that exist of the object. The scabbard and decoration of the sword are made of 18 carat gold. A hallmark is present near the base of the sword. The handle of the sword is made of camel bone. The first part of the scabbard was hand-chiseled and is set with tourmaline and garnet stones.
President Mattarella hosts a banquet for the visit of the Emir of Qatar (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
In exchange, President Sergio Mattarella presented the Italian Order of Merit to his guest. The Emir of Qatar received the rank of Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Merit, decorated with the Grand Cordon with Collar. The Order of Merit is also the highest distinction awarded in Italy today. After this exchange of gifts, the two heads of state went to the Banquet Hall where each gave a speech to open the meal.
Speech by President Sergio Mattarella in honor of Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
The Italian President said he was "pleased with the discussions and consultations that took place during the meetings between the two parties, hoping that this visit will contribute to taking relations between the two friendly countries to broader horizons." In his speech, Emir Tamim "expressed his deep thanks and appreciation for the warm welcome he received." The Qatari sovereign "also stressed the State of Qatar's willingness to continue strengthening bilateral relations to serve the interests of both countries and cooperate on regional and international issues of common interest."
The Emir of Qatar then delivers his speech, between the Italian president and his daughter, Laura Mattarella, who acts as first lady in Italy, the president being a widower (Photo: Amiri Diwan)
Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, a cousin of the Emir, who is also Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, attended the banquet. Qatari businessmen and senior officials were invited to the meal. On the Italian side, several ministers and senior officials were present.
Nicolas Fontaine
ROYAL ARTS VISIONS; Sheikh Tamim Al Thani Emir of Qatar receives the distinction of Knight Grand Cross of the Italian Order of Merit