Proud David Beckham gives a reassuring hand to wife Victoria after she appears nervous as they join the royals at King’s glittering state banquet in Qatar

Proud David Beckham shook his wife Victoria’s hand in reassurance on Tuesday evening as they joined the royals at King’s glittering state banquet in Qatar.

The former footballer, 49, attended the event with his fashion designer wife, 50, who at one point looked slightly nervous as they walked before David took her hand reassuringly.

King Charles and Queen Camilla will host a lavish reception for the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, who are in the country on a two-day state visit.

It is understood former England star David was invited due to his role as ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

He sat next to Naseer Al-Khelaifi, a Qatari businessman and chairman of French football club PSG – where Beckham ended his high-profile career – giving the two men a lot to discuss.

At the event, Victoria looked stunning in a figure-hugging black dress, no doubt from her own fashion brand.

The former footballer, 49, attended the event with his fashion designer wife, 50, who at one point looked slightly nervous as they walked before David took her hand reassuringly

King Charles and Queen Camilla host a lavish reception for the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and the first of his three wives, Sheikha Jawaher, who are in the country on a two-day state visit

She wore her brunette locks slicked back and carried a small gold bag to accessorize the look.

Meanwhile, David cut a dapper figure in a black jacket and trousers, crisp white shirt and bow tie.

Perhaps mischievously to his right at the banquet sat new Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch, who was also attending her first state banquet.

Beckham, it should be noted, also played right winger.

Former Spice Girl Victoria – who sealed her stratospheric rise from pop stardom to the seat of power – sat even closer to the ‘top table’ than her husband, on the right side of the horseshoe-shaped dining table.

On her left she had The Lord Levy – fittingly not only a colleague but also a former CEO of a large group of independent music companies – and Lord Darzi, knighted for his services to medicine and surgery, on her right.

Seating arrangements are organized by the Master of the Household’s Department at Buckingham Palace, in collaboration with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, which is funding the state visit.

And it will certainly only add fuel to the fire of speculation that Beckham will be knighted in the near future.

The banquet was the dazzling culmination of a day of splendor honoring the Emir and his wife, Sheikha Jawaher, who landed at London’s Stansted Airport yesterday.

At the event, Victoria looked stunning in a figure-hugging black dress, no doubt from her own fashion brand

It is understood former England star David was invited due to his role as ambassador for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar

Meanwhile, David cut a dapper figure in a black jacket and trousers, crisp white shirt and bow tie

The palace ballroom was decorated with an abundance of seasonal flowers and foliage in red, reflecting the flag of Qatar, arranged in silver-gilt centerpieces sourced from the Grand Service of Windsor Home Park and the Orchard Garden at the Windsor Greenhouses.

The flowers are donated the next day to hospices, care homes and shelters through Floral Angels, a charity of which Queen Camilla is a patron.

Other senior royals in attendance included Prince Anne, who sat on the top table with the King, Queen and Prince of Wales, as well as Qatari dignitaries.

The Duke and Duchesses of Edinburgh and Gloucester were also in attendance.

The banquet menu was halal for many of the guests present and although alcohol was served if they so desired, a ‘mocktail’ was also devised for the occasion.

Former Spice Girl Victoria – who sealed her stratospheric rise from pop stardom to the seat of power – was even closer to the ‘top table’ than her husband

King Charles III and Queen Camilla with the Emir of Qatar Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and The Princess Royal

The three-course meal included a Cornish Lobster tart and Quails Eggs to start; Supreme from Windsor Pheasant wrapped in Savoy cabbage, roasted celeriac puree, gratinated potatoes with a soft creamy Suffolk cheese, Truffle sauce and winter vegetables; with an Iced Bombe with organic Samoan vanilla ice cream and Balmoral Plum Sorbet for dessert.

To mark the occasion, a palace ‘page of presence’ – who is studying to become a master of wine but is also a part-time mixologist – came up with a special non-alcoholic drink for the occasion – called a ‘Royal Mirage’, made from smoked pomegranate and ginger with a garnish of black lime.

Before the banquet, King Charles and Queen Camilla joined the Emir of Qatar and his wife for a group photo on the steps of Buckingham Palace, ahead of an elaborate state banquet in honor of the visiting royals.