Windsor rehearses for Qatari emir's UK state visit
- Published
A full rehearsal ahead of a state visit by the The State of Qatar Emir to see The Queen has been held in Windsor.
Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani will visit the Berkshire town on Tuesday.
The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh and other local dignitaries will greet the emir before a carriage procession takes them through the town to Windsor Castle.
Several roads, which were closed, have now been reopened. The emir's trip is the eighth state visit to be held in the town since 1998.
More than 90 flagpoles have been installed along the route, decorated with both the Union and Qatari flags.
During Tuesday's visit, a sovereign escort of the Household Cavalry will escort the horse-drawn carriage procession to Windsor Castle and the route will be lined with Army representatives.
'Colour and splendour'
Ian Hunt, head of democratic services, said: "There'll be plenty of military marching bands - troops, horses, etcetera.
"So it's a very, very big event with lots of colour and splendour."
A council and police booklet has been sent out to residents and businesses, detailing the route, road closures, parking information and where to watch the procession.
Road closures will be in place between 0945 and 1500 BST during the actual event.
Most car parks are expected to be open as normal on Tuesday, with the exception of River Street, Home Park and part of King Edward VII (Datchet Road), which will only be accessible from the Datchet direction.
Businesses are opening as usual.
The last state visit to the town saw President of India Pratibha Patil visit with her husband in October 2009.
- Published23 October 2009