The Queen rarely – if ever – accepts invitations to dinner at private houses, no matter how grand. But in the summer of 2014 the oil and gas rich Gulf state of Qatar became the first ‘official partner’ of Royal Ascot and secured branding rights for the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth II stakes. The Qataris also agreed to pay for the upkeep of the Castle of Mey which is owned by the royal family.
And so breaking with tradition the Queen accepted a dinner invitation and joined the ruling family of Qatar and assorted guests. The Qataris had just spent an estimated £75 million on their London mansion at Dudley House, Park Lane, and so were delighted. As she walked into the gilded hallway resplendent with gold and priceless antiques and paintings, the Queen paused, looked around and reportedly remarked that the property was more grand than Buckingham palace.
One of the honoured guests that historic evening was Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jaber al-Thani, known as HBJ, a prime minister and foreign minister of Qatar. While the Queen’s courtiers were aware of his political power, few knew the extent of his wealth and influence. He has accumulated an estimated fortune of $1.2 billion, although private assessments are adamant that it is closer to $50 billion. As the former Emir of Qatar once reportedly remarked: I rule Qatar but HBJ owns it.
In the Middle East that level of wealth is not unprecedented. But HBJ is unique in how he has used that fortune to cultivate and influence the most powerful pillars of the establishment in Britain, notably the royal family, arms manufacturers, banks, a former MI6 chief and a former prime minister.
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