Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared his highlights from 2023 in an Instagram post. Photo: Instagram / faz3
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared his highlights from 2023 in an Instagram post. Photo: Instagram / faz3
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared his highlights from 2023 in an Instagram post. Photo: Instagram / faz3
Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, shared his highlights from 2023 in an Instagram post. Photo: Instagram / faz3

New Year messages from world's royals and rulers, from Sheikh Hamdan to Queen Rania


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

Royals and rulers from around the world have shared messages wishing their online followers a Happy New Year.

Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, and Britain's Prince and Princess of Wales, reflected on 2023, while Queen Rania of Jordan shared her hopes for peace in 2024.

Here, The National rounds up the highlights.

Sheikh Hamdan

Sheikh Hamdan shared some of his highlights of 2023 on Instagram. Photo: @Faz3 / Instagram
Sheikh Hamdan shared some of his highlights of 2023 on Instagram. Photo: @Faz3 / Instagram

Sheikh Hamdan has shared some of his highlights from 2023 on Instagram. In one post, he collected six images from the past year, including a photograph of his father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, with his newborn baby Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamdan; a holiday photo with his twins Sheikh Rashid bin Hamdan and Sheikha Shaikha bint Hamdan; and an image with his father and brother, Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed, First Deputy Ruler of Dubai.

The collage also features a skiing selfie, a shot with one of his prized horses and a picture of him completing last month's Dubai Run with Team Angel Wolf's Nick and Rio Watson.

In a second story, Sheikh Hamdan shared a photo of himself in the wintery Bad Ragaz, Switzerland.

As the clocks turned midnight, Sheikh Hamdan shared a video of the dazzling fireworks display at Dubai's Burj Khalifa.

"As we welcome the new year, we pray to Allah for a year of prosperity for our nation and the world. With the combined enthusiasm and determination of a united team, we will harness our capabilities and aspirations to attain greater accomplishments across all sectors," Sheikh Hamdan wrote.

"With unwavering confidence, we stride forward towards a brighter future, aspiring to establish Dubai and the UAE as a shining model of spreading joy and positivity to all."

Queen Rania and Crown Prince Hussein

Queen Rania, centre, with her son, Crown Prince Hussein, and Princess Rajwa of Jordan. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court
Queen Rania, centre, with her son, Crown Prince Hussein, and Princess Rajwa of Jordan. Photo: Royal Hashemite Court

Queen Rania of Jordan shared a message on Instagram reflecting on the war in Gaza.

"It's impossible to 'celebrate' the New Year knowing that it will start the same way this year ends; with unfathomable suffering in Gaza," she wrote. "2023 has cast a dark shadow on our collective humanity – we realised that some lives are seemingly expendable; that international laws and principles are privileges for some, not rights for all.

"But amidst this darkness, 2023 has also shone a bright light on thousands of acts of resilience, faith, heroism and sacrifice."

She concluded her message on a hopeful note, writing: "I choose to put my faith in this light. I choose to believe in the power of human goodness. Praying that the Year Year brings peace to us all."

Queen Rania's son, Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan, posed an Instagram Reel of footage of destruction in Gaza last year, with the caption, "Every day, Gaza teaches the world."

Prince and Princess of Wales

Britain's Prince and Princess of Wales shared a video of their highlights of the year, thanking everyone who had played a part.

The video includes formal footage from the coronation of King Charles III; a shot of the prince and princess at the wedding of Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah and Princess Rajwa Al Saif in June; and images of the royals at various engagements.

It also includes relaxed family pictures with their three children, Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five.

Prince Abdul Mateen of Brunei

Prince Abdul Mateen ibni Hassanal Bolkiah, son of Brunei's Prime Minster and Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah, wished his Instagram followers "all the best for 2024".

The prince, 32, announced his engagement to long-term girlfriend Anisha Rosnah in October, with the wedding scheduled for this month. Rosnah is beside her fiance in the Instagram post.

The couple's wedding is expected to be a 10-day event, which will begin on January 7 and will include numerous ceremonies, including a royal powdering ceremony, an Islamic ceremony at the Omar Ali Saifuddien Mosque and a royal parade around the nation's capital, Bandar Seri Begawan.

King and Queen of Bhutan

Bhutan’s King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema shared a New Year's message, with a photo of themselves in traditional dress, with their three children.

"Wishing everyone a Happy New Year," the message reads, "May 2024 bring love, peace and happiness to all."

The couple are parents to Jigme Namgyel, Crown Prince of Bhutan, seven; Jigme Ugyen, three; and three-month-old daughter, Sonam Yangden. The family announced Sonam Yangden's name on December 9, explaining, "Sonam is a Bhutanese name denoting merit, longevity and good fortune. The name Yangden, meaning precious jewel, signifies prosperity and wellbeing."

MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE – FINAL RECKONING

Director: Christopher McQuarrie

Starring: Tom Cruise, Hayley Atwell, Simon Pegg

Rating: 4/5

UAE Tour 2020

Stage 1: The Pointe Palm Jumeirah - Dubai Silicon Oasis, 148km
Stage 2: Hatta - Hatta Dam, 168km​​​​​​​
Stage 3: Al Qudra Cycle Track - Jebel Hafeet, 184km​​​​​​​
Stage 4: Zabeel Park - Dubai City Walk, 173km​​​​​​​
Stage 5: Al Ain - Jebel Hafeet, 162km​​​​​​​
Stage 6: Al Ruwais - Al Mirfa, 158km​​​​​​​
Stage 7: Al Maryah Island - Abu Dhabi Breakwater, 127km

Voy!%20Voy!%20Voy!
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Fixtures

Tuesday - 5.15pm: Team Lebanon v Alger Corsaires; 8.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Pharaohs

Wednesday - 5.15pm: Pharaohs v Carthage Eagles; 8.30pm: Alger Corsaires v Abu Dhabi Storms

Thursday - 4.30pm: Team Lebanon v Pharaohs; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Carthage Eagles

Friday - 4.30pm: Pharaohs v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Team Lebanon

Saturday - 4.30pm: Carthage Eagles v Alger Corsaires; 7.30pm: Abu Dhabi Storms v Team Lebanon

The%20specs
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.9-litre%20twin-turbo%20V6%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E8-speed%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E536hp%20(including%20138hp%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E750Nm%20(including%20400Nm%20e-motor)%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh1%2C380%2C000%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3Enow%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal advisor

Ahmad El Sayed is Senior Associate at Charles Russell Speechlys, a law firm headquartered in London with offices in the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Hong Kong.

Experience: Commercial litigator who has assisted clients with overseas judgments before UAE courts. His specialties are cases related to banking, real estate, shareholder disputes, company liquidations and criminal matters as well as employment related litigation. 

Education: Sagesse University, Beirut, Lebanon, in 2005.

Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
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The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
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  • Price: Not announced yet
First-round leaderbaord

-5 C Conners (Can)

-3 B Koepka (US), K Bradley (US), V Hovland (Nor), A Wise (US), S Horsfield (Eng), C Davis (Aus);

-2 C Morikawa (US), M Laird (Sco), C Tringale (US)

Selected others: -1 P Casey (Eng), R Fowler (US), T Hatton (Eng)

Level B DeChambeau (US), J Rose (Eng) 

1 L Westwood (Eng), J Spieth (US)

3 R McIlroy (NI)

4 D Johnson (US)

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Key facilities
  • Olympic-size swimming pool with a split bulkhead for multi-use configurations, including water polo and 50m/25m training lanes
  • Premier League-standard football pitch
  • 400m Olympic running track
  • NBA-spec basketball court with auditorium
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  • Specialist robotics and science laboratories
  • AR and VR-enabled learning centres
  • Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
MATCH INFO

CAF Champions League semi-finals first-leg fixtures

Tuesday:

Primeiro Agosto (ANG) v Esperance (TUN) (8pm UAE)
Al Ahly (EGY) v Entente Setif (ALG) (11PM)

Second legs:

October 23

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
If you go...

Fly from Dubai or Abu Dhabi to Chiang Mai in Thailand, via Bangkok, before taking a five-hour bus ride across the Laos border to Huay Xai. The land border crossing at Huay Xai is a well-trodden route, meaning entry is swift, though travellers should be aware of visa requirements for both countries.

Flights from Dubai start at Dh4,000 return with Emirates, while Etihad flights from Abu Dhabi start at Dh2,000. Local buses can be booked in Chiang Mai from around Dh50

THE SPECS

Engine: 3.5-litre V6
Transmission: six-speed manual
Power: 325bhp
Torque: 370Nm
Speed: 0-100km/h 3.9 seconds
Price: Dh230,000
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RESULT

Uruguay 3 Russia 0
Uruguay:
 Suárez (10'), Cheryshev (23' og), Cavani (90')
Russia: Smolnikov (Red card: 36')

Man of the match: Diego Godin (Uruguay)

Suggested picnic spots

Abu Dhabi
Umm Al Emarat Park
Yas Gateway Park
Delma Park
Al Bateen beach
Saadiyaat beach
The Corniche
Zayed Sports City
 
Dubai
Kite Beach
Zabeel Park
Al Nahda Pond Park
Mushrif Park
Safa Park
Al Mamzar Beach Park
Al Qudrah Lakes 

EU Russia

The EU imports 90 per cent  of the natural gas used to generate electricity, heat homes and supply industry, with Russia supplying almost 40 per cent of EU gas and a quarter of its oil. 

COMPANY PROFILE
Name: Kumulus Water
 
Started: 2021
 
Founders: Iheb Triki and Mohamed Ali Abid
 
Based: Tunisia 
 
Sector: Water technology 
 
Number of staff: 22 
 
Investment raised: $4 million 
What are the main cyber security threats?

Cyber crime - This includes fraud, impersonation, scams and deepfake technology, tactics that are increasingly targeting infrastructure and exploiting human vulnerabilities.
Cyber terrorism - Social media platforms are used to spread radical ideologies, misinformation and disinformation, often with the aim of disrupting critical infrastructure such as power grids.
Cyber warfare - Shaped by geopolitical tension, hostile actors seek to infiltrate and compromise national infrastructure, using one country’s systems as a springboard to launch attacks on others.

It Was Just an Accident

Director: Jafar Panahi

Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

UPI facts

More than 2.2 million Indian tourists arrived in UAE in 2023
More than 3.5 million Indians reside in UAE
Indian tourists can make purchases in UAE using rupee accounts in India through QR-code-based UPI real-time payment systems
Indian residents in UAE can use their non-resident NRO and NRE accounts held in Indian banks linked to a UAE mobile number for UPI transactions

Getting there
Flydubai flies direct from Dubai to Tbilisi from Dh1,025 return including taxes

LILO & STITCH

Starring: Sydney Elizebeth Agudong, Maia Kealoha, Chris Sanders

Director: Dean Fleischer Camp

Rating: 4.5/5

War and the virus
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Our House, Louise Candlish,
Simon & Schuster

The specs

Engine: 1.6-litre 4-cyl turbo

Power: 217hp at 5,750rpm

Torque: 300Nm at 1,900rpm

Transmission: eight-speed auto

Price: from Dh130,000

On sale: now

Neymar's bio

Total club appearances 411

Total goals scored 241

Appearances for Barca 186

Goals scored for Barca 105

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While you're here
A State of Passion

Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi

Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah

Rating: 4/5

The language of diplomacy in 1853

Treaty of Peace in Perpetuity Agreed Upon by the Chiefs of the Arabian Coast on Behalf of Themselves, Their Heirs and Successors Under the Mediation of the Resident of the Persian Gulf, 1853
(This treaty gave the region the name “Trucial States”.)


We, whose seals are hereunto affixed, Sheikh Sultan bin Suggar, Chief of Rassool-Kheimah, Sheikh Saeed bin Tahnoon, Chief of Aboo Dhebbee, Sheikh Saeed bin Buyte, Chief of Debay, Sheikh Hamid bin Rashed, Chief of Ejman, Sheikh Abdoola bin Rashed, Chief of Umm-ool-Keiweyn, having experienced for a series of years the benefits and advantages resulting from a maritime truce contracted amongst ourselves under the mediation of the Resident in the Persian Gulf and renewed from time to time up to the present period, and being fully impressed, therefore, with a sense of evil consequence formerly arising, from the prosecution of our feuds at sea, whereby our subjects and dependants were prevented from carrying on the pearl fishery in security, and were exposed to interruption and molestation when passing on their lawful occasions, accordingly, we, as aforesaid have determined, for ourselves, our heirs and successors, to conclude together a lasting and inviolable peace from this time forth in perpetuity.

Taken from Britain and Saudi Arabia, 1925-1939: the Imperial Oasis, by Clive Leatherdale

Volvo ES90 Specs

Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)

Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp

Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm

On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region

Price: Exact regional pricing TBA

'The Batman'

Stars:Robert Pattinson

Director:Matt Reeves

Rating: 5/5

COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Updated: January 01, 2024, 7:25 AM`