Queen Elizabeth II looks at the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey during a service to mark the centenary of his burial ahead of Remembrance Sunday. AFP
Queen Elizabeth II looks at the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey during a service to mark the centenary of his burial ahead of Remembrance Sunday. AFP
Queen Elizabeth II looks at the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey during a service to mark the centenary of his burial ahead of Remembrance Sunday. AFP
Queen Elizabeth II looks at the grave of the Unknown Warrior at Westminster Abbey during a service to mark the centenary of his burial ahead of Remembrance Sunday. AFP

Queen Elizabeth II appears in public wearing mask for the first time


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II has been seen wearing a face mask in public for the first time.

Ahead of Remembrance Day on Wednesday, November 11, the 94-year-old queen made a private trip to the grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey on Wednesday, November 4. The visit marked the centenary of his burial.

For the occasion, the queen wore a black hat, coat, shoes and gloves, paired with a black face mask with a white border. It has not been announced if the piece was tailor-made or bought for the royal.

England is in the first week of its second national lockdown and it is the law to wear face coverings in a number of indoor settings, including places of worship.

Queen Elizabeth II inspects a bouquet of flowers placed on her behalf at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. AFP
Queen Elizabeth II inspects a bouquet of flowers placed on her behalf at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. AFP

Following the visit, a royal aide said: "The grave of the Unknown Warrior is as relevant and poignant today as it was when her majesty's grandfather and father stood in the abbey at its side 100 years ago.

"It holds enormous significance for the country and the royal family. The queen was keen that the centenary was marked appropriately."

The grave of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey represents all of those who died in the First World War, who have been left unidentified or with unknown resting places.

Britain's Queen Elizabeth II touches a bouquet of flowers to be left at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. AFP
Britain's Queen Elizabeth II touches a bouquet of flowers to be left at the grave of the Unknown Warrior. AFP

Criticism for not wearing a mask

The queen's last public engagement took place in October, when she met with scientists at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory with her grandson, Prince William. Neither of the royals wore face coverings or masks for the engagement, which was greeted with criticism.

However, following the visit, a Buckingham Palace spokesman said that "specific advice had been sought ... and all necessary precautions taken".

Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II unveil a plaque to officially open the new Energetics Analysis Centre at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. AFP
Prince William and Queen Elizabeth II unveil a plaque to officially open the new Energetics Analysis Centre at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory. AFP

Last week, it was reported that Prince William contracted the coronavirus in April but kept it secret to avoid causing alarm.

His illness followed that of his father, Prince Charles, and UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, influencing William's decision not to go public at a time of much tension in the UK.

"William was hit pretty hard by the virus. It really knocked him for six," a source told The Sun.

"At one stage, he was struggling to breathe so obviously everyone around him was pretty panicked.

"After seeing medics and testing positive, which was obviously quite a shock given how fit and healthy he is, William was determined it should be business as usual, though.

"He was determined to fulfil his engagements."

These engagements extended to 14 telephone and video calls during April.

They included calling NHS staff, opening the Nightingale Hospital in Birmingham, and appearing in a Comic Relief sketch with British actor and author Stephen Fry.

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The essentials

What: Emirates Airline Festival of Literature

When: Friday until March 9

Where: All main sessions are held in the InterContinental Dubai Festival City

Price: Sessions range from free entry to Dh125 tickets, with the exception of special events.

Hot Tip: If waiting for your book to be signed looks like it will be timeconsuming, ask the festival’s bookstore if they have pre-signed copies of the book you’re looking for. They should have a bunch from some of the festival’s biggest guest authors.

Information: www.emirateslitfest.com
 

Specs

Engine: Duel electric motors
Power: 659hp
Torque: 1075Nm
On sale: Available for pre-order now
Price: On request

THE BIO

Born: Mukalla, Yemen, 1979

Education: UAE University, Al Ain

Family: Married with two daughters: Asayel, 7, and Sara, 6

Favourite piece of music: Horse Dance by Naseer Shamma

Favourite book: Science and geology

Favourite place to travel to: Washington DC

Best advice you’ve ever been given: If you have a dream, you have to believe it, then you will see it.

A new relationship with the old country

Treaty of Friendship between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates

The United kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates; Considering that the United Arab Emirates has assumed full responsibility as a sovereign and independent State; Determined that the long-standing and traditional relations of close friendship and cooperation between their peoples shall continue; Desiring to give expression to this intention in the form of a Treaty Friendship; Have agreed as follows:

ARTICLE 1 The relations between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the United Arab Emirates shall be governed by a spirit of close friendship. In recognition of this, the Contracting Parties, conscious of their common interest in the peace and stability of the region, shall: (a) consult together on matters of mutual concern in time of need; (b) settle all their disputes by peaceful means in conformity with the provisions of the Charter of the United Nations.

ARTICLE 2 The Contracting Parties shall encourage education, scientific and cultural cooperation between the two States in accordance with arrangements to be agreed. Such arrangements shall cover among other things: (a) the promotion of mutual understanding of their respective cultures, civilisations and languages, the promotion of contacts among professional bodies, universities and cultural institutions; (c) the encouragement of technical, scientific and cultural exchanges.

ARTICLE 3 The Contracting Parties shall maintain the close relationship already existing between them in the field of trade and commerce. Representatives of the Contracting Parties shall meet from time to time to consider means by which such relations can be further developed and strengthened, including the possibility of concluding treaties or agreements on matters of mutual concern.

ARTICLE 4 This Treaty shall enter into force on today’s date and shall remain in force for a period of ten years. Unless twelve months before the expiry of the said period of ten years either Contracting Party shall have given notice to the other of its intention to terminate the Treaty, this Treaty shall remain in force thereafter until the expiry of twelve months from the date on which notice of such intention is given.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF the undersigned have signed this Treaty.

DONE in duplicate at Dubai the second day of December 1971AD, corresponding to the fifteenth day of Shawwal 1391H, in the English and Arabic languages, both texts being equally authoritative.

Signed

Geoffrey Arthur  Sheikh Zayed

David Haye record

Total fights: 32
Wins: 28
Wins by KO: 26
Losses: 4

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.

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Know before you go
  • Jebel Akhdar is a two-hour drive from Muscat airport or a six-hour drive from Dubai. It’s impossible to visit by car unless you have a 4x4. Phone ahead to the hotel to arrange a transfer.
  • If you’re driving, make sure your insurance covers Oman.
  • By air: Budget airlines Air Arabia, Flydubai and SalamAir offer direct routes to Muscat from the UAE.
  • Tourists from the Emirates (UAE nationals not included) must apply for an Omani visa online before arrival at evisa.rop.gov.om. The process typically takes several days.
  • Flash floods are probable due to the terrain and a lack of drainage. Always check the weather before venturing into any canyons or other remote areas and identify a plan of escape that includes high ground, shelter and parking where your car won’t be overtaken by sudden downpours.

 

West Asia Premiership

Dubai Hurricanes 58-10 Dubai Knights Eagles

Dubai Tigers 5-39 Bahrain

Jebel Ali Dragons 16-56 Abu Dhabi Harlequins