Sweet baby George. A newborn is a thing of innocence and infinite potential. Fresh to the world, a blank canvas on which life still has to be drawn. Nothing is certain, everything is possible.
But there are a few exceptions to this rule.
As he lies in his royal crib this morning, Prince George sleeps blissfully innocent of his place in the great order of the world. It is a condition that will not last long. Soon he will discover that his entire life is mapped out. This is a child who had his own Wikipedia page even before he was born.
One day, all will culminate at Westminster Abbey, seated on the Coronation Chair, which holds the ancient Stone of Scone, by legend the Biblical pillow used by Jacob, grandson of Abraham, as he dreamt of a ladder between Heaven and Earth.
The Archbishop of Canterbury will then place the coronation crown on his head, as the congregation cry out: "God Save The King."
All this is as certain as the motion of the moon and the stars. Only the date is unclear. Before King George VII, there must be King Charles III and King William V.
The third in line may wait awhile for his day in court; the current Queen Elizabeth is hale and hearty at 87, her mother lived to 101. Prince Philip, the new royal's great grandfather, is a vigorous 92. They make old bones, do the Windsors.
So the infant prince may be well in middle age by the time he becomes king, with children and perhaps grandchildren of his own, all future kings (or queens, since the principal of primogeniture was abolished for his birth) of Great Britain and 15 other Commonwealth nations. To look into the eyes of baby George is to glimpse a lineage that began more than a thousand years ago and now reaches into the 22nd century.
Many things must happen before that day, but most of them are already known. The christening will take place in Buckingham Palace, probably in February, with the baptism performed in the Music Room. Baby George's outfit is already chosen. He will wear a replica in silk and lace of the robe worn for the christening, in 1841, of Princess Victoria, the eldest daughter of the imperial queen of the same name, the infant prince's great-great-great-great-great-great grandmother.
The weight of tradition steers the British crown, yet baby George's life decisions will be made under the lens of the world's media. Even the slightest deviation from the perceived norm will make headlines.
Starting with school. The new family has a small two-bedroom cottage in the grounds of Kensington Palace, the former home of the new prince's late grandmother, Diana (how odd that sounds). By the new year, they are expected to move to the much larger 20-room apartment in the Palace formerly occupied by the Queen's sister, the late Princess Margaret.
Either way, sometime in 2016, at the age of three, Prince George can be expected to be packed off to one of those smart London nursery schools. His father was sent to Jane Minor's posh nursery in Notting Hill's Pembroke Square. The duchess could walk it in less than 15 minutes, although an official car seems more likely.
Then comes pre-preparatory school, with those adorable uniforms. Perhaps the prince could brave the state sector. St Mary Abbots is a local Church of England school with an "outstanding" Ofsted, but almost certainly it will be private. His father attended nearby Wetherby, as did Hugh Grant and the writer of Downton Abbey, Julian Fellowes. The blazers are grey with a scarlet trim and charming little matching ties.
"Prep", or preparatory school, is next. Daddy went to Ludgrove, a boarding school in Berkshire with a strong sporting tradition but also a good track record in gaining admissions to the better public schools. His mother went to St Andrews, nearby in Pangbourne. The two schools sometimes compete at sports.
For those crucial examination years, the best bet is Eton. Grandpa Charles endured the rigours of Gordonstoun in the Scottish Highlands and hated it (he reportedly called it "Colditz with kilts"). For William, he picked Eton College on the banks of the Thames, with a reputation for moulding leaders and building character. It also gets outstanding academic results. Places are tight but it helps that he will one day be king.
Expect one of the top universities for Prince George. Once it would have been Oxford or Cambridge but daddy chose St Andrews. It was where he met mummy. Still, he will need good grades, or at least credible grades, to win a place in these more egalitarian times. There might be a gap year, although one filled with good work in one of the poorer Commonwealth nations rather than a 365-day party on the wilder beaches of Thailand.
It is now 2034. Grandpa Charles will likely be king, although now in his 80s, in which case daddy will be Prince of Wales, the title held by the heir apparent. Now in his early 50s, Prince William may find himself on the same seat in the royal waiting room that his father occupies now.
But for young George, the world is opening up. University is followed by the military training college at Sandhurst. The prince looks good in uniform, the only question is which one. Grandpa Charles served in the Royal Air Force and the Navy, daddy was a helicopter pilot in the RAF. Perhaps it is the army's turn. A Guards' regiment?
Whatever he chooses, there is no question of combat, no matter what small wars Great Britain is involved in as the middle of the 21st century approaches. Perhaps there might be a younger brother to cast in harm's way if there is the need.
But there will be royal duties, having accompanied his parents on overseas trips as a boy, but now, as a man, travelling overseas as the king's representative. The prince will also have his good causes, probably something with a strong environmental bent, the result of happy hours spent with Grandpa on his organic farm.
Now in his mid-20s, George will be the new Prince Charming, enjoying - if that is the right word - the same obsessive media attention once directed at his father (whose long-retreated hairline is now the subject of quiet mirth). There will be girlfriends - nothing serious at first - but then, as the prince approaches his third decade, the expectation of a royal bride.
Long gone are the days when a prince had to marry a princess. Grandma Diana was the daughter of an earl, Grandpa Michael and Grandma Carole set up the successful party business now run by Auntie Pippa, who never did find the right man.
A marriage to a commoner - that curious English term for those who are neither in the nobility nor the priesthood - is therefore most likely. She will be pretty and presentable with no skeletons in the cupboard. But do not expect a royal bride who is anything but white. And probably not a Muslim.
Now it is the early 2040s and the bells of Westminster Abbey ring out as the carriages and gloriously uniformed cavalry set off down the Mall. The country can barely afford it, but a royal wedding is not an occasion for penny pinching, and the tourists love it.
Fast forward two years later, give or take. Outside the Lindo Wing of London's St Mary's Hospital, the crowds and media gather as the due hour approaches. The announcement comes the old way, on official notepaper posted on a gold easel outside Buckingham Palace, but disseminated in a billion ways in a billionth of a second. People chuckle when they recall the clunky old days of Twitter and Facebook.
Inside, hidden from the world for perhaps the first and last time, is the new royal baby. Boy or girl, it does not matter. God save the king (or queen). In the House of Windsor, it is all just part of the longest-running game of thrones.
THE BIOG
October 924 Athelstan, son of Edward, becomes the first recognised king of England
March 1702 Anne becomes the first monarch of the Kingdom of Great Britain
May 1876 Victoria becomes first Empress of India
1917 Because it sounds too German, the House of Saxe-Coburg-Gotha changes its name to Windsor
November 1948 Charles, Prince of Wales, is born
February 1952 Elizabeth becomes queen
June 1982 Prince William is born
April 2011 Marriage of William to Kate Middleton
July 22, 2013 Birth of George Alexander Louis, third in line to the throne of Great Britain
weekend@thenational.ae
Follow us
@LifeNationalUAE
Follow us on Facebook for discussions, entertainment, reviews, wellness and news.
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
More coverage from the Future Forum
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
Moon Music
Artist: Coldplay
Label: Parlophone/Atlantic
Number of tracks: 10
Rating: 3/5
CRICKET%20WORLD%20CUP%20QUALIFIER%2C%20ZIMBABWE%20
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%20%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMonday%2C%20June%2019%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3ESri%20Lanka%20v%20UAE%2C%20Queen%E2%80%99s%20Sports%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EWednesday%2C%20June%2021%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EOman%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFriday%2C%20June%2023%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EScotland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%26nbsp%3B%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ETuesday%2C%20June%2027%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3EIreland%20v%20UAE%2C%20Bulawayo%20Athletic%20Club%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Biog
Mr Kandhari is legally authorised to conduct marriages in the gurdwara
He has officiated weddings of Sikhs and people of different faiths from Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Russia, the US and Canada
Father of two sons, grandfather of six
Plays golf once a week
Enjoys trying new holiday destinations with his wife and family
Walks for an hour every morning
Completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Loyola College, Chennai, India
2019 is a milestone because he completes 50 years in business
Company%20profile
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EName%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Homie%20Portal%20LLC%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarted%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20End%20of%202021%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EFounder%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EAbdulla%20Al%20Kamda%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBased%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Dubai%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ESector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20FinTech%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInitial%20investment%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Undisclosed%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECurrent%20number%20of%20staff%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2014%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestment%20stage%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ELaunch%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EInvestors%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Self-funded%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
MATCH INFO
What: 2006 World Cup quarter-final
When: July 1
Where: Gelsenkirchen Stadium, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Result:
England 0 Portugal 0
(Portugal win 3-1 on penalties)
The%20Killer
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EDavid%20Fincher%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%C2%A0%3C%2Fstrong%3EMichael%20Fassbender%2C%20Tilda%20Swinton%2C%20Charles%20Parnell%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204%2F5%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Gentlemen
Director: Guy Ritchie
Stars: Colin Farrell, Hugh Grant
Three out of five stars
The specs: 2019 Haval H6
Price, base: Dh69,900
Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder
Transmission: Seven-speed automatic
Power: 197hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 315Nm @ 2,000rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 7.0L / 100km
TOURNAMENT INFO
Women’s World Twenty20 Qualifier
Jul 3- 14, in the Netherlands
The top two teams will qualify to play at the World T20 in the West Indies in November
UAE squad
Humaira Tasneem (captain), Chamani Seneviratne, Subha Srinivasan, Neha Sharma, Kavisha Kumari, Judit Cleetus, Chaya Mughal, Roopa Nagraj, Heena Hotchandani, Namita D’Souza, Ishani Senevirathne, Esha Oza, Nisha Ali, Udeni Kuruppuarachchi
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
The biog
Favourite food: Tabbouleh, greek salad and sushi
Favourite TV show: That 70s Show
Favourite animal: Ferrets, they are smart, sensitive, playful and loving
Favourite holiday destination: Seychelles, my resolution for 2020 is to visit as many spiritual retreats and animal shelters across the world as I can
Name of first pet: Eddy, a Persian cat that showed up at our home
Favourite dog breed: I love them all - if I had to pick Yorkshire terrier for small dogs and St Bernard's for big
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
%20Ramez%20Gab%20Min%20El%20Akher
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECreator%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Ramez%20Galal%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStreaming%20on%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EMBC%20Shahid%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
THE%20SWIMMERS
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESally%20El-Hosaini%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStars%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENathalie%20Issa%2C%20Manal%20Issa%2C%20Ahmed%20Malek%20and%20Ali%20Suliman%C2%A0%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E4%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The Voice of Hind Rajab
Starring: Saja Kilani, Clara Khoury, Motaz Malhees
Director: Kaouther Ben Hania
Rating: 4/5
Profile box
Company name: baraka
Started: July 2020
Founders: Feras Jalbout and Kunal Taneja
Based: Dubai and Bahrain
Sector: FinTech
Initial investment: $150,000
Current staff: 12
Stage: Pre-seed capital raising of $1 million
Investors: Class 5 Global, FJ Labs, IMO Ventures, The Community Fund, VentureSouq, Fox Ventures, Dr Abdulla Elyas (private investment)
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
- 600-seat auditorium
- Spaces for historical and cultural exploration
- An elevated football field that doubles as a helipad
- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
- AR and VR-enabled learning centres
- Disruption Lab and Research Centre for developing entrepreneurial skills
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
THE TWIN BIO
Their favourite city: Dubai
Their favourite food: Khaleeji
Their favourite past-time : walking on the beach
Their favorite quote: ‘we rise by lifting others’ by Robert Ingersoll
Mohammed bin Zayed Majlis
World Cup final
Who: France v Croatia
When: Sunday, July 15, 7pm (UAE)
TV: Game will be shown live on BeIN Sports for viewers in the Mena region
Usain Bolt's World Championships record
2007 Osaka
200m Silver
4x100m relay Silver
2009 Berlin
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2011 Daegu
100m Disqualified in final for false start
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2013 Moscow
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
2015 Beijing
100m Gold
200m Gold
4x100m relay Gold
The five types of long-term residential visas
Obed Suhail of ServiceMarket, an online home services marketplace, outlines the five types of long-term residential visas:
Investors:
A 10-year residency visa can be obtained by investors who invest Dh10 million, out of which 60 per cent should not be in real estate. It can be a public investment through a deposit or in a business. Those who invest Dh5 million or more in property are eligible for a five-year residency visa. The invested amount should be completely owned by the investors, not loaned, and retained for at least three years.
Entrepreneurs:
A five-year multiple entry visa is available to entrepreneurs with a previous project worth Dh0.5m or those with the approval of an accredited business incubator in the UAE.
Specialists
Expats with specialised talents, including doctors, specialists, scientists, inventors, and creative individuals working in the field of culture and art are eligible for a 10-year visa, given that they have a valid employment contract in one of these fields in the country.
Outstanding students:
A five-year visa will be granted to outstanding students who have a grade of 95 per cent or higher in a secondary school, or those who graduate with a GPA of 3.75 from a university.
Retirees:
Expats who are at least 55 years old can obtain a five-year retirement visa if they invest Dh2m in property, have savings of Dh1m or more, or have a monthly income of at least Dh20,000.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
I Care A Lot
Directed by: J Blakeson
Starring: Rosamund Pike, Peter Dinklage
3/5 stars
Results
5.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,400m; Winner: Mcmanaman, Sam Hitchcock (jockey), Doug Watson (trainer)
6.05pm: Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Bawaasil, Sam Hitchcott, Doug Watson
6.40pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (Dirt) 1,400m; Winner: Bochart, Fabrice Veron, Satish Seemar
7.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Mutaraffa, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
7.50pm: Longines Stakes – Conditions (TB) Dh120,00 (D) 1,900m; Winner: Rare Ninja, Royston Ffrench, Salem bin Ghadayer
8.25pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m; Winner: Alfareeq, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9pm: Handicap (TB) Dh105,000 (T) 2,410m; Winner: Good Tidings, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi
9.35pm: Handicap (TB) Dh92,500 (T) 2,000m; Winner: Zorion, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi, Helal Al Alawi
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.5-litre supercharged V6
Power: 416hp at 7,000rpm
Torque: 410Nm at 3,500rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Fuel consumption: 10.2 l/100km
Price: Dh375,000
On sale: now
No_One Ever Really Dies
N*E*R*D
(I Am Other/Columbia)
Tonight's Chat on The National
Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.
Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster with a decades-long career in TV. He has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others. Karam is also the founder of Takreem.
Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.
Facebook | Our website | Instagram
BORDERLANDS
Starring: Cate Blanchett, Kevin Hart, Jamie Lee Curtis
Director: Eli Roth
Rating: 0/5
More from Neighbourhood Watch:
The biog
Most memorable achievement: Leading my first city-wide charity campaign in Toronto holds a special place in my heart. It was for Amnesty International’s Stop Violence Against Women program and showed me the power of how communities can come together in the smallest ways to have such wide impact.
Favourite film: Childhood favourite would be Disney’s Jungle Book and classic favourite Gone With The Wind.
Favourite book: To Kill A Mockingbird for a timeless story on justice and courage and Harry Potters for my love of all things magical.
Favourite quote: “We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give.” — Winston Churchill
Favourite food: Dim sum
Favourite place to travel to: Anywhere with natural beauty, wildlife and awe-inspiring sunsets.
Israel Palestine on Swedish TV 1958-1989
Director: Goran Hugo Olsson
Rating: 5/5
Evacuations to France hit by controversy
- Over 500 Gazans have been evacuated to France since November 2023
- Evacuations were paused after a student already in France posted anti-Semitic content and was subsequently expelled to Qatar
- The Foreign Ministry launched a review to determine how authorities failed to detect the posts before her entry
- Artists and researchers fall under a programme called Pause that began in 2017
- It has benefited more than 700 people from 44 countries, including Syria, Turkey, Iran, and Sudan
- Since the start of the Gaza war, it has also included 45 Gazan beneficiaries
- Unlike students, they are allowed to bring their families to France
