The coronation of Britain's King Charles III is taking place next week and several venues in the UAE are hosting parties to celebrate.
During the ceremony on May 6 at Westminster Abbey, London, the king will be crowned alongside Camilla, the Queen Consort. Coronation celebrations are also being planned for the weekend, with “global music icons and contemporary stars” due to perform at Windsor Castle on May 7 for a concert that will be televised live by the BBC.
If you are in the UAE and want to join in the festivities, here are some of the venues involved.
Venues with live-streaming
QE2 Dubai
Celebrations at Dubai's Queen Elizabeth II floating hotel begin on May 5, with a black-tie charity gala dinner that will benefit the Larchfield Children’s Home in Tanzania. The three-course dinner will be accompanied by live entertainment, including performances by the Royal Marines, a string duo and a DJ.
On May 6, three venues on the ship will stream the coronation. The Queen's Room will serve a British-themed buffet, while a three-course lunch will be served at the Queen's Grill. The ship's pub, The Golden Lion, is also broadcasting the ceremony.
Celebrations continue on May 7 with a coronation-themed afternoon tea.
May 5 to 7; several packages are available; Port Rashid, Bur Dubai; 600 500400
At.mosphere
The Burj Khalifa restaurant is screening the coronation with an afternoon tea deal. An English sparkling beverage package is also available.
May 6; 12.30pm-3.30pm; from Dh350; Downtown Dubai; 04 888 3828
Reform Social & Grill
The coronation will be streamed at the venue's summer garden indoor tent, adorned with British decor. Expect dishes such as Sunday roast and sausage rolls, as well as fun activities for children such as face painting plus arts and crafts.
May 6; 1pm-4pm; from Dh220 per adult, Dh99 per child; The Lakes; 04 454 2638
Qwerty
Dubai Media City's neighbourhood bar and restaurant is hosting an afternoon tea, featuring a selection of fine teas, scones, sandwiches and cakes. Unlimited drinks for two hours are also on offer.
May 6; 11am onwards; Dh259 per person; Media One Hotel; 052 144 7348
The Croft
This British restaurant at Dubai Marriott Harbour Hotel & Suites is serving a family-style menu.
The menu features British classics such as a coronation chicken pie, shellfish mousse and grilled asparagus for starters. For mains, diners can choose from a herb and lemon baked cod, queen's mutton pie made with lamb and mint jelly, or beef fillet cooked with truffle demi-glace. Chocolate Battenberg cake, blueberry pie and lemon possets will be served for dessert.
The ceremony will be screened, too.
May 6; noon-4pm; from Dh150; Dubai Marina; 04 319 4000
Maison Mathis
A roast and an afternoon tea awaits.
Guests can watch the televised ceremony while dining on roast beef or lamb from 1pm to 4pm, or opt for an afternoon tea from 4pm to 6pm, complete with scones, pastries and other small bites.
May 6; 1pm-6pm; from Dh199; Voco Dubai The Palm; 04 249 5502
The Greenroom
The Els Club venue in Sports City is hosting a picnic party, while streaming the royal action on May 7. There will be child-friendly entertainment and activities as well as barbecue stations. The venue is pet-friendly, so guests can bring furry friends along.
May 7; 1pm onwards; from Dh100; Dubai Sports City; 04 423 8310
The Roast by Bubbalicious
Head to this restaurant at The Westin for a brunch celebration of the royal ceremony. Traditional British delights are available such as coronation chicken sandwiches and scones. The ceremony will be shown on a large screen, while live entertainers perform. The little ones can take part in a Great British Bake Off-style competition.
May 7; 1pm-4pm; from Dh295 per adult; Dh175 per child; Al Sufouh; 04 511 7373
Other coronation celebrations
Mandarin Oriental Jumeirah
The five-star Dubai hotel is bringing The Rosebery Afternoon Tea, developed at its London hotel branch, to its Noor Lounge for a two-month-long pop-up from May 1.
The pop-up will feature a menu that includes some of King Charles’s favourite indulgences, such as Clarence Court egg truffle sandwiches, freshly baked scones, handmade pastries and traditional fruit cakes, served with tea.
May 1 to June 30; 2pm-6pm Dh400 for two; Jumeirah 1; 04 777 2223
Dinner by Heston Blumenthal
The new restaurant at Atlanis The Royal is serving a five-course tasting menu inspired by dishes served at Britain's previous coronations, from the coronation of Henry V in 1413 to George IV's in 1821.
The dishes include a coronation chicken tart with apricot, raisins and smoked almond, inspired by the coronation chicken presented to Elizabeth II in 1953. Another dish is the fillet of beef royale, a Wagyu fit for a king, served with smoked anchovy, carrot, onion and a sauce enriched with ox tongue.
May 5 to 14; 6pm-11pm; Dh1,250 per person; The Palm Jumeirah; 04 426 2444
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- Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
- Flexible payment plans from developers
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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.
THE BIO
Favourite car: Koenigsegg Agera RS or Renault Trezor concept car.
Favourite book: I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes or Red Notice by Bill Browder.
Biggest inspiration: My husband Nik. He really got me through a lot with his positivity.
Favourite holiday destination: Being at home in Australia, as I travel all over the world for work. It’s great to just hang out with my husband and family.
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Emergency
Director: Kangana Ranaut
Stars: Kangana Ranaut, Anupam Kher, Shreyas Talpade, Milind Soman, Mahima Chaudhry
Rating: 2/5
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Transmission: seven-speed auto
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THE BIO: Martin Van Almsick
Hometown: Cologne, Germany
Family: Wife Hanan Ahmed and their three children, Marrah (23), Tibijan (19), Amon (13)
Favourite dessert: Umm Ali with dark camel milk chocolate flakes
Favourite hobby: Football
Breakfast routine: a tall glass of camel milk
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cylinder turbo
Power: 240hp at 5,500rpm
Torque: 390Nm at 3,000rpm
Transmission: eight-speed auto
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The biog
Born: Kuwait in 1986
Family: She is the youngest of seven siblings
Time in the UAE: 10 years
Hobbies: audiobooks and fitness: she works out every day, enjoying kickboxing and basketball
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Director: Raed Zeno
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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
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- 600-seat auditorium
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- Specialist robotics and science laboratories
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What is Reform?
Reform is a right-wing, populist party led by Nigel Farage, a former MEP who won a seat in the House of Commons last year at his eighth attempt and a prominent figure in the campaign for the UK to leave the European Union.
It was founded in 2018 and originally called the Brexit Party.
Many of its members previously belonged to UKIP or the mainstream Conservatives.
After Brexit took place, the party focused on the reformation of British democracy.
Former Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson became its first MP after defecting in March 2024.
The party gained support from Elon Musk, and had hoped the tech billionaire would make a £100m donation. However, Mr Musk changed his mind and called for Mr Farage to step down as leader in a row involving the US tycoon's support for far-right figurehead Tommy Robinson who is in prison for contempt of court.
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Company Profile
Name: Thndr
Started: 2019
Co-founders: Ahmad Hammouda and Seif Amr
Sector: FinTech
Headquarters: Egypt
UAE base: Hub71, Abu Dhabi
Current number of staff: More than 150
Funds raised: $22 million
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
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7pm: Al Ruwais – Group 3 (PA) Dh300,000 (T) 1,200m; Winner: Ashton Tourettes, Pat Dobbs, Ibrahim Aseel
7.30pm: Jebel Hafeet – Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,400m; Winner: Nibraas, Richard Mullen, Nicholas Bachalard
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