This Saturday, the world will be watching as King Charles III, at 70, is crowned. For the UAE, a country whose early modern history was closely intertwined with Britain and its monarchy, it is a moment to reflect on a long and enduring relationship between the new monarch and the Emirates.
The Prince of Wales, as he was then, first visited the UAE in 1989 with his wife Diana, Princess of Wales, and was welcomed by the country's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.
Speaking at his private majlis in Al Ain, Sheikh Zayed told the prince and princess of his plans to transform Sir Bani Yas Island into a wildlife reserve. Later, the prince and princess enjoyed watching a camel race at Al Maqam track, before having a picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis, alongside Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.
The six-day trip, which included a stop in Kuwait, was intended to boost trade, and the royal couple enjoyed Emirati hospitality in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
The pair attended an official reception at the British embassy in Abu Dhabi, and another at the British consulate in Dubai, where they met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai — who at the time was Minister of Defence.
Prince Charles visited the UAE again in 1999, 2007, 2014 and 2016. During his most recent trip, he and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were treated to a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, accompanied by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who was then Minister of State for Tolerance.
They also visited the Bu Tinah archipelago, a sanctuary for endangered species such as the dugong and hawksbill turtle and attended a celebration at Al Ain's Jahili Fort.
The Duchess of Cornwall even managed to find time to see the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, and attend a Women’s Empowerment Lunch, where she was greeted by Noura Al Kaabi, who was Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs at the time.
After visiting the logistics centre, Dubai International Humanitarian City, where the prince Charles met aid workers, he said the UAE was positioned to become the world’s foremost humanitarian logistical power.
“The UAE is second to none in its generosity. This is one facet of Sheikh Zayed’s remarkable legacy," he added.
Living in...
This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home.
Wicked
Director: Jon M Chu
Stars: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Our Time Has Come
Alyssa Ayres, Oxford University Press
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Killing of Qassem Suleimani
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
A State of Passion
Directors: Carol Mansour and Muna Khalidi
Stars: Dr Ghassan Abu-Sittah
Rating: 4/5
Results
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Cinco in numbers
Dh3.7 million
The estimated cost of Victoria Swarovski’s gem-encrusted Michael Cinco wedding gown
46
The number, in kilograms, that Swarovski’s wedding gown weighed.
1,000
The hours it took to create Cinco’s vermillion petal gown, as seen in his atelier [note, is the one he’s playing with in the corner of a room]
50
How many looks Cinco has created in a new collection to celebrate Ballet Philippines’ 50th birthday
3,000
The hours needed to create the butterfly gown worn by Aishwarya Rai to the 2018 Cannes Film Festival.
1.1 million
The number of followers that Michael Cinco’s Instagram account has garnered.
Election pledges on migration
CDU: "Now is the time to control the German borders and enforce strict border rejections"
SPD: "Border closures and blanket rejections at internal borders contradict the spirit of a common area of freedom"
Dust and sand storms compared
Sand storm
- Particle size: Larger, heavier sand grains
- Visibility: Often dramatic with thick "walls" of sand
- Duration: Short-lived, typically localised
- Travel distance: Limited
- Source: Open desert areas with strong winds
Dust storm
- Particle size: Much finer, lightweight particles
- Visibility: Hazy skies but less intense
- Duration: Can linger for days
- Travel distance: Long-range, up to thousands of kilometres
- Source: Can be carried from distant regions
A MINECRAFT MOVIE
Director: Jared Hess
Starring: Jack Black, Jennifer Coolidge, Jason Momoa
Rating: 3/5
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
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House-hunting
Top 10 locations for inquiries from US house hunters, according to Rightmove
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Westminster, London
- Camden, London
- Glasgow, Scotland
- Islington, London
- Kensington and Chelsea, London
- Highlands, Scotland
- Argyll and Bute, Scotland
- Fife, Scotland
- Tower Hamlets, London
