A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA
A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA
A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA
A member of the Royal School of Needlework works on the chair of state of Queen Consort Camilla before the coronation. PA

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The chairs of state: A look at some of the most important symbols of the monarchy

Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs play distinct role in coronation ceremonies of British monarchs

Marwa Hassan
Marwa Hassan

May 06, 2023

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  • Arabic

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The UK has a rich history of chairs of state, which hold great significance in royal ceremonies and symbolise the power and authority of the British monarchy.

Among the most prominent are the Chairs of Estate and the Throne Chairs, each playing a distinct role in the coronation ceremonies of British monarchs.

Crafted for Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip in 1953, the Chairs of Estate have been meticulously conserved and reupholstered.

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These regal chairs mark the beginning of the service during coronation ceremonies.

The Throne Chairs, commissioned for the coronation of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, The Queen Mother, in 1937, have also been preserved and reupholstered for use in future coronations.

During the coronation ceremony, the sovereign and their consort are seated on the Chairs of Estate, and the Archbishop of Canterbury administers the oath.

After the anointing and crowning, the newly crowned monarch moves to the Throne Chairs, signifying the completion of the most solemn part of the ceremony and the commencement of the homage segment.

Chairs of state in the UK, including the Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs, are characterised by their large size, ornate design, luxurious upholstery and gold or silver embellishments.

These opulent chairs grace formal events such as coronations, state banquets and religious ceremonies.

One of the UK's most renowned chairs of state is the Coronation Chair, also known as King Edward's Chair.

Phillip Williams, 86, from East Sussex, was 16 when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and worked a 15-hour shift as a young police cadet. All photos: Reuters
Phillip Williams, 86, from East Sussex, was 16 when Queen Elizabeth II was crowned and worked a 15-hour shift as a young police cadet. All photos: Reuters
The helmet of retired Metropolitan Police officer Phillip Williams is displayed in his home in East Sussex
The helmet of retired Metropolitan Police officer Phillip Williams is displayed in his home in East Sussex
Alan Francis, 93, a retired police officer, at his home in Orpington, Kent
Alan Francis, 93, a retired police officer, at his home in Orpington, Kent
A City of London Police ornament belonging to Alan Francis, who was stationed outside Westminster Abbey during the queen's coronation
A City of London Police ornament belonging to Alan Francis, who was stationed outside Westminster Abbey during the queen's coronation
Brenda Piper, 88, left rear, with friends as they wait for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation procession to pass by in Piccadilly
Brenda Piper, 88, left rear, with friends as they wait for Queen Elizabeth II's coronation procession to pass by in Piccadilly
A letter from Queen Elizabeth II to Angela Cumlin, 97, thanking her for the birthday wishes she sent to the queen
A letter from Queen Elizabeth II to Angela Cumlin, 97, thanking her for the birthday wishes she sent to the queen
Norman Allen, 86, was 16 and a boy scout at the time of coronation in 1953. He volunteered to sell programmes on The Mall during the ceremony
Norman Allen, 86, was 16 and a boy scout at the time of coronation in 1953. He volunteered to sell programmes on The Mall during the ceremony
Pamela Tawse, 88, was 18 in 1953 and attended the coronation procession with a friend after working a night shift at St Bart's Hospital
Pamela Tawse, 88, was 18 in 1953 and attended the coronation procession with a friend after working a night shift at St Bart's Hospital
Old photographs of Tom Weatherall, 89, including one, centre, of him and a friend before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Old photographs of Tom Weatherall, 89, including one, centre, of him and a friend before the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II
Muriel Tredinnick, 103, in her bedroom at the Rokewood Court Care Home in Kenley. In 1953 she visited a friend's house to watch the crowning on TV, the first time in her life she had watched television
Muriel Tredinnick, 103, in her bedroom at the Rokewood Court Care Home in Kenley. In 1953 she visited a friend's house to watch the crowning on TV, the first time in her life she had watched television
Rev Milton Job, 90, in the Celestial Church of Christ in south-east London. Rev Job, who moved to the UK in 1961 from Nigeria, was 20 at the time of the coronation and enjoyed an Empire Day festival with his community on the day of the event
Rev Milton Job, 90, in the Celestial Church of Christ in south-east London. Rev Job, who moved to the UK in 1961 from Nigeria, was 20 at the time of the coronation and enjoyed an Empire Day festival with his community on the day of the event
Information about Yvonne (Eve) Harewood, 83, on the door of her bedroom at the Peartree Care Home in London. Harewood, who is originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Information about Yvonne (Eve) Harewood, 83, on the door of her bedroom at the Peartree Care Home in London. Harewood, who is originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Angela Cumlin, 97, at home in London. Cumlin, who is Italian and moved to the UK in 1947, shares a birthday with the late queen and attended a party on the street where she still lives today
Angela Cumlin, 97, at home in London. Cumlin, who is Italian and moved to the UK in 1947, shares a birthday with the late queen and attended a party on the street where she still lives today
Olive Goldsmith, 90, at home in London. In 1953 she didn't know anyone with a television so she attended a street party with her baby and two friends
Olive Goldsmith, 90, at home in London. In 1953 she didn't know anyone with a television so she attended a street party with her baby and two friends
A basket belonging to Pamela Tawse, 88, who said in 1953 she 'could see nothing due to the density of the crowds'. But 'suddenly there was an almighty roar and above the crowds we could see the top of the Coronation Coach pass by,' she said. 'We were there, participating in the coronation.'
A basket belonging to Pamela Tawse, 88, who said in 1953 she 'could see nothing due to the density of the crowds'. But 'suddenly there was an almighty roar and above the crowds we could see the top of the Coronation Coach pass by,' she said. 'We were there, participating in the coronation.'
A portrait from 1953 of Reverend Milton Job and a photograph from 2008 of Queen Elizabeth II awarding him with an MBE on display at the Celestial Church of Christ, in south-east London
A portrait from 1953 of Reverend Milton Job and a photograph from 2008 of Queen Elizabeth II awarding him with an MBE on display at the Celestial Church of Christ, in south-east London
Brenda Piper, 88, with her daughter's cat Bueno. Piper was 19 in 1953 when she camped overnight on the route with her friends to get a good spot to watch the coronation procession
Brenda Piper, 88, with her daughter's cat Bueno. Piper was 19 in 1953 when she camped overnight on the route with her friends to get a good spot to watch the coronation procession
Yvonne Harewood, 83, originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Yvonne Harewood, 83, originally from Singapore, watched the event on television with her sister and her school friends
Royal Air Force veteran Tom Weatherall, 89, who received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II was 19 at the time of the coronation and part of the procession
Royal Air Force veteran Tom Weatherall, 89, who received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II was 19 at the time of the coronation and part of the procession
Alex Falk, 86, who was 16 in 1953, was inside Westminster Abbey for his job as a runner for Reuters and at the time did not realise the significance of the coronation
Alex Falk, 86, who was 16 in 1953, was inside Westminster Abbey for his job as a runner for Reuters and at the time did not realise the significance of the coronation

Housed in Westminster Abbey, this historic chair has been used for the coronation of British monarchs since the 14th century.

The Chairs of Estate and Throne Chairs not only represent the importance of those seated upon them but also inspire awe and respect in observers.

As enduring symbols in British royal history, these chairs of state continue to reflect the grand tradition and significance of the monarchy.

While you're here
Temple numbers

Expected completion: 2022

Height: 24 meters

Ground floor banquet hall: 370 square metres to accommodate about 750 people

Ground floor multipurpose hall: 92 square metres for up to 200 people

First floor main Prayer Hall: 465 square metres to hold 1,500 people at a time

First floor terrace areas: 2,30 square metres  

Temple will be spread over 6,900 square metres

Structure includes two basements, ground and first floor 

Some of Darwish's last words

"They see their tomorrows slipping out of their reach. And though it seems to them that everything outside this reality is heaven, yet they do not want to go to that heaven. They stay, because they are afflicted with hope." - Mahmoud Darwish, to attendees of the Palestine Festival of Literature, 2008

His life in brief: Born in a village near Galilee, he lived in exile for most of his life and started writing poetry after high school. He was arrested several times by Israel for what were deemed to be inciteful poems. Most of his work focused on the love and yearning for his homeland, and he was regarded the Palestinian poet of resistance. Over the course of his life, he published more than 30 poetry collections and books of prose, with his work translated into more than 20 languages. Many of his poems were set to music by Arab composers, most significantly Marcel Khalife. Darwish died on August 9, 2008 after undergoing heart surgery in the United States. He was later buried in Ramallah where a shrine was erected in his honour.

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
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Starring: Yonas Kibreab, Zoe Saldana, Brad Garrett

Directors: Madeline Sharafian, Domee Shi, Adrian Molina

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What is the FNC?

The Federal National Council is one of five federal authorities established by the UAE constitution. It held its first session on December 2, 1972, a year to the day after Federation.
It has 40 members, eight of whom are women. The members represent the UAE population through each of the emirates. Abu Dhabi and Dubai have eight members each, Sharjah and Ras al Khaimah six, and Ajman, Fujairah and Umm Al Quwain have four.
They bring Emirati issues to the council for debate and put those concerns to ministers summoned for questioning. 
The FNC’s main functions include passing, amending or rejecting federal draft laws, discussing international treaties and agreements, and offering recommendations on general subjects raised during sessions.
Federal draft laws must first pass through the FNC for recommendations when members can amend the laws to suit the needs of citizens. The draft laws are then forwarded to the Cabinet for consideration and approval. 
Since 2006, half of the members have been elected by UAE citizens to serve four-year terms and the other half are appointed by the Ruler’s Courts of the seven emirates.
In the 2015 elections, 78 of the 252 candidates were women. Women also represented 48 per cent of all voters and 67 per cent of the voters were under the age of 40.
 

The specs: 2018 BMW X2 and X3

Price, as tested: Dh255,150 (X2); Dh383,250 (X3)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged inline four-cylinder (X2); 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline six-cylinder (X3)

Power 192hp @ 5,000rpm (X2); 355hp @ 5,500rpm (X3)

Torque: 280Nm @ 1,350rpm (X2); 500Nm @ 1,520rpm (X3)

Transmission: Seven-speed automatic (X2); Eight-speed automatic (X3)

Fuel consumption, combined: 5.7L / 100km (X2); 8.3L / 100km (X3)

ESSENTIALS

The flights

Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.

The hotels

Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.

The tours

A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages. 

The specs
  • Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
  • Power: 640hp
  • Torque: 760nm
  • On sale: 2026
  • Price: Not announced yet
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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.

PROFILE OF SWVL

Started: April 2017

Founders: Mostafa Kandil, Ahmed Sabbah and Mahmoud Nouh

Based: Cairo, Egypt

Sector: transport

Size: 450 employees

Investment: approximately $80 million

Investors include: Dubai’s Beco Capital, US’s Endeavor Catalyst, China’s MSA, Egypt’s Sawari Ventures, Sweden’s Vostok New Ventures, Property Finder CEO Michael Lahyani

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BAD%20BOYS%3A%20RIDE%20OR%20DIE
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDirector%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Adil%20El%20Arbi%20and%20Bilall%20Fallah%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStarring%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EWill%20Smith%2C%20Martin%20Lawrence%2C%20Joe%20Pantoliano%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%203.5%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs
 
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
Benefits of first-time home buyers' scheme
  • Priority access to new homes from participating developers
  • Discounts on sales price of off-plan units
  • Flexible payment plans from developers
  • Mortgages with better interest rates, faster approval times and reduced fees
  • DLD registration fee can be paid through banks or credit cards at zero interest rates
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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

NATIONAL%20SELECTIONS
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The specs

Engine: 4-litre twin-turbo V8

Transmission: nine-speed

Power: 542bhp

Torque: 700Nm

Price: Dh848,000

On sale: now

CREW
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The specs

AT4 Ultimate, as tested

Engine: 6.2-litre V8

Power: 420hp

Torque: 623Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh330,800 (Elevation: Dh236,400; AT4: Dh286,800; Denali: Dh345,800)

On sale: Now

MATCH INFO

Brescia 1 (Skrinia og, 76)

Inter Milan 2 (Martinez 33, Lukaku 63)

 

Charlotte Gainsbourg

Rest

(Because Music)

Updated: May 06, 2023, 10:55 AM`
King Charles IIIThe UK royal family