International royals and celebrities attend glittering opening ceremony of Grand Egyptian Museum


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

The Grand Egyptian Museum has officially opened. To mark the cultural occasion, royals and dignitaries from around the world flew into Cairo.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attended the ceremony on behalf of President Sheikh Mohamed.

Also in attendance were members of regional royal families, including Queen Rania of Jordan, who was joined by daughter Princess Salma; Oman's Crown Prince Theyazin bin Haitham; Crown Prince of Bahrain, Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa; and Saudi Arabia's Minister of Culture, Prince Badr bin Abdullah.

On Instagram, Queen Rania described the opening as a "magnificent tribute to Egypt’s rich ancient history".

The inauguration was held in the presence of Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi, who greeted dignitaries with his wife, Entissar Amer El Sisi.

President El Sisi hailed the museum as opening a "new chapter" for the nation. Egypt was "writing a new chapter in the story of this ancient nation's present and future," he told the gathered crowd, which included 79 international delegations, including 39 heads of state and government.

  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in Giza with hosts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and first lady Entissar El Sisi for the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum on November 1. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in Giza with hosts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and first lady Entissar El Sisi for the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum on November 1. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed , Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was among the dozens of leaders and senior officials who attended the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza on November 1. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed , Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, was among the dozens of leaders and senior officials who attended the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza on November 1. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in Giza with hosts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and first lady Entissar El Sisi for the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, in Giza with hosts President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and first lady Entissar El Sisi for the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
  • Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attends the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
    Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, attends the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
  • Rarely-seen Egyptian actress Sherihan makes an appearance on stage at the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Photo: Instagram
    Rarely-seen Egyptian actress Sherihan makes an appearance on stage at the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum. Photo: Instagram
  • The opening of the museum at Giza was the culmination of a 20-year ambition to tell Egypt's story. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
    The opening of the museum at Giza was the culmination of a 20-year ambition to tell Egypt's story. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media office
  • Dressed for the occasion, performers prepare at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza before the opening ceremony on November 1. EPA
    Dressed for the occasion, performers prepare at the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza before the opening ceremony on November 1. EPA
  • Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi appears on a broadcast during the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, as people watch on a big screen near Tahrir Square in Cairo, in front of Abdeen Palace Museum. Reuters
    Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi appears on a broadcast during the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, as people watch on a big screen near Tahrir Square in Cairo, in front of Abdeen Palace Museum. Reuters
  • King Felipe VI of Spain, centre, attends the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza, the world's largest archaeological museum. EPA
    King Felipe VI of Spain, centre, attends the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza, the world's largest archaeological museum. EPA
  • Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, centre, joins heads of state during the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, in Giza, Egypt for a 'family' photo on November 1. EPA
    Portuguese President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, centre, joins heads of state during the official opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, in Giza, Egypt for a 'family' photo on November 1. EPA
  • Lightning effects depicting one of the ancient symbols formed by drones illuminate the sky above the Grand Egyptian Museum during the opening ceremony in Giza on November 1. Getty Images
    Lightning effects depicting one of the ancient symbols formed by drones illuminate the sky above the Grand Egyptian Museum during the opening ceremony in Giza on November 1. Getty Images
  • Lightning effects depicting the sarcophagus Egyptian King Tutankhamun formed by drones lights up the sky above the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to tens of thousands of artefacts including the entire 5,000-piece collection of treasures unearthed with Tutankhamun in one place for the first time since the discovery of the pharaoh's tomb in 1922. Getty Images
    Lightning effects depicting the sarcophagus Egyptian King Tutankhamun formed by drones lights up the sky above the Grand Egyptian Museum, home to tens of thousands of artefacts including the entire 5,000-piece collection of treasures unearthed with Tutankhamun in one place for the first time since the discovery of the pharaoh's tomb in 1922. Getty Images
  • Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and first lady Entissar El Sisi, centre, with officials and guests during the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza. AFP
    Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and first lady Entissar El Sisi, centre, with officials and guests during the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum at Giza. AFP
  • A drone light show depicts the mask of ancient pharaoh Tutankhamen during the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, near the Giza pyramid complex. Reuters
    A drone light show depicts the mask of ancient pharaoh Tutankhamen during the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum, near the Giza pyramid complex. Reuters
  • A girl in costume watches the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum on a big screen near Tahrir Square in Cairo. Reuters
    A girl in costume watches the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum on a big screen near Tahrir Square in Cairo. Reuters
  • Illuminations at the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, south-west Cairo. AFP
    Illuminations at the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza, south-west Cairo. AFP
  • Spectators watch the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum on a big screen near Tahrir Square in Cairo. Reuters
    Spectators watch the official opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum on a big screen near Tahrir Square in Cairo. Reuters

The opening ceremony began with an official group photograph of the attending delegations, followed by a musical symphony, accompanied by a drone and light show that illustrated the architectural harmony between the museum's design and the Pyramids of Giza.

The performances on the night included the debut of a piece written for the opening by Egyptian composer Hesham Nazih.

A drone show depicting the sarcophagus Egyptian King Tutankhamun lights up the sky above the Grand Egyptian Museum. Getty Images
A drone show depicting the sarcophagus Egyptian King Tutankhamun lights up the sky above the Grand Egyptian Museum. Getty Images

International royal attendees included Japan's Princess Akiko of Mikasa; Prince Albert of Monaco; Queen Mary of Denmark; King Philippe of Belgium; Spain's King Felipe VI; Princess Sirivannavari of Thailand; and Prince Carlo of Bourbon-Two Sicilies and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Castro.

Rarely seen Egyptian actress Sherihan made an appearance on stage. She wore a gold sequinned Elie Saab gown and was joined by a troop of dancers, wearing uniform golden lamé dresses and black wigs.

Actors Ahmed Malek, Huda El Mufti, Ahmed Ghozzi, Salma Abudeif and Yasmina El Abd also took part in the ceremony. The actors all wore ancient pharaonic dress.

Ghozzi posted about the museum's opening on Instagram, writing: "Today was a legendary celebration befitting the greatness of our civilisation, the opening of the Grand Egyptian Museum, which opened its doors to the whole world to see for themselves the beauty of Egypt's timeless history."

The Grand Egyptian Museum’s official opening ceremony took place on Saturday, and it will open in full to the public on Tuesday.

The museum contains an extensive collection of ancient artefacts, including the complete treasures of King Tutankhamun, showcased together for the first time since the discovery of his tomb in November 1922. With a collection of more than 100,000 artefacts, half of which will be on display, it is the world's largest collection devoted to a single civilisation, President El Sisi said in his speech.

Spanning 500,000 square metres and overlooking the Giza Pyramids, the museum site features 12 grand halls surrounded by landscaped gardens covering 120,000 square metres. It presents artefacts spanning Egypt’s history, from prehistoric times and ancient Egyptian civilisation through to the Greco-Roman era.

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Translated from the Spanish by Camilo A. Ramirez

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UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Racecard

5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m

6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m

7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m

8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

SPEC%20SHEET%3A%20APPLE%20M3%20MACBOOK%20AIR%20(13%22)
%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EProcessor%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Apple%20M3%2C%208-core%20CPU%2C%20up%20to%2010-core%20CPU%2C%2016-core%20Neural%20Engine%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDisplay%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2013.6-inch%20Liquid%20Retina%2C%202560%20x%201664%2C%20224ppi%2C%20500%20nits%2C%20True%20Tone%2C%20wide%20colour%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EMemory%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%208%2F16%2F24GB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EStorage%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20256%2F512GB%20%2F%201%2F2TB%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EI%2FO%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Thunderbolt%203%2FUSB-4%20(2)%2C%203.5mm%20audio%2C%20Touch%20ID%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EConnectivity%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Wi-Fi%206E%2C%20Bluetooth%205.3%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EBattery%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%2052.6Wh%20lithium-polymer%2C%20up%20to%2018%20hours%2C%20MagSafe%20charging%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3ECamera%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%201080p%20FaceTime%20HD%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EVideo%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Support%20for%20Apple%20ProRes%2C%20HDR%20with%20Dolby%20Vision%2C%20HDR10%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EAudio%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%204-speaker%20system%2C%20wide%20stereo%2C%20support%20for%20Dolby%20Atmos%2C%20Spatial%20Audio%20and%20dynamic%20head%20tracking%20(with%20AirPods)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EColours%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Midnight%2C%20silver%2C%20space%20grey%2C%20starlight%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EIn%20the%20box%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20MacBook%20Air%2C%2030W%2F35W%20dual-port%2F70w%20power%20adapter%2C%20USB-C-to-MagSafe%20cable%2C%202%20Apple%20stickers%3C%2Fp%3E%0A%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20From%20Dh4%2C599%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2019 Infiniti QX50

Price, base: Dh138,000 (estimate)
Engine: 2.0L, turbocharged, in-line four-cylinder
Transmission: Continuously variable transmission
Power: 268hp @ 5,600rpm
Torque: 380Nm @ 4,400rpm
Fuel economy: 6.7L / 100km (estimate)

The specs

Engine: Two permanent-magnet synchronous AC motors

Transmission: two-speed

Power: 671hp

Torque: 849Nm

Range: 456km

Price: from Dh437,900 

On sale: now

The specs

Price: From Dh180,000 (estimate)

Engine: 2.0-litre turbocharged and supercharged in-line four-cylinder

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 320hp @ 5,700rpm

Torque: 400Nm @ 2,200rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 9.7L / 100km

The specs: 2018 Range Rover Velar R-Dynamic HSE

Price, base / as tested: Dh263,235 / Dh420,000

Engine: 3.0-litre supercharged V6

Power 375hp @ 6,500rpm

Torque: 450Nm @ 3,500rpm

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Fuel consumption, combined: 9.4L / 100kms

Desert Warrior

Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley

Director: Rupert Wyatt

Rating: 3/5

FIXTURES (all times UAE)

Sunday
Brescia v Lazio (3.30pm)
SPAL v Verona (6pm)
Genoa v Sassuolo (9pm)
AS Roma v Torino (11.45pm)

Monday
Bologna v Fiorentina (3.30pm)
AC Milan v Sampdoria (6pm)
Juventus v Cagliari (6pm)
Atalanta v Parma (6pm)
Lecce v Udinese (9pm)
Napoli v Inter Milan (11.45pm)

GOLF’S RAHMBO

- 5 wins in 22 months as pro
- Three wins in past 10 starts
- 45 pro starts worldwide: 5 wins, 17 top 5s
- Ranked 551th in world on debut, now No 4 (was No 2 earlier this year)
- 5th player in last 30 years to win 3 European Tour and 2 PGA Tour titles before age 24 (Woods, Garcia, McIlroy, Spieth)

Liz%20Truss
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Labour dispute

The insured employee may still file an ILOE claim even if a labour dispute is ongoing post termination, but the insurer may suspend or reject payment, until the courts resolve the dispute, especially if the reason for termination is contested. The outcome of the labour court proceedings can directly affect eligibility.


- Abdullah Ishnaneh, Partner, BSA Law 

The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre 6-cyl turbo

Power: 374hp at 5,500-6,500rpm

Torque: 500Nm from 1,900-5,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 8.5L/100km

Price: from Dh285,000

On sale: from January 2022 

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.

Race card

4pm Al Bastakiya Listed US$300,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

4.35pm Mahab Al Shimaal Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,200m

5.10pm Nad Al Sheba Turf Group 3 $350,000 (Turf) 1,200m

5.45pm Burj Nahaar Group 3 $350,000 (D) 1,600m

6.20pm Jebel Hatta Group 1 $400,000 (T) 1,800m

6.55pm Al Maktoum Challenge Round-3 Group 1 $600,000 (D) 2,000m

7.30pm Dubai City Of Gold Group 2 $350,000 (T) 2,410m

The National selections:

4pm Zabardast

4.35pm Ibn Malik

5.10pm Space Blues

5.45pm Kimbear

6.20pm Barney Roy

6.55pm Matterhorn

7.30pm Defoe

Book%20Details
%3Cp%3E%3Cem%3EThree%20Centuries%20of%20Travel%20Writing%20by%20Muslim%20Women%3C%2Fem%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EEditors%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ESiobhan%20Lambert-Hurley%2C%20Daniel%20Majchrowicz%2C%20Sunil%20Sharma%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EIndiana%20University%20Press%3B%20532%20pages%3Cbr%3E%3C%2Fp%3E%0A

Miss Granny

Director: Joyce Bernal

Starring: Sarah Geronimo, James Reid, Xian Lim, Nova Villa

3/5

(Tagalog with Eng/Ar subtitles)

if you go

The flights

Fly to Rome with Etihad (www.etihad.ae) or Emirates (www.emirates.com) from Dh2,480 return including taxes. The flight takes six hours. Fly from Rome to Trapani with Ryanair (www.ryanair.com) from Dh420 return including taxes. The flight takes one hour 10 minutes. 

The hotels 

The author recommends the following hotels for this itinerary. In Trapani, Ai Lumi (www.ailumi.it); in Marsala, Viacolvento (www.viacolventomarsala.it); and in Marsala Del Vallo, the Meliaresort Dimore Storiche (www.meliaresort.it).

BMW M5 specs

Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor

Power: 727hp

Torque: 1,000Nm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh650,000

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results

5pm: Maiden (PA) Dh80,000 (Turf) 1,200m, Winner: ES Rubban, Antonio Fresu (jockey), Ibrahim Aseel (trainer)

5.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,200m, Winner: Al Mobher, Sczcepan Mazur, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6pm: Handicap (PA) Dh80,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: Jabalini, Tadhg O’Shea, Ibrahim Al Hadhrami

6.30pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Dh70,000 (T) 2,200m, Winner: AF Abahe, Tadgh O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7pm: Handicap (PA) Dh85,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: AF Makerah, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

7.30pm: Maiden (TB) Dh80,000 (T) 1,600m, Winner: Law Of Peace, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

Yuki Means Happiness
Alison Jean Lester
John Murray 

Updated: November 04, 2025, 7:03 AM