Royal families share 2021 Christmas cards: from Queen Rania to Prince William


Farah Andrews
  • English
  • Arabic

Royal families from around the world have started sharing their annual Christmas cards.

Jordan's King Abdullah II and Queen Rania shared a photo to celebrate the season with their children, Crown Prince Hussein, 27, Princess Iman, 25, Princess Salma, 21, and Prince Hashem, 16.

"May the threads of happiness, hope and good health weave together your New Year," Queen Rania wrote on Instagram sharing the image.

Paying tribute to Jordan, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared a photograph of themselves in Petra, during a trip to the country earlier this year.

The relaxed photo was taken during a family trip to Jordan. The Duke of Cambridge, wearing shorts, is pictured sitting on a gold pouffe next to the duchess, who is wearing a green dress. They are resting a hand on each other’s knee.

Prince George, 8, and Princess Charlotte, 6, sit next to their parents, while Prince Louis, 3, is sitting on what appears to be a sheepskin rug at his mother’s feet.

When the duchess was a child, the Middleton family lived in Jordan and she has fond memories of her time there.

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, shared a card befitting 2021. The Prince of Wales is seen adjusting Camilla's mask in the image, which was taken at Royal Ascot this year.

Spain's King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia shared their festive family image. The formal photograph is taken in a garden with daughters Princess Leonor, 16, and Princess Sofia, 14.

The Dutch, Swedish and Danish royal families are yet to share their Christmas cards for 2021.

The Swedish royals have shared a photo of Princess Estelle, 9, and Prince Oscar, 5, the children of Crown Princess Victoria and Prince Daniel in front of the Christmas tree at Haga Palace, Stockholm.

In the photo, Prince Oscar is wearing a Father Christmas outfit and Princess Estelle is holding a tray of pastries.

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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Price, base / as tested From Dh173,775 (base model)
Engine 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo, AWD
Power 249hp at 5,500rpm
Torque 365Nm at 1,300-4,500rpm
Gearbox Nine-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined 7.9L/100km

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets

Babumoshai Bandookbaaz

Director: Kushan Nandy

Starring: Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Bidita Bag, Jatin Goswami

Three stars

Groom and Two Brides

Director: Elie Semaan

Starring: Abdullah Boushehri, Laila Abdallah, Lulwa Almulla

Rating: 3/5

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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EDeveloper%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20Insomniac%20Games%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPublisher%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%20%20Sony%20Interactive%20Entertainment%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EConsole%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EPlayStation%205%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ERating%3A%3C%2Fstrong%3E%205%2F5%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
LA LIGA FIXTURES

Saturday  (UAE kick-off times)

Leganes v Getafe (12am)​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Levante v Alaves (4pm)

Real Madrid v Sevilla (7pm)

Osasuna v Valladolid (9.30pm)

Sunday

Eibar v Atletico Madrid (12am)

Mallorca v Valencia (3pm)

Real Betis v Real Sociedad (5pm)

Villarreal v Espanyol (7pm)

Athletic Bilbao v Celta Vigo (9.30pm)

Monday

Barcelona v Granada (12am)

Name: Brendalle Belaza

From: Crossing Rubber, Philippines

Arrived in the UAE: 2007

Favourite place in Abu Dhabi: NYUAD campus

Favourite photography style: Street photography

Favourite book: Harry Potter

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl, 48V hybrid

Transmission: eight-speed automatic

Power: 325bhp

Torque: 450Nm

Price: Dh289,000

Updated: December 16, 2021, 1:59 PM