Prince William, who has finally made his first official trip to the UAE this week, was only seven years old when his parents Prince Charles and Princess Diana visited the country for the first time in 1989.
Live updates: follow the latest news on Prince William's visit to the UAE
The six-day trip, which also included a visit to Kuwait, was intended as a boost to British trade, and Charles and Diana were given the ultimate Emirati hospitality in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.
Princess Diana, who was 25 at the time, also made news for her fashion choices during the visit, including the high-waisted blue skirt and white jacket with contrasting blue lapels by designer Catherine Walker that she wore as she stepped off the plane in Dubai. The look, which was paired with a turban hat, immediately became a fashion sensation.
Charles and Diana also met Sheikh Zayed, the Founding Father, at his private majlis in Al Ain where, speaking through his translator, he revealed his plans for Sir Bani Yas Island as a wildlife reserve. The couple were also treated to a camel race and a picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis.
The royals also attended an official reception at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi. In Dubai, they met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, then Minister of Defence, at another British Embassy reception.
Watch a video of Prince Charles and Diana's UAE visit in 1989 below:
In 1999, Prince Charles returned to the UAE, this time on a solo trip. His seven-day tour of the Gulf also included visits to Oman and Saudi Arabia.
In Dubai, Charles attended the Dubai Airshow, and toured the annual aviation exhibition, which included some 30 British exhibitors. The royal so hopped into the cockpit of a prototype Eurofighter tycoon, made by a British-led consortium.
Charles again returned to the UAE in 2014, and was received in the capital by Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
Prince Charles’s visit, which was supported by the British government, also involved a trip to Manama where he met the Crown Prince of Bahrain, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, before holding talks with King Hamad. The British royal also visited Saudi Arabia and Qatar that week.
“The visit of the Prince of Wales symbolises the long-standing friendship between our royal families and demonstrates partnership at the very highest level," Dominic Jermey, then British ambassador to the UAE, said. “These personal ties act as a bedrock in the UK-UAE relationship and allow us to collaborate with confidence on the many issues our people are passionate about, not least critical issues in the region and around the world.”
Charles returned to Abu Dhabi in 2015, for a flying visit, and again met Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. The trip also included stops in Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Prince Charles' last visit to the UAE was in 2016, this time accompanied by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, whom he married in 2005. The three-day visit in November was part of a regional tour that started in Oman and ended in Bahrain.
Upon their arrival in Abu Dhabi, the royal couple were taken on a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, where they were accompanied by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, then Minister of State for Tolerance.
After a brief tour of the mosque, Charles and Camilla viewed a photography exhibition and other works presented by a cultural guide. The royal couple then visited the mosque’s main hall to learn about the building’s architecture, design and carpet.
A quick walk around the courtyard to learn more about the distinctive floral design as the call to prayer echoed around the grand setting was followed by a reception to meet guests from different faiths and nationalities.
During the tour, the royals also visited the Bu Tinah archipelago, a sanctuary for endangered species such as the dugong and hawksbill turtle, and a UN-recognised heritage site located about 150 kilometers from Abu Dhabi. They also attended a celebration at Jahili Fort in Al Ain and a Youth Circle event in Masdar City.
The Duchess of Cornwall made time to visit the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, where she was informed about the importance of falconry in Arab culture and watched staff operate on one of the birds.
That same day, she met a group of prominent UAE women at a Women’s Empowerment Lunch, where she was greeted by Noura Al Kaabi, then Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs.
The duchess met senior government officials, business leaders and Armed Forces officers during the event.
“We were delighted to have had the opportunity to demonstrate to the duchess the way in which UAE women are engaged not only in the building of those ties, but also how Emirati women are engaged in the UAE’s development in all fields,” Al Kaabi said.
In a day with a full appointment book, Camilla also unveiled a plaque to formally inaugurate a branch of the Imperial College London Diabetes Centre in Zayed Sports City.
Prince Charles visited the Masdar Institute of Science and Technology in Abu Dhabi where he was given a guided tour of the facility before meeting students.
In Dubai, the couple visited the logistics hub Dubai International Humanitarian City on the final day of their state visit to the UAE.
The prince met aid workers and viewed innovative projects delivering emergency support to where it is needed most. In a speech, he said the UAE was well placed 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."
In the afternoon, Prince Charles met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, at Zabeel Palace. They discussed the promotion of cultural, tourism and sports ties between their two countries.
Surianah's top five jazz artists
Billie Holliday: for the burn and also the way she told stories.
Thelonius Monk: for his earnestness.
Duke Ellington: for his edge and spirituality.
Louis Armstrong: his legacy is undeniable. He is considered as one of the most revolutionary and influential musicians.
Terence Blanchard: very political - a lot of jazz musicians are making protest music right now.
Grand Slam Los Angeles results
Men:
56kg – Jorge Nakamura
62kg – Joao Gabriel de Sousa
69kg – Gianni Grippo
77kg – Caio Soares
85kg – Manuel Ribamar
94kg – Gustavo Batista
110kg – Erberth Santos
Women:
49kg – Mayssa Bastos
55kg – Nathalie Ribeiro
62kg – Gabrielle McComb
70kg – Thamara Silva
90kg – Gabrieli Pessanha
The biog
Born: High Wycombe, England
Favourite vehicle: One with solid axels
Favourite camping spot: Anywhere I can get to.
Favourite road trip: My first trip to Kazakhstan-Kyrgyzstan. The desert they have over there is different and the language made it a bit more challenging.
Favourite spot in the UAE: Al Dhafra. It’s unique, natural, inaccessible, unspoilt.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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HIV on the rise in the region
A 2019 United Nations special analysis on Aids reveals 37 per cent of new HIV infections in the Mena region are from people injecting drugs.
New HIV infections have also risen by 29 per cent in western Europe and Asia, and by 7 per cent in Latin America, but declined elsewhere.
Egypt has shown the highest increase in recorded cases of HIV since 2010, up by 196 per cent.
Access to HIV testing, treatment and care in the region is well below the global average.
Few statistics have been published on the number of cases in the UAE, although a UNAIDS report said 1.5 per cent of the prison population has the virus.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg
Barcelona v Liverpool, Wednesday, 11pm (UAE).
Second leg
Liverpool v Barcelona, Tuesday, May 7, 11pm
Games on BeIN Sports
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
Essentials
The flights
Emirates flies direct from Dubai to Seattle from Dh6,755 return in economy and Dh24,775 in business class.
The cruise
UnCruise Adventures offers a variety of small-ship cruises in Alaska and around the world. A 14-day Alaska’s Inside Passage and San Juans Cruise from Seattle to Juneau or reverse costs from $4,695 (Dh17,246), including accommodation, food and most activities. Trips in 2019 start in April and run until September.
MORE ON THE US DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES
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Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
'Spies in Disguise'
Director: Nick Bruno and Troy Quane
Stars: Will Smith, Tom Holland, Karen Gillan and Roshida Jones
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
Liverpool's all-time goalscorers
Ian Rush 346
Roger Hunt 285
Mohamed Salah 250
Gordon Hodgson 241
Billy Liddell 228
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
The alternatives
• Founded in 2014, Telr is a payment aggregator and gateway with an office in Silicon Oasis. It’s e-commerce entry plan costs Dh349 monthly (plus VAT). QR codes direct customers to an online payment page and merchants can generate payments through messaging apps.
• Business Bay’s Pallapay claims 40,000-plus active merchants who can invoice customers and receive payment by card. Fees range from 1.99 per cent plus Dh1 per transaction depending on payment method and location, such as online or via UAE mobile.
• Tap started in May 2013 in Kuwait, allowing Middle East businesses to bill, accept, receive and make payments online “easier, faster and smoother” via goSell and goCollect. It supports more than 10,000 merchants. Monthly fees range from US$65-100, plus card charges of 2.75-3.75 per cent and Dh1.2 per sale.
• 2checkout’s “all-in-one payment gateway and merchant account” accepts payments in 200-plus markets for 2.4-3.9 per cent, plus a Dh1.2-Dh1.8 currency conversion charge. The US provider processes online shop and mobile transactions and has 17,000-plus active digital commerce users.
• PayPal is probably the best-known online goods payment method - usually used for eBay purchases - but can be used to receive funds, providing everyone’s signed up. Costs from 2.9 per cent plus Dh1.2 per transaction.
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Maestro
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Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The President's Cake
Director: Hasan Hadi
Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem
Rating: 4/5
Know your Camel lingo
The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home
Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless
Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers
Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s
Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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Company%20profile
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NEW%20UTILITY%20POLICY%3A%20WHAT%20DOES%20IT%20REGULATE%3F
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'The Woman in the House Across the Street from the Girl in the Window'
Director:Michael Lehmann
Stars:Kristen Bell
Rating: 1/5
Global state-owned investor ranking by size
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United States
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China
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UAE
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Japan
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Norway
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Canada
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Singapore
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Australia
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Saudi Arabia
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South Korea
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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
The specs
Common to all models unless otherwise stated
Engine: 4-cylinder 2-litre T-GDi
0-100kph: 5.3 seconds (Elantra); 5.5 seconds (Kona); 6.1 seconds (Veloster)
Power: 276hp
Torque: 392Nm
Transmission: 6-Speed Manual/ 8-Speed Dual Clutch FWD
Price: TBC
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
Low turnout
Two months before the first round on April 10, the appetite of voters for the election is low.
Mathieu Gallard, account manager with Ipsos, which conducted the most recent poll, said current forecasts suggested only two-thirds were "very likely" to vote in the first round, compared with a 78 per cent turnout in the 2017 presidential elections.
"It depends on how interesting the campaign is on their main concerns," he told The National. "Just now, it's hard to say who, between Macron and the candidates of the right, would be most affected by a low turnout."
