• Princess Diana on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on her wedding day in 1981. The wedding dress is to go on public display for the first time in more than 25 years. Getty Images
    Princess Diana on the balcony of Buckingham Palace on her wedding day in 1981. The wedding dress is to go on public display for the first time in more than 25 years. Getty Images
  • The dress - with its billowing sleeves, bows and lace flounces - will be the star attraction. Royal Collection Trust
    The dress - with its billowing sleeves, bows and lace flounces - will be the star attraction. Royal Collection Trust
  • A detailed view of the neckline of the wedding dress. Royal Collection Trust
    A detailed view of the neckline of the wedding dress. Royal Collection Trust
  • It will be displayed with Diana’s 7.6-metre sequin-encrusted train, the longest in British royal history. Getty Images
    It will be displayed with Diana’s 7.6-metre sequin-encrusted train, the longest in British royal history. Getty Images
  • Princess Diana and Prince Charles pose for the official photograph by Lord Lichfield at Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. Getty Images
    Princess Diana and Prince Charles pose for the official photograph by Lord Lichfield at Buckingham Palace on their wedding day. Getty Images
  • The gown was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. Getty Images
    The gown was designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel. Getty Images
  • A Historic Royal Palaces conservator prepares Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's coronation gown toile for display. Historic Royal Palaces
    A Historic Royal Palaces conservator prepares Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother's coronation gown toile for display. Historic Royal Palaces

Fashion

Princes Harry and William allow Diana’s wedding dress to star in show

Exhibition at London's Kensington Palace will explore relationships between fashion designers and royals

Simon Rushton
Simon Rushton

April 27, 2021

  • English
  • Arabic

The famous wedding dress worn by Diana, Princess of Wales, is to go on public display for the first time in more than 25 years.
It will be displayed with Diana's 7.6-metre sequin-encrusted train, the longest in British royal history.
Princes William and Harry have agreed to lend their mother's full-silk taffeta bridal gown to Historic Royal Palaces for a temporary exhibition at Kensington Palace in the UK's capital.
The dress – with its billowing sleeves, bows and lace flounces – will be the star attraction.

“Our summer exhibition will shine a spotlight on some of the greatest talents of British design, whose work has been instrumental in shaping the visual identity of the royal family across the 20th century,” said Matthew Storey, exhibition curator at Historic Royal Palaces.

“We’ll be exploring how the partnership between each designer and client worked and revealing the process behind the creation of a number of the most important couture commissions in royal history.

"While one of the highlights will undoubtedly be Diana, Princess of Wales's, show-stopping Emanuel-designed wedding dress – which goes on show at the palace for the first time in 25 years – we've got some real surprises up our sleeve for fashion fans."
The Royal Style In The Making exhibition will open in the orangery at the palace on June 3 and run until January 2.
It will be closed on July 1, which would have been Diana's 60th birthday, when her sons are due to attend the unveiling nearby of a statue in her memory.
The gown, designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel for Lady Diana Spencer's wedding to the Prince of Wales in 1981, features a fitted bodice overlaid at the centre, both front and back, with panels of antique Carrickmacross lace, which originally belonged to Queen Mary – Prince Charles's great-grandmother.

The bride’s ivory silk tulle featured 10,000 mother-of-pearl sequins.

Royal Style In The Making will feature items displayed for the first time, including the surviving toile for the 1937 coronation dress of the Queen Mother.
See photos of William and Harry:

  • Prince William and Prince Harry join Queen Elizabeth II's funeral procession towards St George's Chapel in September 2022 in Windsor. Getty Images
    Prince William and Prince Harry join Queen Elizabeth II's funeral procession towards St George's Chapel in September 2022 in Windsor. Getty Images
  • The royal brothers attend a vigil in honour of the queen at Westminster Hall, central London. Getty Images
    The royal brothers attend a vigil in honour of the queen at Westminster Hall, central London. Getty Images
  • Prince William, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at Westminster Hall as the queen's coffin is carried in. Getty Images
    Prince William, his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince Harry, and his wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, at Westminster Hall as the queen's coffin is carried in. Getty Images
  • The princes and their wives on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle, heading to meet mourners who had gathered and left tributes to Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images
    The princes and their wives on the Long Walk at Windsor Castle, heading to meet mourners who had gathered and left tributes to Queen Elizabeth. Getty Images
  • Prince William and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess Diana in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, in July 2021. Getty Images
    Prince William and Prince Harry unveil a statue they commissioned of their mother Princess Diana in the Sunken Garden at Kensington Palace, in July 2021. Getty Images
  • The princes at the ceremonial procession during the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in April 2021. Getty Images
    The princes at the ceremonial procession during the funeral of Prince Philip at Windsor Castle in April 2021. Getty Images
  • The princes are joined by their wives for a Commonwealth Day service in March 2020 in London. Getty Images
    The princes are joined by their wives for a Commonwealth Day service in March 2020 in London. Getty Images
  • (L-R) Prince William, Sir David Attenborough, Prince Charles — now king — and Prince Harry attend the world premiere of Our Planet at London's Natural History Museum in April 2019. Getty Images
    (L-R) Prince William, Sir David Attenborough, Prince Charles — now king — and Prince Harry attend the world premiere of Our Planet at London's Natural History Museum in April 2019. Getty Images
  • The princes and their wives leave a Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, in December 2018. Getty Images
    The princes and their wives leave a Christmas Day service at the Church of St Mary Magdalene, Sandringham, in December 2018. Getty Images
  • Prince William and Prince Harry attend the opening of the Greenhouse Sports Centre in 2018 in London. Getty Images
    Prince William and Prince Harry attend the opening of the Greenhouse Sports Centre in 2018 in London. Getty Images
  • Prince William and Prince Harry watch the RAF 100th anniversary flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the queen, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Getty Images
    Prince William and Prince Harry watch the RAF 100th anniversary flypast from the balcony of Buckingham Palace alongside the queen, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Getty Images
  • Prince William, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2018. Getty Images
    Prince William, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry attend an Anzac Day service at Westminster Abbey in 2018. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry with his best man, Prince William, as they wait for the start of his wedding ceremony to Meghan in 2018. Getty Images
    Prince Harry with his best man, Prince William, as they wait for the start of his wedding ceremony to Meghan in 2018. Getty Images
  • The princes race against each other at a London Marathon training day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2017. Getty Images
    The princes race against each other at a London Marathon training day at the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in 2017. Getty Images
  • The princes try out light sabres during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studio, London, in 2016. Getty Images
    The princes try out light sabres during a tour of the Star Wars sets at Pinewood studio, London, in 2016. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William raise their wands on the set used to depict Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Getty Images
    Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William raise their wands on the set used to depict Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter films. Getty Images
  • The princes take part in the late queen's diamond jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace in 2012. Getty Images
    The princes take part in the late queen's diamond jubilee celebrations at Buckingham Palace in 2012. Getty Images
  • Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William wave from the royal barge Spirit of Chartwell in 2012. Getty Images
    Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William wave from the royal barge Spirit of Chartwell in 2012. Getty Images
  • Prince William takes the hand of his bride Kate, followed by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton as they walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey in 2011. Getty Images
    Prince William takes the hand of his bride Kate, followed by Prince Harry and Pippa Middleton as they walk down the aisle of Westminster Abbey in 2011. Getty Images
  • The princes chat before the wedding in 2011. Getty Images
    The princes chat before the wedding in 2011. Getty Images
  • The princes pose with David Beckham at an FA reception in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images
    The princes pose with David Beckham at an FA reception in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images
  • The princes on a visit to a classroom lit by oil lamps in Semongkong, Lesotho, in 2010. Getty Images
    The princes on a visit to a classroom lit by oil lamps in Semongkong, Lesotho, in 2010. Getty Images
  • The princes celebrate a try during the 2007 Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa in 2007. Getty Images
    The princes celebrate a try during the 2007 Rugby World Cup final between England and South Africa in 2007. Getty Images
  • The princes pose for an official photograph for the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla in 2005. Getty Images
    The princes pose for an official photograph for the wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla in 2005. Getty Images
  • The princes follow the coffin of their grandmother and Princess Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, in 2004. Getty Images
    The princes follow the coffin of their grandmother and Princess Diana's mother, Frances Shand Kydd, in 2004. Getty Images
  • Queen Elizabeth waves to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as Prince Harry and Prince William look on after attending the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 2003. Getty Images
    Queen Elizabeth waves to the crowd from the balcony of Buckingham Palace as Prince Harry and Prince William look on after attending the Trooping of the Colour ceremony in 2003. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry appear at a photo call in the Swiss village of Klosters at the start of his annual skiing holiday in 2002. Getty Images
    Prince Charles and his sons William and Harry appear at a photo call in the Swiss village of Klosters at the start of his annual skiing holiday in 2002. Getty Images
  • Princes William and Harry appear with the Queen Mother during celebrations to mark her 101st birthday in 2001. Getty Images
    Princes William and Harry appear with the Queen Mother during celebrations to mark her 101st birthday in 2001. Getty Images
  • Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles follow the coffin of Princess Diana in September 1997. Getty Images
    Prince Philip, Prince William, Earl Spencer, Prince Harry and Prince Charles follow the coffin of Princess Diana in September 1997. Getty Images
  • Prince William and Prince Harry pose with Princess Diana and Prince Charles on Prince William's first day at Eton College in 1995. Getty Images
    Prince William and Prince Harry pose with Princess Diana and Prince Charles on Prince William's first day at Eton College in 1995. Getty Images
  • Princess Diana with the young princes at the piano in Kensington Palace in 1985. Getty Images
    Princess Diana with the young princes at the piano in Kensington Palace in 1985. Getty Images
  • Prince Charles and Princess Diana with their sons aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in Venice in 1985. Getty Images
    Prince Charles and Princess Diana with their sons aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in Venice in 1985. Getty Images
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026

1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years

If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.

2. E-invoicing in the UAE

Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption. 

3. More tax audits

Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks. 

4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime

Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.

5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit

There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.

6. Further transfer pricing enforcement

Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes. 

7. Limited time periods for audits

Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion. 

8. Pillar 2 implementation 

Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.

9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services

Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations. 

10. Substance and CbC reporting focus

Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity. 

Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer

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Mercer, the investment consulting arm of US services company Marsh & McLennan, expects its wealth division to at least double its assets under management (AUM) in the Middle East as wealth in the region continues to grow despite economic headwinds, a company official said.

Mercer Wealth, which globally has $160 billion in AUM, plans to boost its AUM in the region to $2-$3bn in the next 2-3 years from the present $1bn, said Yasir AbuShaban, a Dubai-based principal with Mercer Wealth.

“Within the next two to three years, we are looking at reaching $2 to $3 billion as a conservative estimate and we do see an opportunity to do so,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Mercer does not directly make investments, but allocates clients’ money they have discretion to, to professional asset managers. They also provide advice to clients.

“We have buying power. We can negotiate on their (client’s) behalf with asset managers to provide them lower fees than they otherwise would have to get on their own,” he added.

Mercer Wealth’s clients include sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and insurance companies among others.

From its office in Dubai, Mercer also looks after Africa, India and Turkey, where they also see opportunity for growth.

Wealth creation in Middle East and Africa (MEA) grew 8.5 per cent to $8.1 trillion last year from $7.5tn in 2015, higher than last year’s global average of 6 per cent and the second-highest growth in a region after Asia-Pacific which grew 9.9 per cent, according to consultancy Boston Consulting Group (BCG). In the region, where wealth grew just 1.9 per cent in 2015 compared with 2014, a pickup in oil prices has helped in wealth generation.

BCG is forecasting MEA wealth will rise to $12tn by 2021, growing at an annual average of 8 per cent.

Drivers of wealth generation in the region will be split evenly between new wealth creation and growth of performance of existing assets, according to BCG.

Another general trend in the region is clients’ looking for a comprehensive approach to investing, according to Mr AbuShaban.

“Institutional investors or some of the families are seeing a slowdown in the available capital they have to invest and in that sense they are looking at optimizing the way they manage their portfolios and making sure they are not investing haphazardly and different parts of their investment are working together,” said Mr AbuShaban.

Some clients also have a higher appetite for risk, given the low interest-rate environment that does not provide enough yield for some institutional investors. These clients are keen to invest in illiquid assets, such as private equity and infrastructure.

“What we have seen is a desire for higher returns in what has been a low-return environment specifically in various fixed income or bonds,” he said.

“In this environment, we have seen a de facto increase in the risk that clients are taking in things like illiquid investments, private equity investments, infrastructure and private debt, those kind of investments were higher illiquidity results in incrementally higher returns.”

The Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, one of the largest sovereign wealth funds, said in its 2016 report that has gradually increased its exposure in direct private equity and private credit transactions, mainly in Asian markets and especially in China and India. The authority’s private equity department focused on structured equities owing to “their defensive characteristics.”

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  • On sale: 2026
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The%20specs%20
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MATCH INFO

Uefa Champions League semi-final, first leg

Tottenham 0-1 Ajax, Tuesday

Second leg

Ajax v Tottenham, Wednesday, May 8, 11pm

Game is on BeIN Sports

'Shakuntala Devi'

Starring: Vidya Balan, Sanya Malhotra

Director: Anu Menon

Rating: Three out of five stars

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Opinions on Lebanon
Scores in brief:

Day 1

New Zealand (1st innings) 153 all out (66.3 overs) - Williamson 63, Nicholls 28, Yasir 3-54, Haris 2-11, Abbas 2-13, Hasan 2-38

Pakistan (1st innings) 59-2 (23 overs)

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Engine: 6.2-litre supercharged V8

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Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 19.6 l/100km

Price: Dh380,000

On sale: now 

Manchester City transfers:

OUTS
Pablo Zabaleta, Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Willy Caballero and Jesus Navas (all released)

INS
Ederson (Benfica) £34.7m, Bernardo Silva (Monaco) £43m 

ON THEIR WAY OUT?
Joe Hart, Eliaquim Mangala, Samir Nasri, Wilfried Bony, Fabian Delph, Nolito and Kelechi Iheanacho

ON THEIR WAY IN?
Dani Alves (Juventus), Alexis Sanchez (Arsenal)
 

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