The Mawlay experience at Cairo's Abdeen Palace - in pictures
Guests follow the red carpet up the stairs to the royal dining hall at Abdeen Palace in Cairo as part of the Mawlay experience. All photos: Nada El Sawy / The National
Abdeen Palace was built by Khedive Ismail, ruler of Egypt from 1863 to 1879. It was part of his ambitious plan to make Cairo 'the Paris of the East'
The Abdeen Palace entryway
Founder Dina El Sabban started Mawlay in 2021 at the National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation
The Abdeen Palace tour takes place after iftar or before suhoor
Mosaic tiling in a sitting room in Queen Nazli's wing
A delicately designed mosaic table with images of Europe
The ceiling of the throne room
The royal theatre
Mawlay guests taking selfies inside the palace
The iftar menu includes a generous selection of appetisers, main dishes and desserts
The appetisers include hot and cold mezze
Oriental desserts
The royal dining room with live entertainment
Abdeen Palace lit up post-iftar with the Mawlay name
