The majestic hall at Qasr Al Watan Palace in Abu Dhabi buzzed with protocol staff neatly adjusting white chairs around a U-shaped table.
For nearly an hour, the room was filled with the sound of footsteps, shifting seats, rustling papers and the click of cameras.
Then, silence.
US President Donald Trump entered the room slowly, accompanied by Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi. Everyone stood. A woman discreetly moved Mr Trump's chair, and he sat.
“Thank you for the hospitality,” he said, referring to Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the UAE.
It was his final hour before leaving the Gulf and he was departing with a bag packed full of mega-deals and a long-term commitment to the strategic region.
A day after he was bestowed with the Order of Zayed, a medal of pure gold and the UAE’s highest civilian honour, it was time for faith and oil.
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President Sheikh Mohamed bids farewell to US President Donald Trump. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed waves as Mr Trump's aircraft leaves the Presidential Airport. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential -
Mr Trump aboard Air Force One. Ismaeel Al Zaher / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Trump and senior officials visit the Abrahamic Family House in Abu Dhabi. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office -
Mr Trump at the Abrahamic Family House. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office -
Mr Trump at the Abrahamic Family House. Photo: Abu Dhabi Media Office -
Mr Trump attends the UAE-US Business Dialogue alongside Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump receives a small bottle of the UAE's Murban crude oil at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump and Sheikh Khaled at the UAE-US Business Dialogue. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
The UAE-US Business Dialogue. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump at the UAE-US Business Dialogue. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump and Sheikh Khaled at Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
President of the United States of America Donald Trump attends the UAE-US Business Dialogue at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi during his tour of the Middle East. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
UAE President Sheikh Mohamed watches as US President Donald Trump signs the guest book at Qasr Al Watan, in Abu Dhabi. UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump are given a tour by Sultan Al Neyadi, UAE astronaut and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, of an exhibition titled Guided by the Stars at the presidential palace. UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Khaled and Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi and UAE National Security Adviser, attend the reception for Mr Trump at Qasr Al Watan. UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Trump greets Jensen Huang, president and chief executive of Nvidia, at Qasr Al Watan as Sheikh Mohamed watches. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump view a model of the UAE-US AI Cluster, during the launch ceremony at Qasr Al Watan. Photo: UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed presents the Order of Zayed to Mr Trump during the state reception at Qasr Al Watan. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed speaks with Mr Trump at Qasr Al Watan. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump stand for the national anthems at Qasr Al Watan. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump stand for the national anthems. Hamad Al Kaabi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump view an exhibition titled ‘Guided By the Stars’ at Qasr Al Watan, and speak with UAE astronaut and Minister of State for Youth Affairs, Dr Sultan Al Neyadi. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
The ceremony at Qasr Al Watan is attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court; Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence; and Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Also standing for the national anthems at Qasr Al Watan are Mohamed Al Mazrouei, Minister of State for Defence Affairs; Dr Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of State for Foreign Trade; Mohamed Al Suwaidi, Minister of Investment; Sarah Al Amiri, Minister of Education; Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc; Suhail Al Mazrouei, Minister of Energy and Infrastructure; Mohamed Al Hussaini, Minister of State for Financial Affairs; Ali Al Shamsi, Secretary General of the Supreme Council for National Security; and Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and managing director and group chief executive of Mubadala Investment Company. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Heritage band musicians perform as Mr Trump arrives at Qasr Al Watan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
Children wave UAE and US flags at Qasr Al Watan. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
President Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump arrive at Qasr Al Watan. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed meets Mr Trump after his arrival at the Presidential Airport in Abu Dhabi. Abdulla Al Neyadi / UAE Presidential Court -
Sheikh Mohamed and Mr Trump in discussion at the Presidential Airport. Ryan Carter / UAE Presidential Court -
Mr Trump arrives in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Mr Trump arrives in Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Traditional drummers greet the US President on his arrival. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
A participant in the ceremony welcoming Mr Trump to Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Participants in the welcoming ceremony for Mr Trump. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Participants help to welcome Mr Trump to Abu Dhabi. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Trump. Chris Whiteoak / The National -
UAE Air Force fighter jets accompany Air Force One, carrying Mr Trump, as it approaches Abu Dhabi. Reuters
He was given a capsule of locally produced oil by the head of the UAE's Adnoc. “The highest quality oil there is on the planet and they only gave me a drop of it. So, I’m not thrilled,” Mr Trump joked.
Dr Sultan Al Jaber, managing director and group chief executive of Adnoc, explained to Mr Trump that the oil was Murban, one of the highest-quality crudes.
Co-operation over conflict
In the Abrahamic Family House, a symbol of interfaith acceptance and understanding, he signed the visitors' book, saying it represents the tolerance the world desperately needs.
"I see in this house the promise for our own future if humanity chooses co-operation over conflict, friendship over enmity, prosperity over poverty and hope over despair," he wrote.
At Zayed International Airport later in the afternoon, the mood shifted again. Mr Trump waved goodbye with a clenched fist from the top of the stairs to Air Force One, ending his four-day Gulf tour with a blend of symbolism, business and pageantry.
And with that goodbye, the historic Gulf tour was over: three countries, trillions pledged and one capsule of premium crude in his pocket.
