President Sheikh Mohamed sends message of support to King Charles III

Vice President Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid also conveys his congratulations after British monarch ascended the throne

A British national flag, left, and the Emirati flag, centre, fly at half-mast during the mourning period and in honour of Queen Elizabeth II. EPA

Queen Elizabeth II dies — follow the latest news as the world mourns

The UAE’s leaders have sent messages of support to King Charles III, after he ascended the British throne.

President Sheikh Mohamed sent a cable of congratulations to King Charles on the occasion of his accession to the throne.

“Our best wishes to my dear friend His Majesty King Charles III on his accession to the throne of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. We look forward to further strengthening this exceptional friendship” the President said.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, sent a similar cable of congratulations.

King Charles was officially proclaimed Britain's monarch in a ceremony on Saturday, which for the first time was broadcast live for viewers around the globe.

The king arrived at St James’s Palace, a royal residence in central London, on Saturday with his wife Queen Consort Camilla.

He was also accompanied by his son Prince William, the new heir to the throne and bearer of his father's former title, Prince of Wales.

The Accession Council met without the new king to proclaim him sovereign — officially confirming his title, King Charles III.

Details of the queen’s funeral, to be held on September 19 at Westminster Abbey, have also been confirmed.

The UAE has ordered a three-day mourning period to mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

Al Ain City Municipality building lights up in the colour purple in tribute to Queen Elizabeth II. All photos: Abu Dhabi Media Office

The Abu Dhabi Municipality building glows in purple, which signifies royalty and was one of the colours of the queen's platinum jubilee celebrations.

Mubadala's headquarters was also awash in purple in honour of the British monarch.

The colour purple was projected on to the facade of buildings at the Abu Dhabi Global Market.

W Abu Dhabi Yas Island was decked in purple in honour of the queen.

Khalifa University also lit up in the colour purple.

Flags in the Emirates and at embassies abroad are flying at half-mast for the duration.

Leaders across the UAE and Gulf have also paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth II, who died on Thursday at the age of 96.

President Sheikh Mohamed said on Twitter: “I extend my sincere condolences to the family of Queen Elizabeth II and the people of the UK.

“Her Majesty was a close friend of the UAE and a beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country.”

In the Gulf, Sheikh Tamim, Emir of Qatar, said: “Our sincere condolences to the Royal Family and the British people over the death of Queen Elizabeth II, which with her loss the world has lost a great human symbol.”

A well-wisher kisses the hand of King Charles III outside Buckingham Palace after the death on Thursday of Queen Elizabeth II. King Charles, who spent much of his 73 years preparing for the role, on Friday planned to meet the prime minister and address a nation grieving the only British monarch most of the world had known. He takes the throne in an era of uncertainty for his country and the monarchy itself. AP

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla arriving at Buckingham Palace, London, after travelling from Balmoral following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. PA

King Charles and the queen consort outside Buckingham Palace. PA

King Charles and the queen consort view tributes left outside Buckingham Palace, London, after the death of Queen Elizabeth on Thursday. PA

King Charles greets well-wishers outside Buckingham Palace. AP

King Charles and the queen consort read messages left by mourners at Buckingham Palace in London. Queen Elizabeth II, Britain's longest-reigning monarch and a rock of stability through much of a turbulent century, died on Thursday, after 70 years on the throne. She was 96. AP

King Charles greets well-wishers at Buckingham Palace after the death on Thursday of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II. AP

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla view tributes left outside Buckingham Palace after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. PA

Outside Buckingham Palace on the first day of public mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. The queen's death at the age of 96 marks the start of a tumultuous 10 days for the UK in which a queen is buried, a nation will mourn its longest-reigning monarch, and a new king is proclaimed. Bloomberg

King Charles during a walkabout to view tributes left outside Buckingham Palace. PA

King Charles outside Buckingham Palace on Friday. AP

King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla surrounded by crowds of well-wishers in London. Reuters

The car carrying King Charles and the queen consort arrives at Buckingham Palace with the Union Flag at half mast. Getty Images

People gather at the Queen Victoria Memorial opposite Buckingham Palace on Thursday night after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. Reuters

People gather at the Queen Victoria Memorial opposite Buckingham Palace after the death of Queen Elizabeth II. PA

Mourners gather outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday night. PA

Tributes and candles left outside Buckingham Palace in London after the queen's death was announced. PA

Police officers stand among floral tributes left outside Buckingham Palace. PA

A member of the royal household staff posts a notice on the gates of Buckingham Palace announcing the death of Queen Elizabeth. AFP

Royal follower John Loughrey, wearing a Union Jack hat, photographs the official announcement of the queen's death. EPA

Mourners outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters

A man with a Union flag umbrella shelters from the rain near the Queen Victoria Memorial. AFP

Mourners on the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace. PA

The crowds outside Buckingham Palace on Thursday night. PA

Mourners at the vigil outside Buckingham Palace. PA

Mourners at the vigil outside Buckingham Palace. PA

Londoners walk down The Mall that leads to Buckingham Palace on Thursday night. PA

Taxis lined up along The Mall leading to Buckingham Palace in London after the announcement of the death of Queen Elizabeth. PA

The advertising screens in Piccadilly Circus in London mark the death of the queen. Getty

An image of Queen Elizabeth II is displayed on The BT Tower in London. Getty

A bus stop on Tottenham Court road in London displays an image of the queen. Getty

Mourners gather outside Windsor Castle, Berkshire. PA

Flowers are left under the Queen Victoria statue outside Windsor Castle. PA

Candles and flowers form a makeshift memorial at the Queen Victoria statue outside Windsor Castle. PA

People lay floral tributes outside Balmoral Castle, Scotland, on Thursday night. EPA

People lay floral tributes outside Balmoral Castle, Scotland, Britain, 08 September 2022. EPA

People pay their respects at the gate of Sandringham House in Norfolk. PA

People pay their respects at the gate of Sandringham House in Norfolk. PA

In Oman, Sultan Haitham expressed his “sincere condolences and sincere sympathy to His Majesty, his family and the British people”.

This year the queen celebrated her platinum jubilee and made history as the only British monarch to reach the 70-year milestone.

Her ties with the UAE date back decades.

On February 24, 1979, the royal yacht Britannia carried Queen Elizabeth on her first state visit to the UAE, a few years after the union was formed in December 1971.

Sheikh Zayed then paid a state visit to Britain in 1989, and two decades later the queen returned to the UAE in 2010.

More recently, the late President Sheikh Khalifa visited her majesty in the UK in 2013.