Britons celebrate the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on board the QE2 in 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
Britons celebrate the royal wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on board the QE2 in 2020. Pawan Singh / The National
The famous ocean liner is enjoying a second life as a Dubai hotel. Pawan Singh / The National
The famous ocean liner is enjoying a second life as a Dubai hotel. Pawan Singh / The National
Inside the QE2. Pawan Singh / The National
Inside the QE2. Pawan Singh / The National
Flowers placed next to a bust of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II following the monarch's death in September 2022. Andrew Scott / The National
Flowers placed next to a bust of Britain's Queen Elizabeth II following the monarch's death in September 2022. Andrew Scott / The National
Mourners watch Queen Elizabeth's funeral on television in the Golden Lion pub on board the QE2. Antonie Robertson / The National
Mourners watch Queen Elizabeth's funeral on television in the Golden Lion pub on board the QE2. Antonie Robertson / The National
Ferghal Purcell, general manager of the QE2, is inviting people on board to watch the coronation of King Charles on Saturday, May 6. Antonie Robertson / The National
Ferghal Purcell, general manager of the QE2, is inviting people on board to watch the coronation of King Charles on Saturday, May 6. Antonie Robertson / The National

UAE

Dubai's 'QE2' to stage live screening of King Charles's coronation

Several screens will show historic British event on Saturday, May 6

Nick Webster
Nick Webster

April 18, 2023

  • English
  • Arabic

The coronation of Britain's King Charles III is to be screened live on Dubai's Queen Elizabeth II floating hotel anchored at Port Rashid on Saturday, May 6.

It will be the third historic royal event in British history to draw a crowd on board the ocean liner, now retired in Dubai.

Live screening of King Charles’s coronation follows the events staged on the luxury vessel to mark the platinum jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in May, followed by her funeral procession four months later.

Large screens will be set up inside the ship’s ballroom and other dining venues to allow guests to watch the coronation day’s events.

"We're thrilled to be able to offer our guests the chance to watch this historic moment live," said Ferghal Purcell, general manager of the QE2.

"We believe that this will be a once-in-a-lifetime event and we wanted to create a special atmosphere for our guests to enjoy it in."

The Queen's Room, one of the ship's grandest spaces, will serve a British-themed buffet while a three-course buffet will be offered at the Queen’s Grill.

The ship’s Golden Lion pub, the oldest in Dubai, will serve traditional British dishes while broadcasting the ceremony on several screens.

The coronation service at Westminster Abbey conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby will begin at 2pm UAE time and be attended by about 2,000 guests from around the world.

King Charles’s procession will carry the monarch and his wife, Queen Consort Camilla, from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Abbey inside the diamond jubilee stage coach.

The royal couple will then travel back via Parliament Square in the 260-year-old gold state coach, along Whitehall, around Trafalgar Square, through Admiralty Arch and down The Mall back to Buckingham Palace.

For the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II on September 19, crowds filled the vessel's dining rooms and corridors to take in a significant moment in history, with similar numbers expected to visit the QE2 for next month's momentous coronation.

“We are delighted to be supporting the Queen Elizabeth II royal event,” said Visit Britain’s interim deputy director Carol Maddison.

“As the world turns its attention to the historic coronation, we’ve got a fantastic opportunity to highlight Great Britain’s world-renowned attractions, culture and heritage.

“Our latest research shows the draw of Britain’s history and heritage in driving inbound tourism and our renowned heritage, royal legacy and pomp and pageantry are proven tourism draws.”

UK prepares for royal coronation - in pictures

Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty
Royal enthusiasts at their impromptu campsite on The Mall in London, where they await the May 6 coronation procession of King Charles III. Getty
Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP
Police officers patrol near Westminster Abbey as security is heightened for the coronation. AFP
A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP
A telephone box in the village of Compton, Surrey, decorated with the ears, nose and crown of King Charles. AFP
A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP
A royal fan takes a break after booking his spot on the coronation route in London. AP
Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP
Town crier Tony Appleton takes the train into central London. AFP
The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP
The drum major's state coat, adorned with the new CR III cypher, to be worn during the coronation. AFP
Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP
Decorations are put up outside Number 10 Downing Street in London. AP
A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
A royal fan gets into the spirit of the coronation on the Mall outside Buckingham Palace. Reuters
Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty
Yeoman of the Guard, the British sovereign's bodyguards, prepare to board a bus in London. Getty
The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters
The UK's military held a full dress rehearsal for the coronation ceremony of King Charles III on Tuesday night. Reuters
A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters
A royal fan sleeps at The Mall outside Buckingham Palace as the countdown to the coronation continues. Reuters
Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA
Big Ben, in central London, is lit up during a rehearsal for the ceremony. PA
An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP
An art installation in London depicts St Edward's Crown. AP
Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters
Madame Tussauds in Sydney, Australia, unveils a waxwork figure of King Charles, alongside figures of Prince William and his wife Kate. Reuters
Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA
Royalists have slept out on The Mall in London for days for the best view of the ceremony. EPA
A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP
A knitted coronation-themed postbox topper in Isleworth, London. AP
Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters
Tailor William Skinner with a ceremonial uniform on Savile Row, London, before the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla, on May 6. Reuters
Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP
Caroline de Guitaut, deputy surveyor of the King's Works of Art, adjusts the imperial mantle, a part of the coronation vestments, in the Throne Room at Buckingham Palace. AFP
A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP
A banner celebrating the coronation at Kings Cross Station in London. AP
Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP
Upholsterer Beatrice Ekwalla works on restoring a throne chair for the coronation at the Marlborough House workshops in London. AFP
Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA
Royal fan Margaret Tyler poses for a portrait in the living room of her home in north London. EPA
Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA
Parliament Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle with the Speaker's State Coach. PA
Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP
Violinist Adrianna Forbes-Dorant, 17, takes part in a rehearsal with the Brixton Chamber Orchestra for coronation performances in London. AP
British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty
British Army soldiers rehearse at RAF Odiham for a coronation parade. Getty
Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
Shoppers browse souvenirs for the coronation of King Charles III outside the Houses of Parliament in London. Reuters
Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA
Temporary stands are constructed on The Mall outside Buckingham Palace, central London. PA
Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP
Members of the military pass by Westminster Abbey in central London during a night-time rehearsal for the coronation. AP
Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters
Britain's Prince Edward, the Duke of Edinburgh, attends a Coronation Big Lunch at Westminster Abbey. Reuters
The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA
The London Scottish Band in Burlington Arcade, London, at an unveiling of a celebratory installation to mark the coronation. PA
A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images
A crown is placed on top of a flagpole on The Mall in London. Getty Images
The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP
The official 'Crowning of the King' souvenir programme sits on a shop shelf in central London. AFP
Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP
Workers prepare the balcony of Buckingham Palace for the big event. AFP
Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP
Ardent monarchist Anita Atkinson sits among her 13,283 pieces of royal memorabilia at her Weardale farm near Bishop Auckland. AFP
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images
Members of the Household Cavalry take part in a rehearsal for the coronation at Buckingham Palace. Getty Images
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA
King Charles and Queen Consort Camilla will travel to the coronation in the modern Diamond Jubilee State Coach and return in the Gold State Coach, pictured. PA
A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP
A potter works on chinaware produced for the coronation at a factory in Stoke-on-Trent. AFP
The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP
The Coronation Chair, also known as St Edward's Chair or King Edward's Chair, at Westminster Abbey in London. AFP
King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters
King Charles is presented with the first struck £5 coronation coin by Royal Mint chief executive Anne Jessopp and director Rebecca Morgan at Windsor Castle. Reuters
The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters
The first struck £5 coronation coin. Reuters
A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA
A member of staff at Fudge Kitchen puts up bunting in Windsor. PA
A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA
A crown made by British milliner Justin Smith, created using 319 Scrabble tiles to mark the board game's 75th anniversary and the coronation. PA
People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters
People browse a souvenir kiosk in London. Reuters
The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
The new commemorative 50p coin, part of the coronation coin collection. PA
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Lt Gen Erik Petersen, deputy chief of programs, US Army, has argued it took a “three decade holiday” on modernising tanks. 

“There clearly remains a significant armoured heavy ground manoeuvre threat in this world and maintaining a world class armoured force is absolutely vital,” the general said in London last week.

“We are developing next generation capabilities to compete with and deter adversaries to prevent opportunism or miscalculation, and, if necessary, defeat any foe decisively.”

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Gifts exchanged
  • King Charles - replica of President Eisenhower Sword
  • Queen Camilla -  Tiffany & Co vintage 18-carat gold, diamond and ruby flower brooch
  • Donald Trump - hand-bound leather book with Declaration of Independence
  • Melania Trump - personalised Anya Hindmarch handbag

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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The specs

Engine: 4.0-litre V8

Power: 503hp at 6,000rpm

Torque: 685Nm at 2,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Price: from Dh850,000

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs: 2018 Nissan Altima


Price, base / as tested: Dh78,000 / Dh97,650

Engine: 2.5-litre in-line four-cylinder

Power: 182hp @ 6,000rpm

Torque: 244Nm @ 4,000rpm

Transmission: Continuously variable tranmission

Fuel consumption, combined: 7.6L / 100km

Updated: April 18, 2023, 5:40 AM
DubaiQueen Elizabeth IIKing Charles III