• Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Abu Dhabi during a state visit to the Gulf on February 25, 1979. Getty
    Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Abu Dhabi during a state visit to the Gulf on February 25, 1979. Getty
  • The UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the queen arrive for the inauguration of Le Meridien Abu Dhabi in 1979. Photo: Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
    The UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the queen arrive for the inauguration of Le Meridien Abu Dhabi in 1979. Photo: Le Meridien Abu Dhabi
  • The queen during her visit to the UAE in 1979. Photo: Ramesh Shukla
    The queen during her visit to the UAE in 1979. Photo: Ramesh Shukla
  • The queen appoints Sheikh Rashid, then Ruler of Dubai, a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, during her tour of the Gulf states, in Abu Dhabi in February 1979. Getty
    The queen appoints Sheikh Rashid, then Ruler of Dubai, a Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George, during her tour of the Gulf states, in Abu Dhabi in February 1979. Getty
  • The queen sits with Sheikh Rashid on the Dubai Ruler's new dhow, as they are taken on a sightseeing tour of the emirate on February 26, 1979. AP
    The queen sits with Sheikh Rashid on the Dubai Ruler's new dhow, as they are taken on a sightseeing tour of the emirate on February 26, 1979. AP
  • The queen, Sheikh Zayed and Prince Philip sit before lunch at the Hilton Hotel in Abu Dhabi, during the UK royals' tour of the Gulf states in February 1979. Getty
    The queen, Sheikh Zayed and Prince Philip sit before lunch at the Hilton Hotel in Abu Dhabi, during the UK royals' tour of the Gulf states in February 1979. Getty
  • Yemeni councillor Sayyid Abubakr bin Shaikh Alkaff kneels before Queen Elizabeth to be knighted during her visit to Aden on April 29, 1954. AFP
    Yemeni councillor Sayyid Abubakr bin Shaikh Alkaff kneels before Queen Elizabeth to be knighted during her visit to Aden on April 29, 1954. AFP
  • The queen with Sheikh Khalifa, who was then the UAE's President, at Mushrif Palace on November 25, 2010 in Abu Dhabi. Getty
    The queen with Sheikh Khalifa, who was then the UAE's President, at Mushrif Palace on November 25, 2010 in Abu Dhabi. Getty
  • The queen was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during her visit to Abu Dhabi in 2010. Getty
    The queen was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during her visit to Abu Dhabi in 2010. Getty
  • The queen and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at Abu Dhabi airport on November 24, 2010. Getty
    The queen and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at Abu Dhabi airport on November 24, 2010. Getty
  • The queen with the emir of Bahrain at a horse and camel race meeting in 1979. Getty
    The queen with the emir of Bahrain at a horse and camel race meeting in 1979. Getty
  • Queen Elizabeth eats with her hands in the desert with King Hassan during her visit to Morocco on October 27, 1980. Getty
    Queen Elizabeth eats with her hands in the desert with King Hassan during her visit to Morocco on October 27, 1980. Getty
  • The queen attends the races during her visit to Saudi Arabia in February 1979. Getty
    The queen attends the races during her visit to Saudi Arabia in February 1979. Getty
  • King Faisal II of Iraq and the queen leave Victoria Station in London for Buckingham Palace, in July 1956. Getty
    King Faisal II of Iraq and the queen leave Victoria Station in London for Buckingham Palace, in July 1956. Getty
  • The queen in Kuwait during her tour of the Gulf in 1979. Getty
    The queen in Kuwait during her tour of the Gulf in 1979. Getty
  • The queen drives through Tunis with Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba during a state visit in October 1980. Getty
    The queen drives through Tunis with Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba during a state visit in October 1980. Getty
  • The queen walks towards her plane with Sultan Qaboos of Oman, before she and Prince Philip leave Muscat after a five-day state visit to the Gulf region. Getty
    The queen walks towards her plane with Sultan Qaboos of Oman, before she and Prince Philip leave Muscat after a five-day state visit to the Gulf region. Getty
  • The queen walks in Muscat. Getty
    The queen walks in Muscat. Getty
  • The queen and Prince Philip during a visit to Qatar in February 1979. Getty
    The queen and Prince Philip during a visit to Qatar in February 1979. Getty
  • The queen with the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi of Iran during a banquet in Tehran on March 2, 1961. AP
    The queen with the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi of Iran during a banquet in Tehran on March 2, 1961. AP
  • Queen Noor of Jordan, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and King Hussein of Jordan after the British royals' arrival in the country in 1984. Getty
    Queen Noor of Jordan, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and King Hussein of Jordan after the British royals' arrival in the country in 1984. Getty
  • The queen alongside former Algerian President Chadli Bendjedid, inspect a guard of honour on her arrival in Algiers for a three-day state visit in October 1980. Getty
    The queen alongside former Algerian President Chadli Bendjedid, inspect a guard of honour on her arrival in Algiers for a three-day state visit in October 1980. Getty
  • The queen and Prince Philip with King Idris of Libya at the Royal Palace in Tobruk in May 1954. AP
    The queen and Prince Philip with King Idris of Libya at the Royal Palace in Tobruk in May 1954. AP

UAE leaders congratulate Queen Elizabeth II on her platinum jubilee


  • English
  • Arabic

President Sheikh Khalifa sent a message of congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II on the 70th anniversary of her accession to the throne.

The queen, who is the longest-reigning sovereign in the world, celebrated her platinum jubilee on Sunday.

She overtook her great-great grandmother Queen Victoria as Britain’s longest reigning monarch in September 2015, passing her ancestor’s 63 years and 216 days.

“I would like to express my thanks to you all for your support. I remain eternally grateful for, and humbled by, the loyalty and affection that you continue to give me," the queen, 95, said in the written message.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, also sent similar messages of congratulations to the queen.

Prince William, the queen's grandson and second in line to the throne, will visit the Emirates this week for his first official trip.

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Expo 2020 Dubai to celebrate the UK's day of celebrations at the world's fair on Thursday, February 10.

The visit by the prince aims to build on the strong bond between the UK and UAE.

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Engine: 1.5-litre

 

Transmission: 6-speed automatic

 

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Torque: 147Nm 

 

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Tranquillity Base Hotel Casino (Domino) 

 

Tonight's Chat on The National

Tonight's Chat is a series of online conversations on The National. The series features a diverse range of celebrities, politicians and business leaders from around the Arab world.

Tonight’s Chat host Ricardo Karam is a renowned author and broadcaster who has previously interviewed Bill Gates, Carlos Ghosn, Andre Agassi and the late Zaha Hadid, among others.

Intellectually curious and thought-provoking, Tonight’s Chat moves the conversation forward.

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The specs: 2018 Maserati Levante S

Price, base / as tested: Dh409,000 / Dh467,000

Engine: 3.0-litre V6

Transmission: Eight-speed automatic

Power: 430hp @ 5,750rpm

Torque: 580Nm @ 4,500rpm

Fuel economy, combined: 10.9L / 100km

Safety 'top priority' for rival hyperloop company

The chief operating officer of Hyperloop Transportation Technologies, Andres de Leon, said his company's hyperloop technology is “ready” and safe.

He said the company prioritised safety throughout its development and, last year, Munich Re, one of the world's largest reinsurance companies, announced it was ready to insure their technology.

“Our levitation, propulsion, and vacuum technology have all been developed [...] over several decades and have been deployed and tested at full scale,” he said in a statement to The National.

“Only once the system has been certified and approved will it move people,” he said.

HyperloopTT has begun designing and engineering processes for its Abu Dhabi projects and hopes to break ground soon. 

With no delivery date yet announced, Mr de Leon said timelines had to be considered carefully, as government approval, permits, and regulations could create necessary delays.

Racecard

6.30pm: The Madjani Stakes (PA) Group 3 Dh175,000 (Dirt) 1,900m

7.05pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,400m

7.40pm: Maiden (TB) Dh165,000 (D) 1,600m

8.15pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,200m

8.50pm: Dubai Creek Mile (TB) Listed Dh265,000 (D) 1,600m

9.25pm: Handicap (TB) Dh190,000 (D) 1,600m

The National selections

6.30pm: Chaddad

7.05pm: Down On Da Bayou

7.40pm: Mass Media

8.15pm: Rafal

8.50pm: Yulong Warrior

9.25pm: Chiefdom

Updated: February 21, 2022, 5:20 AM