Emiratis celebrate Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed's birthday

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during his schooling years in Al Ain. Courtesy: Al-Ittihad newspaper.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed listens to UAE officers undergoing a training session in Canjuers, southern France, before going to Kosovo to join Nato-led forces in 1999. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid during the closing ceremony of the equestrian World Endurance Championship in Abu Dhabi in December 1998. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed visits Rajghat, the memorial for Mahatama Gandhi, in New Delhi in January 2017. AFP

Pope Francis with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed as they attend a farewell ceremony at the Abu Dhabi presidential airport in February 2019. EPA

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid tour Louvre Abu Dhabi in September 2017, two months before the museum opened. Ryan Carter/Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

US President Donald Trump shakes hands with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed during a meeting in the Oval Office in May 2017. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed with then US President Barack Obama during a summit meeting at Camp David in May 2015. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed with then US President George W Bush at Camp David in June 2008. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed with Mr Bush during the US President's state visit in January 2008. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed welcomes Britain's Prime Minister Tony Blair in 2006. Reuters

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed reviews an honour guard with Jordan's King Abdullah II in 2002. WAM

French President Jacques Chirac receives Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed at the Elysee Palace in Paris. AFP

Sheikh Mohamed with his father, Sheikh Zayed, during a military parade at Idex 2003 in Abu Dhabi. AFP Photo

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed salutes during the opening of the Dubai 2001 Airshow. AFP

Emiratis have taken to Twitter to wish Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed happy birthday.

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces turns 58 today.

Born on March 11, 1961 in Al Ain, Sheikh Mohamed is the third son of the UAE's late founding father Sheikh Zayed.

After finishing his schooling in the Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed attended the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, graduating in 1979.

He later oversaw the advance of UAE forces into Kuwait against the Iraqi occupation in 1991, as part of the Peninsula Shield Force, the military arm of the GCC.

He is known for being down-to-earth and approachable, and stories about him regularly surface on social media.

On one ocassion, he spotted a young girl crying on the pavement outside an Abu Dhabi school.

After parking his car, he offered to give her a lift home. The girl said no as she had been told not to get into a vehicle with strangers, so he waited with her on the pavement until her father arrived.

The story went viral on social media after Sheikh Mohamed was pictured sitting with the girl by one of her teachers.

Many paid tribute to him on Twitter to wish him well.

"We wish you a long life, Abu Khalid"

"God preserve you for the nation. Happy Birthday"

"Every year we are stronger and happier with you. Happy Birthday Abu Khalid"

"Zayed's legacy lives on, through Abu Khalid's deeds"

Companies also shared their congratulations.