It is a relationship forged 40 years ago on Britain’s Salisbury Plain and the wilds of the Brecon Beacons.
As young men, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and the King of Malaysia, Sultan Abdullah Ahmad Shah, met as officer cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, Surrey.
As this picture shows, the pair endured all the rigours of the exhaustive training regime as well as the odd moment of relaxation and levity.
Dressed in British combat fatigues, Sheikh Mohamed beams at the camera.
Sitting back on his rucksack or bergen, meanwhile, the Sultan of Pahang, who was officially installed as Malaysia's 16th king on Tuesday, looks on a little more tentatively.
On Tuesday, Sheikh Mohamed offered his congratulations to the new King of Malaysia after attending his coronation in Kuala Lumpur.
The two friends have retained their bond after completing their time at the college passing out at the military college between 1979 and 1980.
Sheikh Mohamed was among the dignitaries who turned for a coronation steeped in tradition in the Malaysian capital on July 30.
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Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends the coronation ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces (3rd L) speaks with Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah during the inauguration of King Abdullah Ahmad Shah at Istana Negara, the national palace of Malaysia. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - July 30, 2019: HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R) greets a guest during the inauguration of HM King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Malaysia (not shown), at Istana Negara, the National Palace of Malaysia. ( Rashed Al Mansoori / Ministry of Presidential Affairs ) --- -
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (C) attends the inauguration of HM King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Malaysia (not shown), at Istana Negara, the National Palace of Malaysia. Ministry of Presidential Affairs -- -
HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (R) speaks with HM King Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah of Malaysia (L), during the King's inauguration ceremony, at Istana Negara, the National Palace of Malaysia. Ministry of Presidential Affairs --- -
Malaysia's King Abdullah Riayatuddin Al Mustafa Billah Shah poses for a photo with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, left, and Brunei's Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah, right, after his royal coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. -
Sheikh Mohamed prays at the coronation of Malaysia's new king Sultan Abdullah. -
Sheikh Mohamed said he was pleased to attend the ceremony of a dear friend. -
Sheikh Mohamed, on Twitter, wished him success in serving his country and his people. -
Malaysia's King Abdullah talks to Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed. AFP -
King Abdullah and Queen Tunku arrive for his royal coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. -
Malaysian honour guards saluting during an event to mark the coronation of Malaysia's new king. EPA -
King Abdullah , holding a keris, a traditional Malay dagger, on the throne during his coronation at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. EPA -
Malaysia's new King Sultan Abdullah and Queen Tunku Azizah, center right, inspect the royal guard. Malaysia Information Ministry via AP -
Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah and Queen Tunku sit on the throne at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Information Ministry via AP -
Malaysia's King Sultan Abdullah and Queen Tunku sit on the throne at the National Palace in Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia Information Ministry via AP -
Malaysia's new king and queen. Malaysia Information Ministry via AP -
Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces meets with Mahathir Bin Mohamad, Prime Minister of Malaysia, at the Prime Minister’s office. Mohammed Al Hammadi / Ministry of Presidential Affairs
The royal appointment was the second meeting between King Abdullah and Sheikh Mohamed in as many months.
The two leaders met at Qasr Al Watan in Abu Dhabi in June to discuss efforts to increase trade between the UAE and Malaysia.
The high-level talks focused on investment and development opportunities as well as broader regional issues.
