• Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, left, listens to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during his visit to Dubai. Saudi Royal Palace / AFP Photo
    Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz, left, listens to Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during his visit to Dubai. Saudi Royal Palace / AFP Photo
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, exchange gifts with Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican in September. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, exchange gifts with Pope Francis during his visit to the Vatican in September. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid inaugurates the new Dubai Canal. Courtesy Dubai Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid inaugurates the new Dubai Canal. Courtesy Dubai Media Office
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, right, witness the exchange of several memorandum of understandings, at Hyderabad House, India in February. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi, right, witness the exchange of several memorandum of understandings, at Hyderabad House, India in February. Philip Cheung / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • From left to right, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend a Commemoration Day ceremony, at Wahat Al Karama. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    From left to right, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Humaid bin Rashid, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ajman, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Sheikh Hamad bin Mohamed Al Sharqi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Fujairah, and Sheikh Saud bin Saqr Al Qasimi, UAE Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Ras Al Khaimah, attend a Commemoration Day ceremony, at Wahat Al Karama. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Image taken from Twitter. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, enjoy at trip on the London Underground in July. Posted by Sheikh Hamdan on 18 July 2016
    Image taken from Twitter. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohamed, Crown Prince of Dubai, enjoy at trip on the London Underground in July. Posted by Sheikh Hamdan on 18 July 2016
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visits Masdar, with Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid in August. WAM
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visits Masdar, with Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid in August. WAM
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reveals the logo for Expo 2020 in March. Courtesy Dubai Government Media Office
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid reveals the logo for Expo 2020 in March. Courtesy Dubai Government Media Office
  • Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and his son Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif attend National Day celebrations at Adnec. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior and his son Sheikh Ahmed bin Saif attend National Day celebrations at Adnec. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, centre, speaks with Zayed Al Thani School students on Flag Day. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, centre, speaks with Zayed Al Thani School students on Flag Day. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Ruler’s Representative of the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, centre left, greets Britain’s Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, during the launch of the UK-UAE Year of Culture at Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain. Seen here with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, right, and Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed, left. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Tahnoon bin Mohamed, Ruler’s Representative of the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi, centre left, greets Britain’s Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales, during the launch of the UK-UAE Year of Culture at Al Jahili Fort in Al Ain. Seen here with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, right, and Sheikh Saif bin Mohammed, left. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed applaud a presentation during the official opening of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Headquarters. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed and HH Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed applaud a presentation during the official opening of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company Headquarters. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visits Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, to offer condolences on the passing of his grandfather, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad in October. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid visits Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Emir of Qatar, to offer condolences on the passing of his grandfather, Sheikh Khalifa bin Hamad in October. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, tours the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site with French president Francois Hollande in December. Christopher Pike / The National
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, tours the Louvre Abu Dhabi construction site with French president Francois Hollande in December. Christopher Pike / The National
  • Samuel L Jackson receives the Lifetime Achievement award from Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed at the Opening Night Gala during day one of the 13th annual Dubai International Film Festival. Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images for DIFF
    Samuel L Jackson receives the Lifetime Achievement award from Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed at the Opening Night Gala during day one of the 13th annual Dubai International Film Festival. Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images for DIFF
  • Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, right, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, second right, and Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah, left, attend a reception ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of Ajman, right, Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, second right, and Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Crown Prince of Sharjah, left, attend a reception ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi attend a reception at Shams Tower ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed, Ruler’s Representative in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi attend a reception at Shams Tower ahead of the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid speaks to students at the Fatima bint Mubarak School in Ras Al Khaimah. WAM
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid speaks to students at the Fatima bint Mubarak School in Ras Al Khaimah. WAM
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, right, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, right, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, left, at the Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed speaks with US president Barack Obama during the GCC-US Summit in Riyadh in April. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed speaks with US president Barack Obama during the GCC-US Summit in Riyadh in April. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, third left, offers condolences to the family of Abdullah Juma Hassan Al Shamsi who died while serving with the UAE Armed Forces in Yemen. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, third left, offers condolences to the family of Abdullah Juma Hassan Al Shamsi who died while serving with the UAE Armed Forces in Yemen. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • UAE leaders attend the Mother of the Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi in March. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    UAE leaders attend the Mother of the Nation Festival in Abu Dhabi in March. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed greets a member of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation during a Sea Palace barza in January. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed greets a member of the UAE Disabled Sports Federation during a Sea Palace barza in January. Rashed Al Mansoori / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed presents a 2015-2016 Abu Dhabi Award to Deborah Henley, who received the award on behalf of her late mother Susan Hillyard, at Emirates Palace. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed presents a 2015-2016 Abu Dhabi Award to Deborah Henley, who received the award on behalf of her late mother Susan Hillyard, at Emirates Palace. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon, Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, greets Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed, during a mass wedding reception at the Armed Forces Officers Club. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative, is seen in the background. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Sultan bin Tahnoon, Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, greets Sheikh Diab bin Mohammed bin Zayed, during a mass wedding reception at the Armed Forces Officers Club. Sheikh Saeed bin Zayed, Abu Dhabi Ruler’s Representative, is seen in the background. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, left, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, second left, and Sheikh Issa bin Zayed, right, attend the 45th UAE National Day celebrations. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed, Chairman of the Crown Prince Court of Abu Dhabi and Abu Dhabi Executive Council Member, left, Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, second left, and Sheikh Issa bin Zayed, right, attend the 45th UAE National Day celebrations. Mohamed Al Hammadi / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, attend the 45th UAE National Day celebrations at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
    Lt Gen Sheikh Saif bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and Sheikh Nahyan bin Zayed, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan Charitable and Humanitarian Foundation, attend the 45th UAE National Day celebrations at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre. Ryan Carter / Crown Prince Court — Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, receives Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, upon their arrival at the Presidential Airport commencing an official visit to the UAE. Pawan Singh for the Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, receives Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall, upon their arrival at the Presidential Airport commencing an official visit to the UAE. Pawan Singh for the Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
  • Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed visits Wahat Al Karama with Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, Director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi
    Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed visits Wahat Al Karama with Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon, Director of the Martyrs' Families' Affairs Office of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court. Mohamed Al Suwaidi / Crown Prince Court - Abu Dhabi

UAE leaders 2016 — in pictures


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Here’s a selection of the best photos of the UAE’s leaders in 2016.