Memories of Queen Elizabeth II's time in the UAE made more precious by her passing

The first of two historic visits to Abu Dhabi and Dubai was made over 40 years ago

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  Queen Elizabeth II arrives in Abu Dhabi during a state visit to the Gulf on February 25, 1979. Getty

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  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

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  The queen during her visit to the UAE in 1979. Photo: Ramesh Shukla

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  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

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  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

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  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

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  Yemeni councillor Sayyid Abubakr bin Shaikh Alkaff kneels before Queen Elizabeth to be knighted during her visit to Aden on April 29, 1954. AFP

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  The queen with Sheikh Khalifa, who was then the UAE's President, at Mushrif Palace on November 25, 2010 in Abu Dhabi. Getty

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  The queen was welcomed by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during her visit to Abu Dhabi in 2010. Getty

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  The queen and Prince Philip with President Sheikh Mohamed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at Abu Dhabi airport on November 24, 2010. Getty

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  The queen with the emir of Bahrain at a horse and camel race meeting in 1979. Getty

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  Queen Elizabeth eats with her hands in the desert with King Hassan during her visit to Morocco on October 27, 1980. Getty

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  The queen attends the races during her visit to Saudi Arabia in February 1979. Getty

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  King Faisal II of Iraq and the queen leave Victoria Station in London for Buckingham Palace, in July 1956. Getty

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  The queen in Kuwait during her tour of the Gulf in 1979. Getty

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  The queen drives through Tunis with Tunisian President Habib Bourguiba during a state visit in October 1980. Getty

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  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

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  The queen walks in Muscat. Getty

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  The queen and Prince Philip during a visit to Qatar in February 1979. Getty

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  The queen with the Shah Mohammed Reza Pahlevi of Iran during a banquet in Tehran on March 2, 1961. AP

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  Queen Noor of Jordan, Prince Philip, Queen Elizabeth and King Hussein of Jordan after the British royals' arrival in the country in 1984. Getty

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  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

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  The queen and Prince Philip with King Idris of Libya at the Royal Palace in Tobruk in May 1954. AP

Queen Elizabeth II dies - follow the latest news as the world mourns

It was the workers on Das Island who saw her first, emerging out of the sea mist in stately procession towards Abu Dhabi.

All eyes were on the royal yacht Britannia, which was carrying Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain on her first state visit to the UAE.

The date was February 24, 1979, and waiting on the quayside at Mina Zayed was Sheikh Zayed, founding President of a country that was then only eight years old.

As well as dignitaries, who included Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, then Ruler of Dubai, and the other five Rulers of the UAE Supreme Council, a large crowd had gathered, anxious to witness this historic event.

"Disembarking from the Britannia, the Queen was presented with flowers by two small girls," the New York Times wrote in its edition of 40 years ago, noting the "warm welcome from Government officials and thousands of cheering citizens".

The fact that the Times was covering the visit is an indication of its global importance. The region was in turmoil, with the Arabian Gulf kingdoms an oasis of stability.

Even as Britannia passed down the Arabian Gulf it took her perilously close to the waters of Iran, where a violent revolution had seen the Shah overthrown, and the creation of an Islamic republic under Ayatollah Khomeini less than two weeks before.

International public interest in the visit was high.

"There was intense interest to see really how the rulers in the Gulf would welcome a woman monarch and to see how the public would react as well," Keith Graves, the former BBC Middle East correspondent, told The National in an interview in 2010.

"You had a queen, a woman, visiting a part of the world where women were not high profile.”

For the British government, the royal visit was also of great importance, taking the Queen to a region whose long ties with Britain had been both transformed and loosened by the formation of the UAE in 1971.

London also eyed the possibility of lucrative trade deals with the oil rich Gulf states. For the first time it chartered an aircraft to bring along 60 members of the press.

Her Majesty, meanwhile, departed from Heathrow on Concorde, the shiny new supersonic passenger aircraft serving as a sale pitch for British technology. But after landing in Kuwait, it was the then 25-year-old Britannia that would continue the tour.

The visit would last three days, beginning with a tour of the new city, including the Corniche Hospital and a stop at the British School Al Khubairat where the Queen, in a mint green outfit with matching hat, was presented with a bouquet by four-year-old Victoria Evans, the youngest girl pupil.

There was a holiday atmosphere, as crowds lined the street to watch the Queen and Sheikh Zayed pass in a Mercedes limousine flying the Royal Standard and the flag of the UAE. On the beach, a British Airways hot air balloon was launched.

Away from the media, the Queen enjoyed a private meeting at Mushrif Palace with Sheikha Fatima, the wife of Sheikh Zayed.

The day ended with a State Banquet at 10pm on board the Royal Yacht in honour of Sheikh Zayed, to thank the President and the other Rulers for their hospitality.

The following day saw a visit to Al Ain University, with a spot of camel racing in the Garden City, of which Mr Graves said ”she clearly thought this was absolutely wonderful and quite spectacular”.

Members of the media found the hospitality also extended to them. All 60 were allocated an individual car and driver.

For the BBC’s man it was a Rolls Royce all to himself. Lunch was a desert barbecue, with roast lamb, tents and traditional music and dancing.

The next day was Sunday, with the Queen flying from Al Ain to Dubai. Met at the airport by Sheikh Rashid, the royal party unveiled a plaque at the new Municipality building, with the Queen and her husband, Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, attending a service at Holy Trinity Church in Bur Dubai.

Overnight, the Royal Yacht sailed from Abu Dhabi to the new port at Jebel Ali which was formally opened by the Queen on the Monday, along with a desalination plant.

"It is one of man's ancient dreams to turn the desert green and seawater fit for drinking," she was quoted as saying by the newspaper Al Ittihad. "Here in Dubai, this dream will become reality."

Next the Queen was taken to the top of the Trade Centre - to inaugurate what was then the tallest building in the Middle East - and for dhow trip along the Creek.

There was a visit to the British Embassy in Dubai on the waterside, and finally an evening reception, again on Britannia, before the Royal party finally departed the UAE for Oman and the final leg of their Arabian tour.

The Queen returned to the UAE in 2010. Sheikh Zayed paid a state visit to Britain in 1989, with the late President, Sheikh Khalifa afforded the same honour in 2013. Less formally, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, the Vice President and Ruler of Dubai was frequently seen with the Queen at the horse racing meetings they both love.

As the world mourns Queen Elizabeth, those special memories of her time in the UAE are all the more precious.