Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan during a Bedouin picnic near Al Ain in 1989. Getty Images
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan during a Bedouin picnic near Al Ain in 1989. Getty Images
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan during a Bedouin picnic near Al Ain in 1989. Getty Images
Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan during a Bedouin picnic near Al Ain in 1989. Getty Images

Timeframe: A look back at King Charles III's first visit to the UAE


Hareth Al Bustani
  • English
  • Arabic

This Saturday, the world will be watching as King Charles III, at 70, is crowned. For the UAE, a country whose early modern history was closely intertwined with Britain and its monarchy, it is a moment to reflect on a long and enduring relationship between the new monarch and the Emirates.

The Prince of Wales, as he was then, first visited the UAE in 1989 with his wife Diana, Princess of Wales, and was welcomed by the country's Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Speaking at his private majlis in Al Ain, Sheikh Zayed told the prince and princess of his plans to transform Sir Bani Yas Island into a wildlife reserve. Later, the prince and princess enjoyed watching a camel race at Al Maqam track, before having a picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis, alongside Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

  • Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, welcomes Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales at Al Ain airport. Photo: Al Ittihad
    Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, welcomes Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales at Al Ain airport. Photo: Al Ittihad
  • The UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan, with Prince Charles, Diana, and Zaki Nusseibeh in Abu Dhabi on the royals' first UAE trip in 1989. Photo: Zaki Nusseibeh / The Akkasah Centre for Photography
    The UAE Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nayan, with Prince Charles, Diana, and Zaki Nusseibeh in Abu Dhabi on the royals' first UAE trip in 1989. Photo: Zaki Nusseibeh / The Akkasah Centre for Photography
  • Sheikh Zayed with Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1989. Photo: Al Ittihad
    Sheikh Zayed with Princess Diana and Prince Charles in 1989. Photo: Al Ittihad
  • The late UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed with Prince Charles at a banquet hosted by the British ambassador to the UAE in March 1989. Also present are Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed and Ahmad Khalifa Al Suwaidi
    The late UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed with Prince Charles at a banquet hosted by the British ambassador to the UAE in March 1989. Also present are Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Sheikh Suroor bin Mohamed and Ahmad Khalifa Al Suwaidi
  • Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, shows the British royals plans for a new university. Photo: Al Ittihad
    Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, shows the British royals plans for a new university. Photo: Al Ittihad
  • Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince Charles watch a camel race. Photo: Anwar Hussein
    Diana, Princess of Wales, and Prince Charles watch a camel race. Photo: Anwar Hussein
  • Prince Charles enjoys a picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis, alongside Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed. Getty Images
    Prince Charles enjoys a picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis, alongside Sheikh Tahnoun bin Zayed. Getty Images
  • Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during a reception at the British consulate in Dubai on March 16, 1989. Getty Images
    Diana, Princess of Wales, with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, during a reception at the British consulate in Dubai on March 16, 1989. Getty Images
  • When visiting Kuwait after her UAE trip, Princess Diana was given a gold embroidered gown and a silver tea set during a visit to the museum in Kuwait City. Getty Images
    When visiting Kuwait after her UAE trip, Princess Diana was given a gold embroidered gown and a silver tea set during a visit to the museum in Kuwait City. Getty Images
  • The Princess of Wales during a visit to the museum in Kuwait City. Getty Images
    The Princess of Wales during a visit to the museum in Kuwait City. Getty Images

The six-day trip, which included a stop in Kuwait, was intended to boost trade, and the royal couple enjoyed Emirati hospitality in Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

The pair attended an official reception at the British embassy in Abu Dhabi, and another at the British consulate in Dubai, where they met Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai — who at the time was Minister of Defence.

Prince Charles visited the UAE again in 1999, 2007, 2014 and 2016. During his most recent trip, he and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were treated to a tour of the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque, accompanied by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, who was then Minister of State for Tolerance.

They also visited the Bu Tinah archipelago, a sanctuary for endangered species such as the dugong and hawksbill turtle and attended a celebration at Al Ain's Jahili Fort.

The Duchess of Cornwall even managed to find time to see the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital, and attend a Women’s Empowerment Lunch, where she was greeted by Noura Al Kaabi, who was Minister of State for Federal National Council Affairs at the time.

After visiting the logistics centre, Dubai International Humanitarian City, where the prince Charles met aid workers, he said the UAE was positioned to become the world’s foremost humanitarian logistical power.

“The UAE is second to none in its generosity. This is one facet of Sheikh Zayed’s remarkable legacy," he added.

How much do leading UAE’s UK curriculum schools charge for Year 6?
  1. Nord Anglia International School (Dubai) – Dh85,032
  2. Kings School Al Barsha (Dubai) – Dh71,905
  3. Brighton College Abu Dhabi - Dh68,560
  4. Jumeirah English Speaking School (Dubai) – Dh59,728
  5. Gems Wellington International School – Dubai Branch – Dh58,488
  6. The British School Al Khubairat (Abu Dhabi) - Dh54,170
  7. Dubai English Speaking School – Dh51,269

*Annual tuition fees covering the 2024/2025 academic year

Who's who in Yemen conflict

Houthis: Iran-backed rebels who occupy Sanaa and run unrecognised government

Yemeni government: Exiled government in Aden led by eight-member Presidential Leadership Council

Southern Transitional Council: Faction in Yemeni government that seeks autonomy for the south

Habrish 'rebels': Tribal-backed forces feuding with STC over control of oil in government territory

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Who was Alfred Nobel?

The Nobel Prize was created by wealthy Swedish chemist and entrepreneur Alfred Nobel.

  • In his will he dictated that the bulk of his estate should be used to fund "prizes to those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind".
  • Nobel is best known as the inventor of dynamite, but also wrote poetry and drama and could speak Russian, French, English and German by the age of 17. The five original prize categories reflect the interests closest to his heart.
  • Nobel died in 1896 but it took until 1901, following a legal battle over his will, before the first prizes were awarded.
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Jetour T1 specs

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MATCH INFO

Champions League quarter-final, first leg

Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City, Tuesday, 11pm (UAE)

Matches can be watched on BeIN Sports

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Avatar: Fire and Ash

Director: James Cameron

Starring: Sam Worthington, Sigourney Weaver, Zoe Saldana

Rating: 4.5/5

Last 10 winners of African Footballer of the Year

2006: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2007: Frederic Kanoute (Sevilla and Mali)
2008: Emmanuel Adebayor (Arsenal and Togo)
2009: Didier Drogba (Chelsea and Ivory Coast)
2010: Samuel Eto’o (Inter Milan and Cameroon)
2011: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2012: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2013: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2014: Yaya Toure (Manchester City and Ivory Coast)
2015: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Borussia Dortmund and Gabon)
2016: Riyad Mahrez (Leicester City and Algeria)

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Tearful appearance

Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday. 

Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow. 

She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.

A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.

Racecard

5.25pm: Etihad Museum – Maiden (TB) Dh82,500 (Turf) 1,200m

6pm: Al Shindaga Museum – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (Dirt) 1,200m

6.35pm: Poet Al Oqaili – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

7.10pm: Majlis Ghurfat Al Sheif – Handicap (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 1,600m

7.45pm: Hatta – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,400m

8.20pm: Al Fahidi – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh87,500 (D) 2,200m

8.55pm: Zabeel Trophy – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh120,000 (T) 1,600m

9.30pm: Coins Museum – Rated Conditions (TB) Dh95,000 (D) 1,600m

10.05pm: Al Quoz Creative – Handicap (TB) Dh95,000 (T) 1,000m

Results

7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup – Handicap (PA) Dh70,000 (Dirt) 1,600m; Winner: RB Kings Bay, Abdul Aziz Al Balushi (jockey), Helal Al Alawi (trainer)

7.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh 70,000 (D) 1,600m; Winner: AF Ensito, Fernando Jara, Mohamed Daggash

8pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,400m; Winner: AF Sourouh, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel

8.30pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 1,800m; Winner: Baaher, Fabrice Veron, Eric Lemartinel

9pm: Maiden (PA) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Mootahady, Antonio Fresu, Eric Lemartinel

9.30pm: Handicap (TB) Dh70,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Dubai Canal, Tadhg O’Shea, Satish Seemar

10pm: Al Ain Cup – Prestige (PA) Dh100,000 (D) 2,000m; Winner: Harrab, Bernardo Pinheiro, Majed Al Jahouri

Three ways to boost your credit score

Marwan Lutfi says the core fundamentals that drive better payment behaviour and can improve your credit score are:

1. Make sure you make your payments on time;

2. Limit the number of products you borrow on: the more loans and credit cards you have, the more it will affect your credit score;

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Updated: May 05, 2023, 6:01 PM