There is a longstanding friendship between the United Kingdom and The UAE; and as the Embassy School of the UAE we are extremely proud to have had the honour of meeting King Charles and other members of the Royal Family on several occasions.

Photo: Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Court

In 1989, King Charles and his then wife Princess Diana undertook a long and comprehensive tour of the Gulf, which, naturally, included stops in Abu Dhabi and Dubai, as well as Al Ain. The couple watched camel racing in Al Ain and visited His Highness Sheikh Zayed’s majlis, where they were received by the President. In Abu Dhabi, Charles and Diana attended a reception at the British Embassy, and a few BSAK students and the Headmaster, David Holford, were fortunate to meet them at the embassy function. 

 

Almost 20 years later on February 27, 2007, King Charles visited The late HH Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the Royal Palace in Abu Dhabi. During this trip he visited BSAK to view a Climate Change Exhibition, and chatted to both Primary and Secondary school students. He also took time to speak to a young environmentalist, Mahra Al Shamsi, 11 years old, who told him about the gathering plans to introduce locally sourced organic produce into shops in Abu Dhabi. Organic farming is a particular interest of the Prince.

 

Camilla, Queen Consort of the United Kingdom and King Charles III visited the Abu Dhabi Grand Mosque on the first day of a Royal tour of the United Arab Emirates on November 6, 2016, and were accompanied by Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi. During the tour, the royals also visited the Bu Tinah archipelago, a sanctuary for endangered species such as the dugong and hawksbill turtle, and also visited the Falcon Hospital, to learn about the importance of falconry in Arab culture.

 
Photo: Alamy