British missions celebrate Queen’s b’day
dubai — The British diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai held events to celebrate the 91th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday and Thursday.
The events were hosted by Philip Parham, British Ambassador to the UAE, in Abu Dhabi, and Paul Fox, British Consul-General, in Dubai.
On behalf of the UAE Government, the guests of honour were Saqr Ghobash bin Saeed Ghobash, Minister of Human Resources and Emiratisation, in Abu Dhabi; and Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance, in Dubai.
“The Queen remains a fixed point in a changing world. She continues to be our most potent symbol of continuity and a counterpoint to far-reaching changes. She has shown an unsurpassed dutifulness and commitment to her country and her people,” Paul Fox said. “She is the UK’s greatest Ambassador, as demonstrated by her special friendships with the President, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai.”
A number of representatives from the northern Emirates’ ruling courts were also present for the event in Dubai.
Both events saw guests including senior government figures, diplomats, business people and some of the leaders of the 120,000-strong British community in the UAE.
The celebrations started with the playing of the Emirati and British national anthems, which in Abu Dhabi were sung by students from the British School Al Khubairat in Abu Dhabi and by music scholars in Dubai.
The events also served as important opportunities to celebrate the relationship between the UK and the UAE.