Khaleej Times

Dubai lives the royal wedding

- Sarwat Nasir

dubai — UAE residents did not let the thousands of miles between themselves and the royal wedding venue in Windsor affect their zeal in celebratin­g the historic occasion.

More than 15 venues across Dubai and Abu Dhabi livestream­ed the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. And most of them were sold out events, with hundreds of expats witnessing the moment the royal couple exchanged their I dos, over a traditiona­l afternoon tea experience.

At the Royal Tea Afternoon hosted by Ritz-Carlton Dubai, more than 110 people joined the royal wedding revelry. British expat Laura Voyatzis put on a special look especially for the event. “I got my hair blow-dried in the style of Kate Middleton. I think the ceremony was amazing. I loved Meghan’s dress, she looked very elegant and classy and not over the top.”

Another attendee, Sarah Arfaoui, who is half Arab and half English, wore an Arab-style dress with an English-style hat. “I wanted to bring the two together, since I’m from both parts of the world. It’s a nice fit since we are here in the UAE, celebratin­g the royal wedding.”

I think the ceremony was amazing. I loved Meghan’s dress, she looked very elegant and classy and not over the top Laura Voyatzis, British expat

I think it’s great. I’ve heard that a number of celebratio­ns are going on in Dubai. People are wearing the colours of the UK flag on their face. People are really celebratin­g in full force.” Sarah Arfaoui, Dubai resident

Whether you are supportive of Harry’s choices or not, it’s a beautiful moment in our history. So many people came together to see the ceremony here. Meghan looks absolutely stunning and elegant.” Tania Kreindler, Dubai resident

dubai — Residents of UAE on Saturday came together to celebrate the Britain’s royal wedding of Prince Harry and American actor Meghan Markle.

There were several ‘regal’ celebratio­n events that were held across Dubai, including at the RitzCarlto­n in JBR where more than 100 British expats gathered at the hotel’s ‘Royal Afternoon Tea’ event to watch the ceremony live. There were also celebratio­ns held on the QE2, Al Fayrooz lounge at Jumeirah Al Qasr, Barasti and Rhodes WI, and in many others venues.

Several of these venues held quintessen­tial afternoon tea experience to give the royal wedding fans a feel of the British tradition.

British expats Laura Voyatzis was at the Ritz-Carlton and got a special look in honour of the wedding celebratio­n.

“I got my hair blow-dried in the style of Kate Middleton. I think the ceremony was amazing. I loved Meghan’s dress, she looked very elegant and classy and not over the top. But I have to say that I didn’t like one of the speakers who was speaking about the Stone Age,” she said.

Another attendee, Sarah Arfaoui, who is half Arab and half English wore an Arab dress with an English-style hat to celebrate the royal wedding.

“I wanted to bring the two together, since I’m both parts of the world. And it it’s a nice fit since we are here in the UAE, celebratin­g the royal wedding,” she said.

Arfaoui said it was also nice seeing British expats gathering for an event as such even though they are far away from home.

“I think it’s great. I’ve heard that a number of celebratio­ns are going on in Dubai. People are wearing the colours of the UK flag on their face. People are really celebratin­g in full force,” she said.

Tania Kreindler, another attendee, said the royal wedding was a “beautiful moment” in British history.

“Whether you are supportive of Harry’s choices or not, it’s a beautiful moment in our history. So many people came together to see the ceremony here. Meghan looks absolutely stunning and she looks very elegant,” she said.

Jameel Hussain, a British expat with Indian origin in Dubai, watched the ceremony from home with his family.

“The ceremony was beautiful. When Prince Charles walked her down the aisle, it was really heartwarmi­ng. It was sad, though, that her own father couldn’t walk her down the aisle. But at the end of the day, it all seemed to have worked out very well. The vows were beautiful too,” Hussain said.

 ?? Reuters ?? Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, emerge from the West Door of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Saturday after their wedding ceremony. —
Reuters Britain’s Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and wife Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, emerge from the West Door of St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, on Saturday after their wedding ceremony. —
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 ?? Queen Elizabeth II ?? British expats express their joy and excitement while watching the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle onboard the
Queen Elizabeth II British expats express their joy and excitement while watching the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle onboard the
 ??  ?? Sarah Arfaoui who wore an Arab dress with an English-style hat to join the celebratio­ns in Dubai. Right Deena, Margot and Tania Kreindler, who called the royal marriage ‘a beautiful moment’ in the history of Britain.
Sarah Arfaoui who wore an Arab dress with an English-style hat to join the celebratio­ns in Dubai. Right Deena, Margot and Tania Kreindler, who called the royal marriage ‘a beautiful moment’ in the history of Britain.
 ?? Photos by Dhes Handumon ?? in Dubai on Saturday. —
Photos by Dhes Handumon in Dubai on Saturday. —
 ?? Photos by Mohammad Mustafa Khan ?? British expats also watched the royal wedding live at Ritz Carlton in JBR in Dubai. —
Photos by Mohammad Mustafa Khan British expats also watched the royal wedding live at Ritz Carlton in JBR in Dubai. —
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