Nat’l Museum recalls Queen Elizabeth II’s visit to Kuwait
Exhibition marks 40th anniversary
KUWAIT CITY, Feb 13, (KUNA): Kuwait National Museum held on Tuesday an exhibition to mark the 40th anniversary of the visit to Kuwait by Queen Elizabeth II.
The exhibition displays Isa Dashti’s collectibles from the visit, dated February 12, 1979.
Speaking to KUNA, Dashti said the event is organized in collaboration with the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) and the British Embassy in Kuwait.
“It is part of the celebrations marking the 120th anniversary of the AngloKuwaiti Agreement of 1899 under which Britain pledged to protect Kuwait’s territorial integrity.
“NCCAL and the Embassy agreed an agenda for the celebration spanning the whole year with at least two events per month to shed light on the friendly ties between both countries,” he said, recalling the launch ceremony of these activities, held at Sheraton Kuwait hotel on Jan 23.
Both sides co-organized a lecture at Kuwait National Library and a visit to Christ’s Tomb in Kuwait, as a tribute to the British soldiers and the British agent Capt. William Shakespear, he pointed out.
Turning back to his exhibition, Dashti said it displays 30 photos of Queen Elizabeth II and her spouse Prince Philip taken during the Royal Couple’s visit to Kuwait.
“The exhibits also include original collectibles related to the visit such as newspapers, magazines, two souvenirs and official programs released by the Amiri Diwan at that time,” he went on.
Queen Elizabeth II arrived at Kuwait airport on board of the legendary Concord and was welcomed by Kuwait Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and senior political leaders.
She as seen off at Shuwaikh seaport as the first foreign royalty to leave through this port, Dashti noted.
During her first and only historic visit to Kuwait, Queen Elizabeth II visited AlSeef and Al-Salam palaces, Al-Ahmadi City, the showroom of the petroleum co, the British Embassy in Dasman area and Kuwait Towers.
She was accompanied by the grand master of ceremonies Sheikh Salem Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Sheikh Saud AlNasser Al-Sabah and Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
Dashti added that several British royalties visited Kuwait, including Prince Charles, of Wales, Princess Diana, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew – Duke of York, and Princess Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.