In pictures: Queen Elizabeth during UAE’s historic moments

As the United Kingdom and the world mourn the death of Queen Elizabeth II, we look back at the late British monarch’s presence in some of the historic occasions of the UAE. Queen Elizabeth died on Thursday (September 8) at the age of 96 in Balmoral Castle in Scotland. UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan paid tribute to Queen Elizabeth, calling her a “close friend of the UAE” and a “beloved and respected leader whose long reign was characterised by dignity, compassion and a tireless commitment to serving her country”. Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, called Queen Elizabeth “a global icon who represented the finest qualities of her nation and people”. “Her incredible lifetime of service and duty to the United Kingdom is unparalleled in our modern world,” Sheikh Mohammed said. Queen Elizabeth first visited the UAE in 1979, building the foundation for the friendship between the UK and the emirates. She last visited the country in 2010. She was accompanied by the late Prince Philip at the inauguration of Jebel Ali Port on February 25, 1979. She had delivered a speech on the occasion, in the presence of the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. Queen Elizabeth with Prince Philip at the inauguration of Jebel Ali Port on February 25, 1979. She had delivered a speech on the occasion, in the presence of the late Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum. It was her first official visit to the UAE, as part of the 1979 Royal Gulf tour that started in Kuwait on February 12 and ended in Oman on March 2. The royals were hosted by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan at a dinner on board the Royal Yacht Britannia on February 24, 1979. Also present that time was the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The British royals toured Abu Dhabi where Queen Elizabeth and Sheikh Zayed inaugurated Le Meridien Abu Dhabi. They then visited Al Ain before heading to Dubai where they were hosted by Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum hosted them. In Dubai, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip visited the Holy Trinity Church and the Dubai Municipality building. They also inaugurated the Jebel Ali Port and opened a desalination plant. In November 2010, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip made their second visit to the UAE. They arrived at the Abu Dhabi airport on November 24, 2010. During state banquet at Mushrif Palace, Shaikh Khalifa conferred the Order of Zayed on Queen Elizabeth II in the presence of Shaikh Mohammad and Prince Philip in Abu Dhabi. The Queen presented Shaikh Khalifa with the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath, GCB. The Queen also honoured Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid and Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed with the Knight Grand Cross of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George, GCMG. While in Abu Dhabi, Queen Elizabeth visited the Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque.
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