British State Visit to the United Arab Emirates, 1979

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The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh are hosted by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan of Abu Dhabi and Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum of Dubai on their State Visit to the United Arab Emirates on this day 1979, after visiting KuwaitBahrainSaudi Arabia, and Qatar during their six-nation Tour of the Gulf States, the first ever by a female Head of State (which we are covering in depth all month). Events included an Official Welcome and Luncheon in Abu Dhabi followed by a Dinner hosted by the Queen (wearing the Vladimir Tiara) in honour of the Sheikh of Abu Dhabi on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The following evening, the Sheikh of Dubai hosted a a State Dinner at which the Queen (in the Girls of Great Britain & Ireland Tiara) was gifted her Dubai Sapphire Parure, which was reciprocated by a Return Dinner on the Royal Yacht Britannia. The Queen and Duke returned for another State Visit in 2010.

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3 thoughts on “British State Visit to the United Arab Emirates, 1979

  1. It’s so sad that they decommissioned the Brittania. I think that was a mistake. That ship had another 50 or 75 more years of life in her, if not more. It’s actually more expensive to fly and stay in hotels that to have their own ship where to stay and fete their hosts. For one thing, there’s no security to worry about! I think the ship more than paid for its upkeep, even if only because everyone enjoyed their invitation on board the yacht so much. It made for excellent PR!

    1. I look at some of those 2/3-month long Tours that they used to do until the 80s, and they would have only been accomplished on Britannia, when the royals could really go ‘home’ at night or the days it took to travel, rather than remain ‘on’ 24/7! It was really a floating Palace, and a big symbol of Britain on the world stage! I’ve read they are planning for a new Britannia but I think politics will make it unlikely!

      1. Yes, I have read that too! I don’t think it’s likely to happen, though. They should have started on it or something. But, stranger things have happened! 🙂

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