‘I felt important’: UAE resident recalls shaking hands with King Charles III – News

As tomorrow’s coronation grabs headlines around the world, those who have had the chance to meet the British royal are reliving the once-in-a-lifetime experience

Britain’s King Charles met with well-wishers during a walk outside Buckingham Palace ahead of his and Queen Camilla’s coronation on Friday. — Reuters

There’s nothing special about shaking hands — well, unless you’re shaking hands with a king.Some UAE residents were lucky enough to do so with King Charles III, and The whole world is talking about his coronation tomorrowthe expats couldn’t help but reflect on their own royal encounters.

British expatriate Sharon Percy said she vividly remembers feeling “very important” on the day she met King Charles, who still held the title of “Prince”.she can say hello too late queen elizabeth ii with Prince Philip and Charles’ wife Camilla.

It was a garden party at Buckingham Palace, she said. “I’ve had a royal invitation because I’m a guest of a relative of a working royal… I really enjoy going to parties like this.”

King Charles III will join Queen Camilla in a coronation ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London tomorrow. The coronation will be officiated by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

The coronation will begin at 2pm (UAE time) on Saturday, with celebrations continuing through the weekend and on Monday, which is a UK public holiday. Charles, who became heir apparent to the British throne at the age of three, will now be the 40th reigning monarch since 1066 at the age of 74.

Another British expatriate, Helen Mercer, also remembers shaking the king’s hand while living in Kuwait in February 1997.

“He came to Kuwait on his last trip on the Royal Yacht Britannia,” said Mercer, who works as a learning support assistant at the British Academy.

“He came to the side of the pier and greeted people by shaking hands. The Royal Marines band played in the background, performing Beat the retreat.“

defeat retreat Originating in the early days of organized warfare, when the sound of drums and the procession of sentries heralded the closing of camp gates and the lowering of flags at the end of the day.

Dubai resident Aisha said she almost missed meeting King Charles in 1996.

“That year, several GEMS schools took some of their students to meet the then-Prince Charles for a tea party,” she said. “I was nine years old and was chosen to go, but my parents thought I was too young to travel alone, so a friend of mine got the chance.”

However, Aisha said she hoped to see the coronation on television this weekend with her children.

“My kids are all in British schools and they’ve been involved in something related to the coronation, so they’re really excited about it,” she said. “So we might watch the ceremony together. My daughter even baked shortbread for the occasion.”

Dubai’s floating hotel QE2 — once the luxury cruise liner of the British royal family — is now Get ready to host a viewing party for the awards show on Saturday. There is a very special tea party here on Friday. It’s organized by Visit Britain co-chef Vineet Bhatia, who was awarded the Most Merit of the British Empire (MBE) late last year.

The nine-course party served up some of King Charles III’s favorite dishes, even including a dish titled “His Majesty’s Favourites”. It included wild mushroom risotto and Arabica glazed lamb.