Charles’ coronation: Emirati historian recalls his encounter with the king during his visit – News

Peter Hellyer shares memories of his chance to spend time with the King, away from crowds, cameras and public eye

Peter Hellier speaks to King Charles during his visit to Abu Dhabi. – Photos provided

King Charles III and his wife Camilla were formally crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom and 14 other countries including Australia, New Zealand and Canada to the South today in a grand, opulent and ceremonial ceremony Little Tuvalu of the Pacific. Whatever one’s opinion of the British monarchy, these relationships are likely to change in the years to come, as the traditions and histories they represent change as well.

On this day, though, the pomp takes center stage. The ancient regalia, the glittering crown, the state coaches, the richly decorated horses, the soldiers from all over King Charles’ kingdom – all of which had their place, and the deeply religious ritual of London’s Westminster Abbey at its center .

Nothing like it has happened since the coronation of the king’s mother, Queen Elizabeth II, more than 70 years ago – and it was a very different world.

For the millions watching on television or in the streets of London, King Charles will be a distant figure, in his uniform, his medals and his robes, with monarchs from all over the world watching him. How, they might ask, is it possible for this character to know and interact with the public? He must be too far away.

Over the past three decades, I have had the privilege of being part of several visits to the UAE by the King, then Prince of Wales. Memorable occasions because they are not just formal receptions where handshakes are exchanged, but also an opportunity to spend some time away from crowds, cameras and the public eye.

On one such occasion in 1995, I had the pleasure of taking him on a tour of Sir Bani Yas Island, showing him the former Islamic-Christian monastery recently discovered by the Abu Dhabi Archaeological Survey of the Archipelago (ADIAS).

This is not just an official visit. Charles studied archeology at Cambridge University and we discussed at length the significance of our findings. A keen interest in religious tolerance, he later discussed the monastery with the late Sheikh Zayed and President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.

It is a rare privilege to be able to participate in such discussions.

I figured, too, had the chance to drive him around Sir Bani Yas, even though I was promised the great flamingos around the corner, surprisingly, didn’t show up that day!

“I’m used to it,” he laughs. “What was always promised didn’t quite come true…”

Of course, I was aware of Charles’ interest in the environment and conservation, and several of his official plans to visit the UAE included an environmental component. In one case, this included visiting Al Wathba Lake outside Abu Dhabi to observe some of the thousands of migratory birds that winter there.

Then again, this wasn’t just a trip to fill part of his schedule. He has genuine knowledge and interest in the birds we saw. He was certainly able to distinguish black-bellied sandpipers from sandpipers at a distance better than I could.

Another pastime of his was watercolor painting. I remember on one of his trips to the UAE, he asked if there was any way he could squeeze a little time out of his formal schedule so he could relax for a half hour or so and do some painting.

So I have some unusual memories of watching the future King of England sit on a dune, painting the desert of the Empty Lands.

Of course, he also reached out to the British community in Abu Dhabi through other activities. I recall that, on his first visit, I and some others had the privilege of meeting him privately to hand him a rather large check from the British community in Abu Dhabi to the sick children of Great Ormond Street in London. His enthusiasm for thanking us was palpable. Years later, of course, Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, the mother of state, donated another £60m. The link between Great Ormond Street and Abu Dhabi may get little attention, but it is deep and enduring, partly due to the direct interest shown by King Charles many years ago.

In encounters such as these, over the years I have had the privilege of communicating with Britain’s new king, viewing old pottery, discussing interfaith dialogue, driving on bumpy tracks and sharing binoculars away from formal settings. He has the extraordinary ability to converse with people from all walks of life, which combined with a memory allows him to remember people he has met before. That’s impressive.

So as I watch today’s broadcast of the coronation of King Charles III, a stoic and serious figure who will for a day be the focus of the world’s attention, I will remember the man with whom I had the privilege to spend all these years on and off. some time.

I am confident that he will prove to be a thoughtful, warm and impressive king.