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Abu Dhabi: British Ambassador to the UAE Patrick Moody thanked the UAE leaders and people for their condolences on the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
In a video message posted on the British embassy’s social media channels in the UAE on Saturday night, Moody remembered the Queen fondly and said the UAE and the UK really mourn together. “At this very sad time, we are all very grateful for the messages of condolences from His Highness, the President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates and many other Emiratis and UAE residents,” said the ambassador.
touching tribute
Most touching, he said, was the UAE’s announcement of an official period of mourning.
The longest-reigning British monarch died on Thursday at the age of 96. President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan sent a message of condolences to King Charles III of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland on Friday, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, sent a similar message to King Charles. The ruler of the UAE also sent a message.
Also on Friday, the UAE announced that starting Friday, flags from the country’s public and private sectors, as well as its embassies abroad, will be flown at half-mast for three days to mourn the passing of Queen Elizabeth II.
There was also a 96-round salute on a Royal Navy ship in Dubai on Friday, symbolizing the Queen’s years.
condolence letter
“We really mourned together,” Moody said, acknowledging that he knew more people wanted to express their condolences.
“There is a virtual condolence book on royal.uk, but in order for you to sign the condolence book in person, we are opening venues to the public in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Details of where and when we operate social media,” he said.
In Dubai, several British expatriates, Emiratis and other Emirati residents have been paying tribute to the Queen on board the QEII (Queen Elizabeth II) ship in Port Rashid, Deira.
In Abu Dhabi, starting Monday, September 12, condolences can be held at St Andrew’s Church, Al Barq Street, Al Mushrif, between 12pm and 6pm.
greatest diplomat
Moody said: “None of us will forget where we are when we hear of Her Majesty’s passing. She has touched all of our lives profoundly in so many different ways.”
As a diplomat, the Queen is “our greatest diplomat”, he said.
“But she is more important to all of you, an inspiration, a comfort and a joy. Who can forget her meeting with James Bond and Paddington Bear? If that makes you smile, remember Her smile, always with us and captured so beautifully in her last photo of Balmoral,” he said.
The ambassador was referring to a viral photo of the queen taken two days before her death on Thursday. The royal smiles by the fireplace in the drawing room of her Scottish residence, Balmoral Castle, before appointing Liz Truss as the new British prime minister, her 15th prime minister during her reign.
flag on full mast
The British embassy in the UAE raised its full mast throughout the day to mark the enthronement of King Charles.
Image credit: Screengrab
The envoy also spoke about the announcement of the new king, King Charles.
“To commemorate this, we will raise the flag from half-staff to full-flag for one day, after which they will resume flying at half-staff until the end of the mourning period. God bless our gracious queen, long live the king,” the ambassador added in his message.
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