Two absolute legends…
Today would have been the 57th birthday of Diana, Princess Wales, who was tragically killed in a car crash in Paris in August 1997.
Her birthday has seen an outpouring of emotional tributes from all over the world. Here in the UAE, we are reminded of this rare footage of HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai, sharing a moment with the princess.
Posted to the Hamdan bin Mohammed Heritage Centre Instagram account in August last year, the video shows the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan attending a state dinner at Buckingham Palace in 1989, joined by a young Sheikh Mohammed.
As Sheikh Zayed enters the room with Queen Elizabeth II, Sheikh Mohammed can be briefly spotted accompanying the princess.
According to the video’s description, the Queen gave a speech at the event in which she heaped praise on Sheikh Zayed, commending the UAE president for the initiatives he put in place to help bring stability to the GCC region.
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She also applauded his work in transforming the UAE, bringing the country into the modern era with a focus on the social welfare and education of his people.
That same year, Princess Diana made what would be her first and only visit to the UAE, as part of a whirlwind tour of the Gulf.
A video from Sheikh Mohammed’s official YouTube channel shows the pair chatting easily at an official reception.
According to the biography Portraits of a Princess: Travels with Diana, Sheikh Mohammed even came to the rescue when Diana’s flight back to London was delayed – lending the princess his private jet so she would make it home on time.
Somehow, we just knew these two would have a beautiful friendship. RIP, Princess Diana…
Image: uaehistory.com
