Well, this is adorable.

Today is the first day of the school year, and many children across the UAE will be facing those back-to-school butterflies. But some lucky Dubai students had one very special visitor to make them feel welcome.

HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, vice president of the UAE and ruler of Dubai, stopped by a few elementary schools this morning to meet with children on their first day back after the summer holidays.

Videos show the ruler walking around the classrooms, stopping to chat with the students about their work.

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He gave one diligent pupil an encouraging little pat on the back (aww!)…

He also admired a little boy’s rather fetching hat…

Everyone appeared to be on their very best behaviour…

Sheikh Mohammed is no stranger to school visits. Last year, the ruler and his wife, HRH Princess Haya, visited their 9-year-old daughter Al Jalila’s class.

The royal couple visited the school to celebrate World Teacher’s Day – and naturally, both the pupils and teachers were delighted.

Hey, we wouldn’t mind if Sheikh Mohammed ever wanted to swing by the Emirates Woman office, too…

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Images: Dubai Media Office