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Britons mark Queen's 82nd birthday with fish 'n' chips

The celebration was held on the lawns of the British Embassy in Dubai and welcomed more than 300 visitors from around the UAE.

  • By Alice Johnson, Staff Reporter
  • Published: 00:31 April 24, 2008
  • Gulf News

  • The Prince of Wales regimental band regales residents of Dubai during the celebration of Queen Elizabeth's birthday.
  • Image Credit: Atiq-Ur-Rehman/Gulf News

Dubai: Fish 'n' chips and traditional cream teas complete with scones, jam and whipped cream, delighted a host of visitors celebrating Queen Elizabeth II's birthday.

Guests were wowed with live cooking stations where the traditional fish was fried before their eyes on Tuesday.

The celebration was held on the lawns of the British Embassy in Dubai and welcomed more than 300 visitors from around the UAE.

In steps with time

Queen Elizabeth II is Queen Regnant for 16 independent states, including the UK, and turned 82 on Monday.

The Prince of Wales regimental band came from Wiltshire, England. Marching on the lawns, the band kept perfect time in their traditional red uniforms. Both the UAE and British national anthems were performed following a speech by British Ambassador Edward Oakden.

"This region will remain central to our interests and will remain so for the next 30, 40 or 50 years. Therefore we should be putting more resources into this part of the world, in this region, which means proportionately less elsewhere. It's crucial that we transmit this to London and that London in turn understands it," he said.

The UAE Ambassador in London, Eisa Saleh Al Gurg, also attended.

Guests were greeted by two Yeomen from the Tower of London, who are visiting the UAE for the Queen's birthday celebrations in Dubai and at the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi.

Yeoman Serjeant Philip Wilson (who still uses the Victorian spelling of 'Sergeant') and Yeoman Warder Bob Brown will also talk to schools in the region regarding the history of the Tower of London.

The position of Yeomans dates back to 1826.

To become a Yeoman a person must have served at least 22 years in the British Armed Forces and hold the Long Service Good Conduct Medal, and must have a glowing character reference.

Moving on

Fond memories

Consul General in Dubai John Hawkins is to end his four-year tenure this year. He is to be replaced in June by Guy Warrington and has been posted to Qatar.

"I'm very much looking forward to it. I've loved Dubai and I've loved this region and this part of the world. Doha's a very exciting place - there are lots of things happening there as there are in Dubai. It's growing very fast, so I'm looking forward to it," Hawkins said.

Guy Warrington was previously in South Korea.

Hawkins' predecessor Simon Colliss is also stationed as British Ambassador in Qatar.

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