Queen sends National Day message

Dubai: Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, yesterday joined in a special reception at the British Ambassador's residence to jointly celebrate the UAE's 40th anniversary of union.

The Duke of York brought with him a special message from Queen Elizabeth II to President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan

The Embassy had hosted a reception for The Duke of York with religious leaders and scholars and a number of members of the British and Emirati community.

Among the special guests were Shaikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research; Syed Ali Al Hashemi, Spiritual Adviser to Shaikh Khalifa and the Reverend Canon Andrew Thompson of Saint Andrew's Anglican Church, Abu Dhabi.

One of the focal points for discussion was a new book written by Reverend Canon Thompson titled Christianity in the UAE: Culture and Heritage, which celebrates the extraordinary relationship between Emiratis and the Christian community in the UAE, a statement from the embassy said.

Ambassador Dominic Jermey said: "Andy Thompson's book is a wonderful celebration of Christian Churches in the UAE. As Ambassador of the United Kingdom, a country very proud of its multi faith heritage and identity, I am delighted to support this work. The UAE's warmth towards Christianity and many other faiths is a wonderful legacy of [His Highness] Shaikh Zayed's advocacy of an open and tolerant society."

Prince Andrew also visited Brighton College, Abu Dhabi, a new campus of Brighton College UK. This visit took place in the presence of Shaikh Hamed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court.