View the image at BNA

His Majesty King Hamad of Bahrain visited Abu Dhabi’s Yas Marina Circuit where he was welcomed by General Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. The visit was part of the 2009 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula One races which takes place tomorrow November 1, 2009. King Hamad was briefed on the circuit’s history, facilities, local and international sports activities.

The tour was attended by a few Sheikhs, the Kings entourage and F1 officials.

For more information on the event, visit this thread.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, UAE Royals Grand Prix, King Hamad, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed

Click to see the image at BNA

  On September 28, 2009 Sheikh Nasser bin Hamed Al Khalifa, the son of King Hamed of Bahrain, tied the knot with Sheikha Sheikha bin Mohammed bin Rashid, the daughter of Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai.

The celebrations took place in Dubai with a lunch that was attended by King Hamed of Bahrain, UAE President Sheikh Khalifa and the bride’s father Sheikh Mohammed, along with the rulers and Crown Princes of the Emirates.

The women’s ceremony will take place on October 2, 2009; when a dinner is held for the occasion.

In the UAE, there are two parties since the weddings aren’t mixed. The men’s party is a lunch and is followed a few days later by the women’s ceremony, which is a dinner. The day of the men’s lunch is when the signing of the marriage contract takes place.

For more information and pictures, visit this thread.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, UAE Royals Sheikh Nasser bin Hamed, Sheikha Sheikha bin Mohammed, Wedding

   The Prime Minister of Bahrain, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, will pay a visit to Thailand starting August 9-11 by the invitation of the Thai government, according to Vimon Kidchob who is Director-General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Department of Information.

Sheikh Khalifa will meet with His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej and Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and with Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva to discuss bilateral ties at the Government House which will be followed by a luncheon hosted in his honour.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, Thai Royals King Bhumibol Adulyadej, Official Visit, Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman

 The Royal Court of Bahrain announced that Shaikha Hessa bint Salman Al Khalifa, the King of Bahrain’s mother had passed away. King Hamad was at the forefront of the funeral prayers this morning along with His Highness Sheikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander, Prime Minister Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa as well as senior members of the royal family.

dazzling Bahrain Royals Death, King Hamad, Shaikha Hessa bint Salman

 Selecting the most influential people in the Middle East wasn’t easy but to so people from around the world were approached and asked to name five people and explain in a couple of sentences why they chose them. The list isn’t about the rich or powerful but about who has an influence.

Making the list were Queen Rania of Jordan who campaigns for childrens and womens rights around the world, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Dubai ruler, and Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Mozah of Qatar wife of the Emir who has been quite active in education and social reforms in Qatar, Sheikh Nahyan bin Ambarak Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research (UAE), Prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (KSA), Prince Turki Al Faisal (KSA), HH Princess Lalla Salma the Kings wife (Morocco) who is the first wife of any King to be publicly active and given a title by the King, Crown Prince of Bahrain Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, and Sheikha Hanadi bint Nasser (Qatar) who was named “Woman CEO of the Year” in 2006 for her significant contribution in developing Qatar’s economic and social presence in the Arab world.

To read about each of the royals above and what they have done and read up on others in the region who made the list, visit this site.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, Gulf State Royals, Jordanian Royals, Moroccan Royals, Saudi Royals, UAE Royals Lalla Salma, Queen Rania, Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Sheikh Salman bin Hamad, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser

   Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Abdullah yesterday inaugurated the National Heritage and Culture Festival at Janadriya village, 45 km north of Riyadh. In the first time of the Janadriya 25 year history, it has opened its doors to families, including women.

The festivel started with a camel race in which about 500 contestants took part in which King Abdullah handed prizes to the winners of the first round of the event.

Russia, a close ally of the Kingdom, is participating in festival as a guest of honor. Representing Russia was Aleksandr Alekseyevich Avdeydev, minister of culture along with his delegation.

The inaugural session was attended by King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan, chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince’s Court and a number high-ranking Saudi officials and foreign diplomats.

“The festival mirrors the glory of our past culture and heritage. Thanks to the keenness and support of King Abdullah and Crown Prince Sultan, it has become an international cultural event,” said Prince Miteb assistant commander of the National Guard for Military Affairs and vice chairman of the festival’s Supreme Committee.

King Abdullah will attend the annual equestrian event at Janadriya tomorrow.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, Saudi Royals, UAE Royals Janadriya, King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz, King Hamad, Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed

 His Majesty King Hamad held talks yesterday with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at Sharm El- Sheikh’s International Conference Hall in Egypt during the framework of the international Gaza donors’ conference. They reviewed bilateral relations in various fields as well as the latest regional and international developments. Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said in a statement that “The meeting was fruitful as it provided a platform to discuss the deep historical relations of co-operation between Bahrain and the US”.

Later on, King Hamad met with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and discussed bilateral ties, regional and Arab developments. His Majesty also praised Mr Mubarak for his efforts for reconciliation among the Palestinian factions and underlined the need for resumption of the Middle East peace process.

dazzling Bahrain Royals Hillary Clinton, King Hamad

Later that evening, King Hamad  held a dinner banquet in honour of King Abdullah and the accompanying delegation which was also attended by senior Bahraini officials and officers.

While in Manama, King Abdullah also meet with financial leaders and CEOs of major companies and international banks operating in the Gulf kingdom.

dazzling Bahrain Royals, Jordanian Royals Abdullah II, King Hamad

Click the image to see the photo at France-Diplomatie

   After an unexpected visit to Baghdad on 10 February, President Nicholas Sarkozy of France visited the Gulf States of Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait to confer with the rulers of those countries on both military and civilian issues. This visit follows visits by the President in 2008 to  Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, which also led to agreemements, most significantly an agreement for France to set up a military base in the UAE and also a deal for development of nuclear energy.

During the most recent trip, President Sarkozy signed a declaration about nuclear energy and an agreement for a French military base in Bahrain (similar to last year’s agreements with the UAE), and an agreement on health care in Oman.

This series of trips and agreements is likely to make France one of the most significant players, if not the most significant, in the Middle East in the early 21st century.

Esmeralda Bahrain Royals, Gulf State Royals, Kuwaiti Royals, Oman Royals France, President Sarkozy