BRITISH and Commonwealth expatriates living in the kingdom are planning to stage a series of parties and special events to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee and long-standing Bahrain-UK relations.
She is the longest-lived and longest-reigning British monarch, the longest-serving female head of state, the oldest living and longest-reigning current monarch, and the oldest and longest-serving incumbent head of state.
Platinum Jubilee events to recognise that landmark occasion are being held at the start of June across the UK … and Bahrain will be following suit with street parties, brunches, quizzes, baking competitions and a black-tie event staged by the Bahrain British Business Forum.
The formalities start with a Songs of Praise special hymn singing session at St Christopher’s Cathedral on May 29 and the fun and games will continue in early June at the British Club, Dilmun Club and Bahrain Rugby Football Club.
The British Embassy in Bahrain’s deputy head of mission, Stuart Summers, is thrilled to see so many people celebrating the joyous jubilee. “It’s really wonderful to see so many local clubs and other organisations making an effort to mark this special occasion,” said the deputy ambassador. “They will become part of a very large number of events taking place in the UK, Commonwealth and the world.”
There are around 6,000 to 8,000 British nationals currently living in Bahrain, and thousands more visit each year.
Mr Summers added that the embassy staff members will also be supporting several local events and the embassy will also be hosting a gala dinner to celebrate the occasion.
“This Platinum Jubilee year is a chance to celebrate an exceptional moment for Her Majesty the Queen after 70 years on the throne,” he added. “It is hard to find any contemporary comparisons that match her personal presence on the world stage over such a timescale.
“The links between Her Majesty and His Majesty King Hamad, and their families, are very strong and go back many decades; in particular the royal visit here in 1979 was especially joyous. I think this symbolises the close and longstanding relationship between the UK and Bahrain. I am sure that many here will be following the celebrations.”
His Majesty recently visited the UK at the invitation of Queen Elizabeth to attend the Royal Windsor Horse Show 2022, as highlighted in the GDN. He attended a lunch banquet at Windsor Palace. The King and Queen Elizabeth held cordial talks on deep-rooted relations between the royal families in the two friendly kingdoms.
They also reviewed long-standing Bahraini-UK relations, which diplomats said was ‘growing steadily in all fields’.
In 2016, the countries celebrated 200 years of diplomatic relations, having deepened their economic, military and political ties since signing the Treaty of Friendship in 1816.
The British Embassy, in co-ordination with the British Council, at the time, organised 200 events including a Bahrain-UK food month, a museum exhibition, several documentary premieres and many more events touching on business, entrepreneurship, heritage, culture, sports, health, education, technology, food and fashion.
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