It is perhaps easy to forget the details of a British coronation ceremony, so long has it been since one was necessary. The new monarch swears to maintain the Church of England, as well as to "cause Law and Justice, in Mercy, to be executed". This pledge is made in front of every aspect of the British state, from the Prime Minister to the Archbishop of Canterbury – and latterly, thanks to the advent of television, the subjects themselves. In 1953, 27 million people in the UK watched as Queen Elizabeth II was crowned.
That generation will now join with those born since in celebration of her platinum jubilee, marking 70 years on the throne. The longevity of her reign alone makes her one of the most significant royals in British history. But back in June 1953, very little was known about the 25-year-old. And there was even less certainty about the direction the UK would go during her reign.
She vowed to govern not just the people of the UK, but also those of "Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Pakistan, and Ceylon, and of your Possessions and the other Territories". But this colonial reality was already unravelling. India, the former "Jewel in the Crown", had left in 1947. Three years into her reign Britain, France and Israel launched a failed attempt to recapture the Suez Canal after it was reclaimed by the post-colonial administration in Egypt led by Gamal Abdel Nasser. It was a humiliating defeat and a moment many view as the death knell for western imperialism.
Change was also happening within the UK. The devastation of the Second World War, which most of the Queen's subjects had lived through, bankrupted the economy and changed politics and society. The calls for recognition from under-represented groups, particularly women and colonial subjects, both of whom made great sacrifices during the war, would spell an end to the previous social order.
Since then, 14 British Prime Ministers have grappled with such issues on a political level. The Queen has followed them closely with weekly conversations. While she stays out of political decision-making, this astonishing breadth of historical experience is an asset to the country. Barely anyone knows anything about the content of these interactions, making this secret knowledge just one of the many fascinating aspects of her reign.
Another gift is her ability to pick up on the mood of the nation. She has always chosen to be close to people. She carried out 341 official engagements at the age of 89. This commitment was never as important as during the pandemic. Almost 24 million people watched a rare special address she made in March 2020. An image of her sitting alone at her husband's funeral, sticking to Covid-19 regulations, became a symbol of the country’s sacrifice.
A benefit of monarchies is the stability they can embody. The past few decades have been the fastest-changing era in history. Queen Elizabeth is one of the few leaders who has been in the public eye throughout, remaining an example of the responsible use and respect of power. Today, such harmony is a gold standard to which future UK monarchs should aspire.
What went into the film
25 visual effects (VFX) studios
2,150 VFX shots in a film with 2,500 shots
1,000 VFX artists
3,000 technicians
10 Concept artists, 25 3D designers
New sound technology, named 4D SRL
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Hamilton profile
Age 32
Country United Kingdom
Grands Prix entered 198
Pole positions 67
Wins 57
Podiums 110
Points 2,423
World Championships 3
The specs
Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo
Power: 247hp at 6,500rpm
Torque: 370Nm from 1,500-3,500rpm
Transmission: 10-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 7.8L/100km
Price: from Dh94,900
On sale: now
COMPANY PROFILE
Name: HyperSpace
Started: 2020
Founders: Alexander Heller, Rama Allen and Desi Gonzalez
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Entertainment
Number of staff: 210
Investment raised: $75 million from investors including Galaxy Interactive, Riyadh Season, Sega Ventures and Apis Venture Partners
Selected fixtures
All times UAE
Wednesday
Poland v Portugal 10.45pm
Russia v Sweden 10.45pm
Friday
Belgium v Switzerland 10.45pm
Croatia v England 10.45pm
Saturday
Netherlands v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Denmark 10.45pm
Sunday
Poland v Italy 10.45pm
Monday
Spain v England 10.45pm
Tuesday
France v Germany 10.45pm
Rep of Ireland v Wales 10.45pm
The biog
First Job: Abu Dhabi Department of Petroleum in 1974
Current role: Chairperson of Al Maskari Holding since 2008
Career high: Regularly cited on Forbes list of 100 most powerful Arab Businesswomen
Achievement: Helped establish Al Maskari Medical Centre in 1969 in Abu Dhabi’s Western Region
Future plan: Will now concentrate on her charitable work
England's lowest Test innings
- 45 v Australia in Sydney, January 28, 1887
- 46 v West Indies in Port of Spain, March 25, 1994
- 51 v West Indies in Kingston, February 4, 2009
- 52 v Australia at The Oval, August 14, 1948
- 53 v Australia at Lord's, July 16, 1888
- 58 v New Zealand in Auckland, March 22, 2018
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%3Cp%3EYears%3A%20October%202015%20-%20June%202024%3Cbr%3ETotal%20games%3A%20491%3Cbr%3EWin%20percentage%3A%2060.9%25%3Cbr%3EMajor%20trophies%3A%206%20(Premier%20League%20x%201%2C%20Champions%20League%20x%201%2C%20FA%20Cup%20x%201%2C%20League%20Cup%20x%202%2C%20Fifa%20Club%20World%20Cup%20x1)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
The specs: 2018 Maserati Ghibli
Price, base / as tested: Dh269,000 / Dh369,000
Engine: 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged V6
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Power: 355hp @ 5,500rpm
Torque: 500Nm @ 4,500rpm
Fuel economy, combined: 8.9L / 100km
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Credit Score explained
What is a credit score?
In the UAE your credit score is a number generated by the Al Etihad Credit Bureau (AECB), which represents your credit worthiness – in other words, your risk of defaulting on any debt repayments. In this country, the number is between 300 and 900. A low score indicates a higher risk of default, while a high score indicates you are a lower risk.
Why is it important?
Financial institutions will use it to decide whether or not you are a credit risk. Those with better scores may also receive preferential interest rates or terms on products such as loans, credit cards and mortgages.
How is it calculated?
The AECB collects information on your payment behaviour from banks as well as utilitiy and telecoms providers.
How can I improve my score?
By paying your bills on time and not missing any repayments, particularly your loan, credit card and mortgage payments. It is also wise to limit the number of credit card and loan applications you make and to reduce your outstanding balances.
How do I know if my score is low or high?
By checking it. Visit one of AECB’s Customer Happiness Centres with an original and valid Emirates ID, passport copy and valid email address. Liv. customers can also access the score directly from the banking app.
How much does it cost?
A credit report costs Dh100 while a report with the score included costs Dh150. Those only wanting the credit score pay Dh60. VAT is payable on top.
Most sought after workplace benefits in the UAE
- Flexible work arrangements
- Pension support
- Mental well-being assistance
- Insurance coverage for optical, dental, alternative medicine, cancer screening
- Financial well-being incentives
