Qatari dignitaries including HE the Minister of Education and Higher Education Buthaina bint Ali al-Nuaimi and HE the Minister of Communications and Information Technology Mohammed bin Ali bin Mohammed al-Mannai, joined the British Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi MP, the UK Defence Senior Advisor for the Middle East, Air Marshal Martin Sampson, British Ambassador to Qatar, Jon Wilks graced the occasion.
Guests included the British community, the diplomatic corps, representatives of the international business community as well as media, educational, cultural and sporting figures including the UK Olympian Sir Steve Redgrave.
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The British Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi MP addressing the event.
The event celebrated the strong partnership between Qatar and the UK and the current progress in relations between the two countries, their governments and peoples, the British Embassy said in a statement. Guests were kept entertained by the talents of the Qatar Armed Forces Band and Doha Jazz.
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Gulf Times Editor-in-Chief Faisal Abdulhameed al-Mudahka with the British Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi MP at the event.
The UK’s Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi said: “I am so proud to be here with you today and hope the mutual affection and respect that exists between our two countries will only deepen over time.
“In 1979, Queen Elizabeth II was the first female head of state to visit Qatar. In doing so, she began a firm friendship between our two countries that has just been celebrated with a Memorandum of Understanding.
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British Ambassador to Qatar, Jon Wilks greeting a guest
“Britain is an outward-looking, diverse nation and we have always valued international collaboration - it is more crucial now than ever before. If we share our experiences, we can learn from one another, and create better futures through education.”
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The British Secretary of State for Education Nadhim Zahawi MP and British Ambassador to Qatar Jon Wilks with a group of guests.
In his speech, ambassador Wilks said: “Throughout decades of tremendous change in international affairs and at home, The Queen has been a source of continuity and stability. With a power to transcend politics and geography, she has touched the lives of millions beyond our shores. She has been our premier diplomat. No one has done more to strengthen the bonds of friendship, understanding and respect between the UK and the rest of the world”
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The Qatar Armed Forces Band performing at the event
Reflecting on his two years in Doha, Wilks said: “Since my arrival in March 2020 relations between our two countries have witnessed important growth with positive results that benefit our two peoples. Last week’s visit of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani to the UK was a welcome chance to celebrate our great and historic relations and plan to take them to a higher level in future. Agreements on increased co-operation in investment, energy and support for WC22 were all very positive. Perhaps though none was more welcome in Qatar than Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s announcement of the planned lifting of visas for Qatari citizens visiting the UK from 2023.
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Doha Jazz on stage at the celebrations
We are historic partners who recognise that we are becoming more important to each other in the face of common challenges and great opportunities. It is my honour and good fortune to be UK Ambassador to Qatar at such a promising time”.
The British Embassy thanked the event's platinum sponsors Alfardan Automotive and BAE Systems, gold sponsors HSBC, Gleeds, Deloitte and LuLu. The mission also thanked the Edge picture and Marsa Malaz Kempinski team for their support.
Queen Elizabeth II is the first British monarch to celebrate 70 years on the throne. Her great-great-grandmother Queen Victoria was the previous longest-serving monarch, reigning for 63 years before she died in 1901.