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Middle EastUAE

Forty days of mourning declared after the Emir of Abu Dhabi dies

The President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Abu Dhabi has died.

His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan died on May 13th 2022 at the age of 73. He is succeeded as Emir of Abu Dhabi by the Crown Prince, Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Ministry of Presidential Affairs has announced a mourning period of forty days. Flags are now at half mast.

Work and business has been suspended for three days in all ministries and private firms.

State mourning has also been announced in Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Lebanon.

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan had been President of the United Arab Emirates and Emir of Abu Dhabi since 2004.

Queen Rania of Jordan shared her condolences, writing on social media: ”Today we share the grief of the beloved people of the United Arab Emirates in mourning the great loss of their President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who was renowned for his noble deeds and stances. May his soul rest in peace.”

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson also paid tribute, saying: ”I am deeply saddened to hear of the death of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi.”

Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan was born in 1948, the eldest son of Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and Hassa bint Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan. He attended the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. His father became Emir of Abu Dhabi in 1966 and he was named Crown Prince in 1969.

He was married to Shamsa bint Suhail Al Mazrouei and they had eight children. Their son, Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, has succeeded him as Emir of Abu Dhabi and is currently the acting President of the United Arab Emirates.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.