UAE leaders congratulate Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II on her birthday

UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed and Dubai’s ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid sent messages of congratulations to Queen Elizabeth II as Britain’s monarch turned 93 on Easter Sunday.

Elizabeth II last visited the UAE in 2010 with her husband Prince Philip, where she met Sheikh Khalifa, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid and Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

Her first visit to the UAE was in 1979 where she was welcomed by Sheikh Zayed, founding President of a country that was then only eight years old.

The Queen, who is the longest-serving monarch in British history, has a second official birthday in June as part of a royal tradition that goes back to the 18th century.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Prince Harry and Meghan, sent birthday wishes to the monarch from their new Instagram account, Sussex Royal.

"Happy Birthday Your Majesty, Ma'am, Granny. Wishing you the most wonderful day! Harry & Meghan," the couple, who are expecting their first child, wrote, alongside several pictures of the Queen with her family.

The Kensington Palace Twitter account, which represents Harry’s brother William and his wife, Kate, also congratulated the monarch.

"Wishing a very happy 93rd birthday to Her Majesty The Queen! #HappyBirthdayYourMajesty," Kensington Palace wrote.

The Queen attended a church service to celebrate Easter at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, where she was also joined by a number of her grandchildren and their partners.

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William and Kate were pictured arriving at the church ahead of the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall.

Harry also attended the service without Meghan, who is currently on maternity leave from official duties.

Later on, the Band of the Irish Guards at Buckingham Palace performed a rendition of Happy Birthday in her honour.