HM King meets HM Queen Elizabeth II

Windsor, May 10 (BNA): His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa met today Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland at the the Royal Windsor Racecourse of the Windsor Great Park. The meeting was held on the occasion of HM the King’s attendance of the international Royal Windsor Horse Show at an invitation by HM Queen Elizabeth II. HM the King and HM Queen Elizabeth II exchanged talks on outstanding historical relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UK and growing cooperation between both countries in various fields. They also exchanged talks on the endurance festivals held in both countries and their importance in promoting this inherent sport locally and internationally. HM the King praised the UK’s glorious history in the equestrian sport and the organisation of horse races, stressing Bahrain’s keenness on participating in various sporting events held in the UK, in general, and the Royal Windsor Horse Show, in particular. HM also met Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Almarhum Sultan Iskandar Al-Haj of Johor Province, the Duke of York His Royal Highness Prince Andrew, Minister of State for European and African Affairs Sir Alan Duncan, members of the House of Lords and parliamentarians. HM King Hamad and HM Queen Elizabeth II watched part of the International Endurance Race, held over 120 kms with the participation of a number of jockeys from Bahrain captained by Representative of HM the King for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa. SCYS First Deputy Chairman, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and Bahrain Athletics Association and Captain of Al-Khalidia Stable HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa also participated alongside other jockeys from Bahrain as well as the Gulf and European countries. Then, HM the King bid farewell to HM Queen Elizabeth II. After that, the Bahraini jockeys greeted HM the King who lauded their efforts and good results in this major sporting event which asserts keenness to contribute to the success of the international race and reflects distinguished relations between the two friendly countries and peoples. Earlier, HM the King arrived at the Royal Windsor Racecourse where he was welcomed by Representative of HM the King for Charity Work and Youth Affairs, Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS) and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, SCYS First Deputy Chairman, President of Bahrain Olympic Committee and Bahrain Athletics Association and Captain of Al-Khalidia Stable HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, President of Bahrain Royal Equestrian and Endurance Federation (BREEF) HH Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Environment and senior organisers of the race. HH Shaikh Nasser presented a briefing to HM the King on the stages and distance of the race as well as the number of participating horse riders. HM King Hamad lauded the efforts made by HH Shaikh Nasser and HH Shaikh Khalid to develop the equestrian and endurance sport which has an international popularity, commending the role of BREEF in this regard and its keenness to participate in various regional, Arab and international competitions. He also praised the outstanding results brought about by Bahraini jockeys which reflected their competence and capabilities to uphold the kingdom’s image in various international sporting events.