WAM Dubai, Apr 26th, 2012 (WAM)--The British Embassy in Dubai celebrated here on Thursday Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's birthday.

The event took place at the Embassy Gardens and was attended by special guest Dr Rashid Ahmed bin Fahd Minister of Environment and Water, Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr Al Qasimi, Sheikh Jumaa Al Maktoum, Issa Saleh Al Gurg, a number of senior dignitaries, business families and representatives of diplomatic missions in the UAE.

Also present was Her Majesty's Ambassador to the UAE Dominic Jermey.

The celebration was launched by playing the National Anthems of the UAE and the United Kingdom followed by cake cutting and a speech by Her Majesty Consul General Guy Warrington.

The guests enjoyed the music and the marching display by HM's Royal Marine Band. They also enjoyed the lovely Bentley cars displayed in the Embassy Gardens.

Her Majesty's Consul General Guy Warrington said: "This is a particularly important year for Her Majesty and one in which more than ever we should be sending her our regards. The Diamond Jubilee in June marks 60 years of Her Majesty the Queen's Accession to the throne in 1952. The Queen is Britain's second longest reigning monarch after Queen Victoria and we salute her today for her dedication and selfless service over the past six decades".

He added that the trade and Investment is at the heart of the relationship between the UK and UAE and the figures speak for themselves. "Trade in goods and services was ?10bn in 2011, and our two governments have pledged to reach a bilateral trade goal of ?12bn by 2015. Over 4,000 British business operate in the UAE and in the last year alone, UK Trade '&' Investment gave advice to 2,000 British businesses on doing business here." Warrington said British citizens have been welcomed to the UAE with the warmth and spirit that have come to define the Emirates. He added that the resident British community in the UAE numbers 100,000 and a further one million British nationals visit every year. The Embassy in Dubai operates one of the biggest consular operations in the world to support the British Community here.

"I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the colleagues in our Embassies both past and present who have made this job one of the best in the world. I am extremely proud to have worked with them", he said.

WAM/MN