Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed attends son's graduation at Sandhurst

Related: Sandhurst - the British military academy that trains Arab royals

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, watched his son graduate from Britain’s Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst on Friday.

Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed completed the gruelling year-long course at the prestigious academy that trains all officers for the British Army.

He follows in a long line of royals who have also passed the course in basic infantry skills, fitness and leadership, including his father Sheikh Mohamed, who served as a lieutenant general in the armed forces.

Sheikh Mohamed, who met the UK's Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Thursday, tweeted: "I was proud to attend the Sovereign's Parade at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, where I met with our Emirati cadets.

"I congratulate all of the cadets from Commissioning Course 201 and I wish them every success in their endeavour to better serve their countries.”

The commandant of Sandhurst told The National that he was proud and impressed by the Emirati contingent that passed through Sandhurst this year.

“I applaud every one of the international cadets including the seven officer cadets from the UAE who commissioned today, who without exception have been extraordinary ambassadors for their country," said Major General Duncan Capps.

"The achievements of our international cadets, and the journeys they have travelled on this course are in most cases greater than for our own people.

“Officer cadet [Sheikh Zayed] produced a superb and rounded performance during his 44 weeks here at The Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. With excellent balance and intuition, he is a young officer with a bright future.”

Noura Al Kaabi, Minister of Culture and Youth, tweeted her congratulations to Sheikh Zayed.

The challenging 44-week course tests both the physical and intellectual skills of officer cadets while also teaching them the values of “service” held by the British Army. Sandhurst also emphasises integrity, valour, loyalty and responsibility.

Sheikh Mohamed's son was one of 200 officers who graduated during the Sovereign's Parade that marks the passing out from Sandhurst of officer cadets who have completed the Commissioning Course.

Under cloudy but mild weather conditions, they formed up in ranks three-deep and marched across Old College Square in front of family, friends and VIPs.

Also in attendance was Sheikh Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, the Crown Prince of Ajman. The two men watched on as Sheikh Humaid bin Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, received the International Award during the Sovereign’s Parade, a high point for Commissioning Course 201 at Sandhurst.

The UAE is believed to be the Arab country with the largest number of Sandhurst graduates, with almost 300 commissioning as officers.

All courses seek to produce officers with the fundamentals of soldiering.

He also spent time in the Zayed Building, the new accommodation block named after the UAE’s founding ruler built following a £15m ($19.82m) donation from the Emirates.

Other royals to have graduated from Sandhurst include Crown Prince of Dubai Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, King Abdullah of Jordan and King Hamad of Bahrain. Prince William and Prince Harry also graduated from the academy more than a decade ago.

Sandhurst through the ages