The guardsmen who were widely praised for carrying Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin with “precision and reverence” are said to have returned to their duties in Iraq to continue with a counter-ISIS mission.
The group of eight men were handpicked from the Queen’s Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards, for the task of shouldering the late monarch’s coffin at a series of events in London after her death. This included her final journey home to Windsor on the day of her state funeral, the largest event for decades in British royal history.
As millions around the world watched the televised events, the troops were lauded for showing respect and honour under a huge amount of pressure ― some people called for them to be awarded with medals or even knighthoods.
The men were on duty in Iraq when the sovereign died peacefully at Balmoral on September 8 and were flown to the UK to prepare for ceremonial events. The climax of the ceremonies was the funeral on September 19, in which the men carried the coffin into Westminster Abbey trailed by King Charles III and other members of the royal family.
'They are fighting soldiers first and foremost'
Some of the Grenadier Guards have since returned to a base in Iraq, The Express reported, to continue in their roles under the Nato Mission Iraq. The initiative assists Iraqi authorities in building more effective security institutions and armed forces to better enable them to fight terrorism. A key aim of the mission is also to prevent a return of ISIS. In 2014 the terrorist group seized vast areas of Iraq, driving security forces from their posts, seizing Mosul and carrying out massacres against civilians, especially those from minority groups.
ISIS was declared defeated in Iraq in late 2017 but has continued to launch hit-and-run raids.
A senior source in the British Army confirmed to the newspaper that the men had returned to Iraq.
“It is this sharp contrast that the men find so appealing,” the insider said.
“If they only carried out ceremonial duties, I think it would lose its lustre. These are fighting soldiers first and foremost.”
The group of men shot to fame after appearing on live TV broadcasts carrying the queen’s coffin into Westminster Hall for her lying in state. A week later they were on duty again at her state funeral, and were praised for carrying out the duty in an honourable way.
“Precision, reverence, solemnity. My utmost respect for the soldiers from Queen's Company, 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards lifting HM’s coffin, the Royal Navy personnel hauling the gun carriage and all those participating,” radio host Kevin Hughes wrote on Twitter.
“The eight soldiers who carried the queen’s coffin, pretty incredible, can’t imagine the responsibility and the pressure they must have been feeling,” Coby Budge tweeted.
“Quite remarkable,” Jack Halliwell said in response. “I certainly wouldn't have been able to do it, to carry it all that way under that pressure with the weight of the coffin too.”
Carla Lockhart, Upper Bann’s Democratic Unionist Party MP, said: “Amidst the pageantry and occasion, eight young men silently went about their duty.
“The weight of the world on their shoulders, the glare of the world on them, but they were flawless.
“They did themselves, their families and our country proud. Thank you.”
The guardsmen’s unit had a close connection with the queen ― as the serving monarch she held the position of company commander and made a personal review of the company every decade.
The Queen’s Company may later change its name to reflect the new king.
Former British Army soldier Maj Adrian Weale said the role of the company is “to protect her body, both in life and in death, remaining the Queen’s Company until King Charles decides otherwise”.
“Their duties will then be transitioned to the next monarch,” he said.
Queen Elizabeth II's funeral: extraordinary images from an extraordinary day - in pictures
Teaching your child to save
Pre-school (three - five years)
You can’t yet talk about investing or borrowing, but introduce a “classic” money bank and start putting gifts and allowances away. When the child wants a specific toy, have them save for it and help them track their progress.
Early childhood (six - eight years)
Replace the money bank with three jars labelled ‘saving’, ‘spending’ and ‘sharing’. Have the child divide their allowance into the three jars each week and explain their choices in splitting their pocket money. A guide could be 25 per cent saving, 50 per cent spending, 25 per cent for charity and gift-giving.
Middle childhood (nine - 11 years)
Open a bank savings account and help your child establish a budget and set a savings goal. Introduce the notion of ‘paying yourself first’ by putting away savings as soon as your allowance is paid.
Young teens (12 - 14 years)
Change your child’s allowance from weekly to monthly and help them pinpoint long-range goals such as a trip, so they can start longer-term saving and find new ways to increase their saving.
Teenage (15 - 18 years)
Discuss mutual expectations about university costs and identify what they can help fund and set goals. Don’t pay for everything, so they can experience the pride of contributing.
Young adulthood (19 - 22 years)
Discuss post-graduation plans and future life goals, quantify expenses such as first apartment, work wardrobe, holidays and help them continue to save towards these goals.
* JP Morgan Private Bank
Ziina users can donate to relief efforts in Beirut
Ziina users will be able to use the app to help relief efforts in Beirut, which has been left reeling after an August blast caused an estimated $15 billion in damage and left thousands homeless. Ziina has partnered with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees to raise money for the Lebanese capital, co-founder Faisal Toukan says. “As of October 1, the UNHCR has the first certified badge on Ziina and is automatically part of user's top friends' list during this campaign. Users can now donate any amount to the Beirut relief with two clicks. The money raised will go towards rebuilding houses for the families that were impacted by the explosion.”
The biog
Family: Parents and four sisters
Education: Bachelor’s degree in business management and marketing at American University of Sharjah
A self-confessed foodie, she enjoys trying out new cuisines, her current favourite is the poke superfood bowls
Likes reading: autobiographies and fiction
Favourite holiday destination: Italy
Posts information about challenges, events, runs in other emirates on the group's Instagram account @Anagowrunning
Has created a database of Emirati and GCC sportspeople on Instagram @abeermk, highlight: Athletes
Apart from training, also talks to women about nutrition, healthy lifestyle, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure
Usain Bolt's time for the 100m at major championships
2008 Beijing Olympics 9.69 seconds
2009 Berlin World Championships 9.58
2011 Daegu World Championships Disqualified
2012 London Olympics 9.63
2013 Moscow World Championships 9.77
2015 Beijing World Championships 9.79
2016 Rio Olympics 9.81
2017 London World Championships 9.95
Hotel Silence
Auður Ava Ólafsdóttir
Pushkin Press
Which honey takes your fancy?
Al Ghaf Honey
The Al Ghaf tree is a local desert tree which bears the harsh summers with drought and high temperatures. From the rich flowers, bees that pollinate this tree can produce delicious red colour honey in June and July each year
Sidr Honey
The Sidr tree is an evergreen tree with long and strong forked branches. The blossom from this tree is called Yabyab, which provides rich food for bees to produce honey in October and November. This honey is the most expensive, but tastiest
Samar Honey
The Samar tree trunk, leaves and blossom contains Barm which is the secret of healing. You can enjoy the best types of honey from this tree every year in May and June. It is an historical witness to the life of the Emirati nation which represents the harsh desert and mountain environments
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
Is it worth it? We put cheesecake frap to the test.
The verdict from the nutritionists is damning. But does a cheesecake frappuccino taste good enough to merit the indulgence?
My advice is to only go there if you have unusually sweet tooth. I like my puddings, but this was a bit much even for me. The first hit is a winner, but it's downhill, slowly, from there. Each sip is a little less satisfying than the last, and maybe it was just all that sugar, but it isn't long before the rush is replaced by a creeping remorse. And half of the thing is still left.
The caramel version is far superior to the blueberry, too. If someone put a full caramel cheesecake through a liquidiser and scooped out the contents, it would probably taste something like this. Blueberry, on the other hand, has more of an artificial taste. It's like someone has tried to invent this drink in a lab, and while early results were promising, they're still in the testing phase. It isn't terrible, but something isn't quite right either.
So if you want an experience, go for a small, and opt for the caramel. But if you want a cheesecake, it's probably more satisfying, and not quite as unhealthy, to just order the real thing.
If%20you%20go
%3Cp%3EThere%20are%20regular%20flights%20from%20Dubai%20to%20Kathmandu.%20Fares%20with%20Air%20Arabia%20and%20flydubai%20start%20at%20Dh1%2C265.%3Cbr%3EIn%20Kathmandu%2C%20rooms%20at%20the%20Oasis%20Kathmandu%20Hotel%20start%20at%20Dh195%20and%20Dh120%20at%20Hotel%20Ganesh%20Himal.%3Cbr%3EThird%20Rock%20Adventures%20offers%20professionally%20run%20group%20and%20individual%20treks%20and%20tours%20using%20highly%20experienced%20guides%20throughout%20Nepal%2C%20Bhutan%20and%20other%20parts%20of%20the%20Himalayas.%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Our legal consultants
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
Explainer: Tanween Design Programme
Non-profit arts studio Tashkeel launched this annual initiative with the intention of supporting budding designers in the UAE. This year, three talents were chosen from hundreds of applicants to be a part of the sixth creative development programme. These are architect Abdulla Al Mulla, interior designer Lana El Samman and graphic designer Yara Habib.
The trio have been guided by experts from the industry over the course of nine months, as they developed their own products that merge their unique styles with traditional elements of Emirati design. This includes laboratory sessions, experimental and collaborative practice, investigation of new business models and evaluation.
It is led by British contemporary design project specialist Helen Voce and mentor Kevin Badni, and offers participants access to experts from across the world, including the likes of UK designer Gareth Neal and multidisciplinary designer and entrepreneur, Sheikh Salem Al Qassimi.
The final pieces are being revealed in a worldwide limited-edition release on the first day of Downtown Designs at Dubai Design Week 2019. Tashkeel will be at stand E31 at the exhibition.
Lisa Ball-Lechgar, deputy director of Tashkeel, said: “The diversity and calibre of the applicants this year … is reflective of the dynamic change that the UAE art and design industry is witnessing, with young creators resolute in making their bold design ideas a reality.”
500 People from Gaza enter France
115 Special programme for artists
25 Evacuation of injured and sick