Princess Diana’s special relationship with the Middle East 

As Netflix’s The Crown renews interest in the royal, we look back at her love of the region.

Diana, Princess of Wales is forever hitting the headlines. Whether it’s due to her portrayal in the Netflix series The Crown or the furore around the Panorama interview, the public remains interested in the British royal. She first came to the world’s attention as King Charles III’s first wife, and later for her humanitarian work that earned her the title of The People’s Princess.

During her role as a royal, she visited the Middle East on state visits. She had an interest in the region and had Arab and Muslim friends across the world. She had relationships with the British Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan and Egyptian film producer Dodi Al Fayed. Plus, rumours circulated that she was interested in converting to Islam.

Royal visits to the Middle East

Princess Diana first visited the Middle East when she was 25 years old. In 1986, Princess Diana and Prince Charles did a royal tour of the Gulf. They left behind their two children, William and Harry, and visited Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

A note from her Lady in Waiting, Anne Beckwith-Smith, explained: “In all cases, modesty is the order of the day”. Since she was required to dress conservatively, the fashion designers David and Elizabeth Emanual created a burqa. A sketch of the item reveals that it was a full-length white garment with a bow and a slit for her eyes. She packed the dress but it was never used. 

In Saudi Arabia, Princess Diana met with HRH Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in Riyadh. She dined at King Fahd’s palace, but only with women. In the Kingdom, she wore dazzling dresses, from an outfit by Catherine Walker to evening wear by Emmanuels. 

In Oman, Princess Diana and the then Prince Charles posed for photographs on the gorge at Jebel Akhdar. Now, it is a tourist attraction and known as Diana’s Point. Following the trip, the British newspaper Evening Post labelled her “The Queen of the Desert”. 

In 1989, Princess Diana did her second royal tour of the Gulf, which included Kuwait and the UAE. The pair went on a charm offensive, as the trip aimed to boost trade between Britain and the Middle East. The trip included visits to the British Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. She met with HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. She watched a camel race in Al Ain, enjoyed a picnic at Ghabat Raqnah Oasis, and visited Sheikh Zayed’s private majlis.

Princess Diana showed off her sense of style. When she stepped off the plane, she was praised for her respectable and fashionable clothes. She covered her hair with a blue turban hat and an oversized white brim. The outfits ranged from a peach suit with pearls, to a blue and white floral salwar kameez.

Given the impact of Princess Diana’s visits to the Middle East, they will continue to be remembered for generations to come.

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