We know her mostly for her trademark hats, because she rarely talks about herself. She is the only person allowed to drive in the UK without a license. She loves horse riding and football, and has a sense of humor. During a low-key trip in Scotland, American tourists asked her where she lived. She said she had a house nearby, and when they asked if she had ever met the queen, she pointed at her policeman and said: “No, but he has.”
Queen Elizabeth II, the world’s longest-reigning monarch, is the subject of historical drama “The Crown,” which takes place from 1947 until 1955. Based on meticulous factual research, this book is primarily meant to entertain. Robert Lacey enlivens the narrative with tangy details that pique our interest and raise our adrenaline. The story focuses on Elizabeth Windsor and Philip Mountbatten, their marriage and their life together until 1955.
Despite his title, Philip Prince of Greece had no Greek blood. “I’m part Danish, part German and part Russian. I can go to practically any country in Europe, and there’s a relation there I stay with,” he told his close friend Mike Parker, who became his private secretary.
His aristocratic genes gave him a self-assurance that Princess Elizabeth noticed during their first meeting in 1939 at the Royal Naval College in Dartmouth. She was only 13-years-old at the time, but according to Sir John Wheeler-Bennet, who wrote the official biography of King George VI, Princess Elizabeth had been in love with her cousin from the first time she saw him.
He mother was not sure she was making the right choice, but nothing could stop her. Prince Philip proposed in the summer of 1946 and was accepted. The marriage was planned for the following year at Westminster Abbey. A day before the wedding, King George VI conferred the title “duke of Edinburgh” upon his future son-in-law and authorized the use of the prefix “his royal highness.”
The wedding was a moment of joy shared by the whole nation, as was the birth of Prince Charles a year later. But as the king’s health worsened, it became clear that she would have to replace her parents on the long royal tour to Kenya, Ceylon, Australia and New Zealand.
Princess Elizabeth and her husband arrived in February 1952 at the legendary Treetops Hotel in Aberdare National Park in Kenya. She was writing a letter to her father when her husband informed her of his death.
According to Martin Charteris, her private secretary: “She was sitting erect, fully accepting her destiny.” He was struck by the composure of the new queen, who insisted on personally drafting the telegrams of apology to those expecting her on the now-canceled tour.
When she met with her accession council in St. James Palace, she declared: “I shall always work, as my father did throughout his reign, to uphold the constitutional government and to advance the happiness and prosperity of my peoples.”
Within a few months, the duke of Edinburgh would also lose three of the things that gave him so much pleasure: His naval career, his family home and his family name. Upon his wife’s accession to the throne, they had to leave the cosy Clarence House and live in Buckingham Palace. But what hurt Prince Philip most was the loss of his family name. He complained that he was “the only man in the country not allowed to give his name to his children.”
Theresa May is the 13th prime minister to serve Queen Elizabeth. When she was asked which prime minister she enjoyed meeting the most, she answered: “Winston (Churchill), of course, because it was always such fun.” Churchill first met the queen when she was two-and-a-half-years-old. At that time, he declared: “She is a character. She has an air of authority and reflectiveness astonishing in an infant.”
More than 20 years later, in 1953, he gave some advice to the queen, who was preparing to tour the Commonwealth: “Never let them see the real Elizabeth Windsor… The camera, the television. Never let them see that carrying the crown is often a burden. Let them look at you, but let them see only the eternal.”
Mission accomplished. “I am aware that I am surrounded by people who feel they could do the job better, strong people with powerful characters, more natural leaders,” she said. “But for better or for worse, the crown has landed on my head.”
Book Review: A look at the woman behind the crown
Book Review: A look at the woman behind the crown
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Manga exhibition in Jeddah explores evolution of Japanese artform
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- Event strengthens bonds of friendship, cooperation between Kingdom and Japan, says consul-general
JEDDAH: As Saudi Arabia and Japan celebrate 70 years of diplomatic relations, the Consulate-General of Japan in Jeddah is marking the milestone with Manga Hokusai Manga, a three-week art exhibition running until March 8.
Organized in collaboration with the Jeddah Historical Development Project and the Japan Foundation, the exhibition explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.
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Hosted at Bait Amir Bahar in Al-Balad, one of Jeddah’s historic homes, the exhibition highlights both the similarities and contrasts between the artistic styles while showcasing the cultural depth of Japanese storytelling.
Rather than simply focusing on how Hokusai’s work influenced manga, the exhibition invites visitors to compare both styles and understand what makes them unique. It examines themes such as visual storytelling, artistic techniques and cultural participation across different eras.
HIGHLIGHT
The exhibition in Jeddah explores the evolution of Japanese manga from the 19th-century works of ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai to the modern format that has gained widespread popularity in the Kingdom.
Hokusai’s manga drawings, while sometimes resembling cartoons, encompass a wide variety of subjects, from nature to human expressions and everyday life. Unlike modern comics, his work was not centered on humor but balanced artistic instruction with entertainment — much like how manga today combines storytelling with visual artistry.
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Hokusai created his manga using woodblock printing, transferring the images onto paper in three primary colors: Black, gray and pale peach. The collection, comprising 4,000 illustrations across almost 800 pages, was published between 1814 and 1878 in 15 volumes bound with string.
The phrase denshin kaishu, which precedes the title, translates to “transmitting the spirit and learning the craft,” highlighting the collection’s educational purpose.
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Hokusai Manga was originally used as a reference book for aspiring artists, much like today’s “How to Draw Manga” guides. Similar to modern fan-made manga, his work encouraged learning, copying and artistic experimentation.
In an exclusive interview with Arab News, Daisuke Yamamoto, the consul-general of Japan in Jeddah, described Hokusai as one of Japan’s greatest artists, modernizing traditional print styles through innovations in subject matter and composition.
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“Hokusai transformed the ukiyo-e genre traditionally focused on images of fleeting pleasures — by shifting its emphasis from people to landscapes and the changing seasons,” Yamamoto said. “His print designs invited audiences to witness nature’s transience, capturing birds in flight, flowers in bloom and water in motion. Through his work, he blended an acute awareness of the fleeting with a deep appreciation for the timeless.”
According to an official statement, Hokusai’s work captured Japan’s diverse landscapes, portraying scenes and activities connected by shared symbols and narratives. He was among the first artists to both shape and be shaped by globalization, drawing from international influences and later inspiring European artists who adopted his decorative motifs, serialized compositions and vision of contemporary society. To this day, countless artists continue to engage with his legacy.
(This exhibition) provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.
Daisuke Yamamoto, Consul-general of Japan in Jeddah
Reflecting on the exhibition’s significance, Yamamoto highlighted its role in strengthening cultural ties between Saudi Arabia and Japan: “Holding this exhibition and other cultural events basically confirmed the excellent cultural cooperation between Japan and Saudi Arabia, and strengthens the bonds of friendship and cooperation, and provides an opportunity for a wide range of people to know about each other’s culture, which will be reflected in the future in their understanding of each other and facilitate all other aspects of cooperation.”
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Since the 1970s, Hokusai himself has appeared as a character in manga, reimagined by various artists in styles ranging from realistic portrayals to fantastical interpretations. This reflects manga’s evolution, blending historical figures with contemporary storytelling techniques.
Ukiyo-e, the popular art of the 18th and 19th centuries, foreshadowed comic techniques such as visualizing the invisible. However, its speech-like balloons often depicted dreams rather than dialogue, and weather lines were integrated into the scene rather than used as abstract symbols.
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Hokusai’s most popular collection of printed drawings was named “manga.” While the collection is primarily known for its diverse subjects and painting style, its frequent portrayal of exaggerated expressions and acrobatic scenes has led many to associate “manga” with cartoons or humorous images.
When compared to the work of his contemporary, Utagawa Kuniyoshi, it becomes clear that Hokusai’s manga images were not necessarily intended to be funny.
In 19th-century Japan, the success of Hokusai’s manga was rooted in the balance between the mundane and the whimsical, instruction and entertainment. This blend helped secure the collection’s lasting appeal.
Today’s Japanese comics share similarities in content, particularly in their focus on capturing movement, and in their wide circulation, thanks to advancements in reproduction technology.
Medhat Shafik’s ‘Odyssey’ on show at Riyadh’s Errm Gallery
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RIYADH: Riyadh’s Errm Gallery is hosting an exhibition by Italy-based Egyptian artist Medhat Shafik until March 31.
Titled “Odyssey,” the showcase features select works by the artist who won Egypt’s first Venice Biennale award in 1995.
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Shafik, born in El-Badari, Egypt, in 1956, has lived and worked in Italy since 1976. He graduated from Milan’s fine arts Brera Academy with a diploma in painting and set design. Shafik built up a reputation for blending the colors and lines of Orientalist art forms with the visual vocabulary of Western avant-garde movements.
“This is my first exhibition in Riyadh,” Shafik remarked to Arab News. “I found it very welcoming and hospitable. This was expected, as the people of the Gulf and the Arab world have a long history dating back to the time of the Pharaohs. I feel a close connection between these ancient civilizations; it resonates with my travels.”
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Inspired by the poetry of Greek poet Constantine P. Cavafy, the exhibition explores the concept of “life (as) a continuous journey, filled with experiences that enrich our understanding of existence,” the artist explained.
Known for his use of mixed media, the artist often employs materials that have been discarded. “I feel like an archaeologist, digging to uncover fragments of history,” he said.
One unique piece depicts an archaeological formation resembling a half-moon, with mixed media mounted on a large-scale canvas.
Layali Diriyah brings art, culture, global flavors to its 4th edition
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- Host of winter entertainment options celebrate ancient Saudi city’s history, identity
- Food, luxury retail, hands-on heritage activities among visitor attractions
RIYADH: Layali Diriyah, the immersive winter entertainment experience, is offering a range of cultural and culinary experiences that celebrate the identity and history of the ancient city of Diriyah.
Now in its fourth edition, the event offers live music, light displays, and a number of restaurants.
Asma Al-Shehri, one of the visitors, told Arab News: “The place is absolutely stunning, and it’s even more well-prepared than I expected. What impressed me the most was the incredible hospitality — the organizers are everywhere, ready to assist and welcome you.”
Layali Diriyah opened on Feb. 12, 2025 as part of Diriyah Season 24/25.
Food lovers can indulge in a selection of flavors at six cafes and nine restaurants, featuring both local and international cuisines. The event also includes 13 luxury retail stores, giving visitors access to renowned brands, unique handcrafted items, and winter-inspired food and beverage stalls.
A highlight of this year’s event is the “Chef’s Table Experience,” where visitors can enjoy exclusive dishes prepared for the occasion. This fine-dining experience, with its elegant winter atmosphere, adds a luxurious touch to the vibrant energy of Layali Diriyah.
Standout features of this year’s event include interactive art installations such as the palm frond bridge. Other attractions include traditional swings and live folk performances.
Visitors can also engage in hands-on heritage activities that celebrate Diriyah’s historical significance, allowing them to experience the traditions and customs that define the region.
Entry to Layali Diriyah is SR185 ($49) per person. Alternatively, visitors can book a table at one of the participating restaurants and pay the entrance fee through The Chefz app. The event also provides a shuttle service from designated parking areas.
Inside the AlMuqtani Gallery at the Diriyah Islamic Arts Biennale in Jeddah
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- The gallery showcases works from the collections of Qatar’s Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani and Saudi collector Rifaat Sheikh El-Ard
RIYADH: The second edition of the Diriyah Biennale Foundation's Islamic Arts Biennale is themed “And All That Is In Between.” The title draws from the Qur’anic verse “And God created the Heavens and the Earth and all that is in between” and, of the biennale’s seven sections, the one that arguably best represents this connection between the earthly and spiritual realms is AlMuqtani (which means homage in Arabic).
Here, curator Amin Jaffer showcases the connection of the material world to the spiritual realm through rare pieces from two notable collections: those of Qatari royal Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah Al-Thani and Saudi collector Rifaat Sheikh El-Ard, owner of the Furusiyya Collection.
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The Al-Thani Collection, of which Jaffer is also the director, reflects the varied tastes of its founder, who began collecting works of art at the age of 18. Today, it includes more than 5,000 objects spanning multiple civilizations and geographies and is known for its superb collection of precious materials and objects. Its breadth and vision reflect Sheikh Hamad's early exposure to museums such as the Louvre in Paris, which he visited with his mother as a young boy.
Art from the Islamic world, however, holds particular importance for Sheikh Hamad, reflecting his own culture and upbringing as well as his ties and inspiration drawn from his friendships with Sheikh Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, founder of Dar Al-Athar al-Islamiyyah in Kuwait, and Sheikh Saoud bin Mohamed Al-Thani, who developed the collection of the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha. Jaffer says that Sheikh’s Hamad’s acquisitions are guided by the aesthetic and cultural significance of each piece, regardless of its era.
“The Al-Thani collection has more than 5,000 works art, from neolithic to contemporary,” Jaffer tells Arab News. “The Islamic collection is relatively small, and what we are showing is the highlights from that part of the collection, focusing on the variety, whether manuscripts, miniature painting works in metal, or glass jewelry.”
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Selections from the collection have previously been exhibited at prestigious institutions worldwide, including the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, the Forbidden City in Beijing, and the State Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, and highlights are now housed in a dedicated space at l'Hôtel de la Marine, a historic monument in Paris.
The second part of the gallery is dedicated to a selection of objects of chivalric culture, including arms and armor from the Islamic world from El-Ard’s collection, which he began in 1980. He decided to concentrate his acquisitions on the often overlooked area of weaponry from the Islamic world. The collection now contains more than 1,000 pieces, including rare examples of some of the most remarkable Islamic weapons ever crafted.
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While the collection’s primary focus is on Islamic arms and armor, it has now expanded to include exceptional pieces of metalwork and other materials, many of which have never been publicly shown until now.
Both collections comprise objects ranging from the Umayyad to Ottoman periods exuding breathtaking beauty and meticulously rendered craftsmanship.
“AlMuqtani is very much about beauty,” says Jaffer. “The material or the tangible comes across. Unlike the other galleries, which have very strong stories, or have objects grouped to tell a very particular message, that is not the case here. It’s about the individual works of art and the taste and vision of the collectors. When people ask me what unites these objects, I would say the unifying factor is the collectors.
“Both men are deeply, deeply involved in every aspect of the collection,” he continues. “But the most important point is acquisition. These pieces reflect, above all, the taste and the sensibilities of these two men. Through the curation of this gallery, we wanted visitors to become lost in the experience of the aesthetics of each object.”
Akon, Lil Baby to headline MDLBEAST concerts at Formula E Prix Jeddah 2025
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DUBAI: Akon and Lil Baby are set to perform at the Formula E Prix this weekend in Jeddah, MDLBEAST announced on Thursday.
The global music powerhouse is bringing the stars to the Jeddah Corniche Circuit on Feb. 14 and 15, adding a dynamic entertainment element to the high-speed racing event.
Akon, the Senegalese American singer, producer and entrepreneur known for hits like “Smack That” and “Lonely,” will take the stage on Feb. 14.
Sharing the night with him are Egyptian singer Ruby and rap sensation Wegz.
On Feb. 15, Atlanta rap star Lil Baby — renowned for chart-toppers like “Drip Too Hard” and “Woah” — will bring his signature energy to the stage.
The night will also feature Kuwaiti group Miami Band and Egyptian electronic trio Disco Misr.