Historical attire, British fashion reign supreme at King Charles III’s coronation as Arab royals shine

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla (far left), Princess of Wales Kate Middleton (center) and Queen Rania of Jordan showed off a mix of historic and modern attire at the coronation. (Getty Images/ composite)
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Updated 11 May 2023
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Historical attire, British fashion reign supreme at King Charles III’s coronation as Arab royals shine

  • Queen Camilla wore white, floor-length ensemble with gold embroidery by Bruce Oldfield
  • Jordan’s Queen Rania attended coronation in yellow pencil dress by Tamara Ralph
  • Qatar's Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani wore Dior

DUBAI: As the coronation of King Charles III got underway in the UK,  viewers around the world were firmly focused on the pageantry as well as the fashion.

As historic coronation attire — such as crimson robes, ermine capes, and fur-trimmed red-velvet cornets — filled Westminster Abbey in London, the UK’s royal family championed British designers while Arab royals also put on a show.

King Charles arrived at Westminster Abbey in royal ermine over George VI’s crimson Robe of State - conserved by royal restorers  Ede & Ravenscroft and the Royal School of Needlework - and changed into George VI’s purple Robe of Estate to leave the Abbey.




During the crowning ceremony, King Charles was given a shimmering gold-sleeved coat to wear called the Supertunica that was created for George V in 1911 and has been worn at coronations, including by the Queen Elizabeth II. (Getty Images)

During the crowning ceremony, he was given a shimmering gold-sleeved coat to wear called the Supertunica that was created for George V in 1911 and has been worn at coronations, including by the Queen Elizabeth II. The 2kg garment is made of cloth of gold — silk thread wrapped in thin pieces of gold or silver gilt metal — with Arabesque and floral motifs.

On top of the Supertunica, the king wore a floor-length cloak called the Imperial Mantle, which was made in 1821.

Made of cloth of gold, it is embellished with fleur-de-lis, imperial eagles, and national floral emblems of red-pink roses, blue thistles and green shamrocks. It is designed to symbolise the divine nature of kingship.

The king reused a sword belt from 1937 worn by his grandfather, also known as the Coronation Girdle. It is made of embroidered cloth of gold and boasts a gold buckle stamped with national emblems. The single coronation glove, also known as the Coronation Gauntlet, was placed on the king’s right hand in which he held the Sovereign’s Sceptre with Cross during the crowning.

The garments are usually kept in the Tower of London.

The historic St Edward’s Crown was then placed on King Charles III’s head — it was worn for less than one hour before being stored away again in the Tower of London.

Made of 22-carat gold, the 360-year-old crown is more than 30cm tall and weighs just over 2kg. The crown features a gold frame with double arches and is set with rubies, topaz, sapphires, and garnets.




The Imperial State Crown, made in 1937, was worn by the king after the ceremony as he made his way to Buckingham Palace. (Getty Images)

The Imperial State Crown, made in 1937, was worn by the king after the ceremony as he made his way to Buckingham Palace. It has gold framing instead of a fur trim and is mounted with three large stones, including the Cullinan II diamond, while the complementary stones include 2,868 diamonds that appear in silver mounts and colored stones that appear in gold mounts. In addition, 17 sapphires, 11 emeralds, and 269 pearls also feature on the crown.

For her part, Queen Consort Camilla was crowned with Queen Mary’s crown, which was worn by Queen Mary at the coronation of her husband, George V, in 1911 and consists of 2,200 diamonds and the Cullinan III, IV and V diamonds.




Queen Consort Camilla is wearing the coronation necklace made by Garrard for Queen Victoria and given to her in 1858. (Getty Images)

She also wore the coronation necklace made by Garrard for Queen Victoria and given to her in 1858.

It features 25 graduated brilliant diamonds with a 22.48 carat diamond pendant, known as the Lahore Diamond. The necklace was worn by several queen consorts: Queen Alexandra in 1902, Queen Mary in 1911 and Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, in 1937.




Queen Camilla is wearing a white, floor-length ensemble with gold embroidery designed by Bruce Oldfield, OBE, a British fashion designer best known for his couture occasionwear. (Getty Images)

The royal wore a white, floor-length ensemble with gold embroidery designed by Bruce Oldfield, OBE, a British fashion designer best known for his couture occasionwear. Not only has Oldfield maintained a close working relationship with Queen Camilla, but he also designed looks for the late Princess Diana while she was married to then-Prince Charles.




Princess of Wales Kate Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey wearing a formal robe and mantel – reportedly at the request of King Charles and Queen Camilla – worn over an Alexander McQueen dress in ivory silk crepe with silver bullion and thread work embroidery, featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs. (AFP)

Meanwhile, Princess of Wales Kate Middleton arrived at Westminster Abbey wearing a formal robe and mantel – reportedly at the request of King Charles and Queen Camilla – worn over an Alexander McQueen dress in ivory silk crepe with silver bullion and thread work embroidery, featuring rose, thistle, daffodil and shamrock motifs. The fashion label’s creative director Sarah Burton also designed her wedding gown in 2011. 

The Princess of Wales was also wearing a glittering floral headpiece, not a tiara. 

The head topper is a Jess Collet x Alexander McQueen creation and consisted of shimmering silver bullion, crystal, and silver thread leaf embroidery. 

Adding to the stunning jewellery were pearl and diamond earrings that belonged to her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana. She also wore the George VI Festoon Necklace, a piece made in 1950 at the request of King George VI for his daughter Princess Elizabeth (later Queen Elizabeth II).




Prince William, seen beside Princess Kate, wore formal robes and mantels over the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards, again at the request of King Charles and Queen Camilla. (AFP)

Prince William, seen beside Princess Kate, wore formal robes and mantels over the ceremonial dress uniform of the Welsh Guards, again at the request of King Charles and Queen Camilla. 




Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, on the other hand, wore a black three-piece set of tails and military medals on his chest. (AFP)

Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, on the other hand, wore a black three-piece set of tails and military medals on his chest, and had no formal role at the event. 




Queen Rania attended the coronation in a cream-colored pencil dress. (Getty Images)

Jordan’s Queen Rania attended the coronation in a custom-made pastel lemon yellow silk crepe pencil dress by Australian designer Tamara Ralph with a bow-like design around her shoulders and sheer sleeves. She wore a matching hat, in line with the day’s eschewing of tiaras, the Knot Intrecciato Leather Clutch by Italian luxury label Bottega Veneta and Jimmy Choo Romy Pumps in white. 




Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco arrived wearing a lilac-colored traditional dress with a white cape wrapped around her shoulders. (Getty Images)

Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco — the daughter of the late King Hassan II  — arrived wearing a lilac-colored traditional dress with a white cape wrapped around her shoulders. She accessorized her look with glitzy pear-shaped earrings. 




Qatari royal Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani wore a grey heavily embroidered long-sleeved gown. (Getty Images)

Qatari royal Sheikha Jawaher bint Hamad bin Suhaim Al-Thani, the wife and consort of the Emir of Qatar Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, was also in attendance. She wore a grey heavily embroidered long-sleeved gown from Dior’s Fall/Winter 2022 Couture collection and an off-white floor-length cape.




US singer Katy Perry, who will perform at the coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday, was dressed in a fitted lilac short-sleeved skirt suit by British label Vivienne Westwood with matching opera gloves and statement hat. (AFP)

Among the celebrity guests were actress Emma Thompson in an Emilia Wickstead red coat adorned with rose designs and US singer Katy Perry, who will perform at the coronation concert in Windsor on Sunday, dressed in a fitted lilac short-sleeved skirt suit by British label Vivienne Westwood with matching opera gloves and statement hat.

Veteran actresses Maggie Smith and Judi Dench, who has portrayed both Queen Elizabeth I and Queen Victoria on screen, chose different shades of blue, while US singer Lionel Richie opted for Esclot London attire.


Bella Hadid’s Orabella launches new collabaration

Updated 22 June 2025
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Bella Hadid’s Orabella launches new collabaration

DUBAI: American Dutch Palestinian supermodel Bella Hadid is expanding her beauty brand, Orebella, into the world of accessories — and she’s doing it with a little help from her close friends.

Hadid has teamed up with Wildflower Cases co-founders Sydney and Devon Lee Carlson to launch a limited-edition collaboration featuring two dreamy new products: an iPhone case and a “Scentable Wristlet.”

Bella Hadid has teamed up with Wildflower Cases co-founders Sydney and Devon Lee Carlson to launch a limited-edition collaboration featuring two dreamy new products: an iPhone case and a “Scentable Wristlet.” (Instagram)

Hadid took to Instagram to announce the launch, writing, “Feeling like the luckiest girl in the world to be able to be creative with my beauty boss sisters. Life is beautiful when we have the opportunity to watch our friends winning. So proud of you two. So proud of our teams. So proud of us. Love you all — thank you for bringing this vision to life.

“Cases ANDDDD our most special scented wristlets to keep the orebella scent of your choice on you at all times! Been wanting to make this accessory for a while, had the idea for scented bracelets and wristlets, and my sisters pulled it all together for us. Love you guys so much,” she added.

Teased earlier on Instagram through behind-the-scenes campaign shots, the collaboration blends Orebella’s fragrance-forward ethos with Wildflower’s unique phone accessory style.

The iPhone case is designed with a celestial sky motif and a delicate crescent moon, channeling Hadid’s signature mystical aesthetic — part of what the trio call a “girl gang collection,” celebrating the friendship between Bella, Devon, and Sydney.

Meanwhile, the Scentable Wristlet introduces a functional — and fragrant — twist. Designed to hold a small vial of Orebella’s signature scent, the wristlet allows users to carry their favorite fragrance with them wherever they go, seamlessly merging style with sensory self-expression.

Orebella, which launched in May last year with a sell-out line of clean fragrance mists, is rooted in Hadid’s love of scent layering, spirituality, and beauty rituals.

Hadid wrote on her website at the time: “For me, fragrance has always been at the center of my life — helping me feel in charge of who I am and my surroundings. From my home to nostalgic memories, to my own energy and connection with others, scent has been an outlet for me. It made me feel safe in my own world.”


Co-founder of digital platform The Open Crate shares Art Basel top picks

Updated 21 June 2025
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Co-founder of digital platform The Open Crate shares Art Basel top picks

BASEL: Tunisian art expert Amina Debbiche, who co-founded digital art platform The Open Crate alongside Nora Mansour, shares her top artworks from Switzerland’s Art Basel contemporary art fair, which wraps up on Sunday.

Amina Debbiche. (Supplied)

The Open Crate allows clients to digitalize their entire collection, whether it be artwork, design objects or luxury items.

Yto Barrada at Sfeir-Semler Gallery

“I first discovered Yto Barrada’s work at the Arsenale during the 2011 Venice Biennale and was instantly captivated by her poetic and political approach. Since then, I’ve followed her brilliant trajectory across film, photography, textiles, and installation. Born in Paris and raised in Tangier, her practice explores themes of memory, displacement, and resistance. We’ve now come full circle - she will represent France at the upcoming Venice Biennale, curated by Myriam Ben Salah.”

Yto Barrada’s work at Art Basel. (Supplied)

 Alia Farid’s ‘Elsewhere’ at Art Basel Unlimited

Alia Farid’s ‘Elsewhere’ at Art Basel Unlimited. (Supplied)

“Alia Farid’s ‘Elsewhere’ deeply moved me with its layered storytelling and political tenderness. The work maps Arab and South Asian migration to Latin America and the Caribbean through handwoven rugs made with Iraqi weavers. It documents hybrid identities, memory, and solidarity across geographies. I’ve long admired how Alia reclaims overlooked narratives with such poetic clarity. Her voice feels both urgent and timeless.”

Eunnam Hong’s ‘Safeway’ at Mendes Wood DM booth

“Eunnam Hong’s painting … stopped me in my tracks — cinematic, hyper-stylized, and effortlessly cool. With nods to Cindy Sherman and K-drama aesthetics, the Korean artist explores identity and performance through staged, uncanny tableaus. Her figures- drenched in soft light, wrapped in curlers and headscarves, clutching vitamin D and Safeway bags - feel both retro and unmistakably now. It’s suburban surrealism meets generational moodboard, complete with Converse and quiet rebellion. Hong is one of the most compelling contemporary voices out there - sharp, relatable, and iconic in the making.

Eunnam Hong’s ‘Safeway’ at Mendes Wood DM booth. (Supplied)
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Simone Fattal’s ‘Music On My Mind’ (2024)

“Simone Fattal is a Syrian Lebanese artist whose sculptural practice draws from archaeology, poetry, and mythology to explore themes of memory, exile, and resilience. Born in Damascus and raised in Beirut, she has created only a few large-scale sculptures, making each one rare and significant. Her works are held in major collections including MoMA, Centre Pompidou, and the Sharjah Art Foundation … I was drawn to “Music On My Mind” for its quiet power — the naive, totemic form and subtle reference to sound felt deeply poetic.”

Simone Fattal’s ‘Music On My Mind’ (2024). (Supplied)

M'barek Bouhchichi’s ‘Terr

M'barek Bouhchichi’s ‘Terra’ series (2024)


Noah Davis’s ‘The Goat from Grayson’ (2008) at David Zwirner

“I love this work for its quiet intensity and material poetry and Selma Feriani, who presents it, is one of the few truly independent voices from the region to make it to Art Basel with a consistently bold program. M’barek Bouhchichi, born in southeastern Morocco, lives and works in Tahanaout, Morocco. The artist collaborates with women artisans to create henna-dyed wool works that evoke both landscape and memory. His ‘Terra’ series explores cultural links between Morocco and Mali through ancestral weaving techniques. These minimal, earthy compositions blur the line between textile and painting. A major solo show in Tunis is coming this September.”

Noah Davis’s ‘The Goat from Grayson’ (2008) at David Zwirner

“I’ve always been drawn to Noah Davis’s ability to create scenes that feel both dreamlike and grounded in Black lived experience. “The Goat from Grayson” (2008), shown here at David Zwirner, captures his signature blend of poetic realism, rich symbolism and painterly tenderness. The glowing tree, the quiet tension, and the spiritual undertone pull you in. Davis, who passed away tragically young at 32, was not only a brilliant painter but also the founder of The Underground Museum in Los Angeles, a vital space for Black art and community. His work was the subject of a major retrospective at the Hammer Museum in 2020, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential artists of his generation.”

Eric Fischl’s ‘After the Funeral’ (2017)

“Eric Fischl’s paintings often feel like paused movie scenes, loaded with tension, memory, and unspoken drama. I was instantly drawn to these two women, something about the cigarette, the ice cube, the gaze, it felt like I’d stumbled into a Woody Allen film mid-conversation. Fischl captures that strange mix of intimacy and detachment with uncanny precision. A key figure of American figurative painting since the 1980s, his work explores suburban psychology and social dynamics. He is represented by Skarstedt, a gallery known for championing major contemporary artists like David Salle, Cindy Sherman, and George Condo.”

Eric Fischl’s ‘After the Funeral’ (2017)

Sheila Hicks’s ‘Lianes Etoiles’ (2020)

“Sheila Hicks’s ‘Lianes Etoiles’ is pure visual rhythm. Its vibrant threads, soft textures, and sculptural layering instantly drew me in. There is something meditative and sensual about the way the colors pulse across the surface. Hicks, a pioneer of textile art, has redefined fiber as a sculptural and painterly medium for over six decades. This piece feels both contemporary and ancestral, like a coded language of color and craft. It is shown by Alison Jacques, a gallery that consistently champions strong, visionary practices.”

Wael Shawky’s ‘I Am Hymns of The New Temples: Pompeii glass amphora (#06)’ (2023) at the booth of Lia Rumma

“Wael Shawky’s amphora sculptures are a masterclass in historical layering and contemporary wit. Representing the Egyptian Pavilion at the last Venice Biennale, his work was among the most celebrated and nearly won the Golden Lion. The video “Drama 1882” retelling of the ’Urabi revolution that was co‑funded through support from Mai Eldib, who organised key patronage, was later acquired by a major institution in the Middle East. These Murano glass forms, draped in ornate textiles, are as subtle as they are rich in reference. Shawky continues to expand the visual language of Arab myth, ritual, and storytelling with quiet force.”

Wael Shawky’s ‘I Am Hymns of The New Temples: Pompeii glass amphora (#06)’ (2023) at the booth of Lia Rumma

Amoako Boafo’s ‘Floral One Piece’ (2025) at Gagosian Gallery’s booth

“This striking portrait by Amoako Boafo was exhibited at the Gagosian booth, where the brilliant Rola Wazni, director of Gagosian Paris, walked me through a presentation curated by Francesco Bonami. Boafo, originally from Ghana and based in Vienna, is known for his lush finger-painted figures and bold exploration of Black identity and presence. His textured brushwork and floral detailing here are both tender and defiant. The composition radiates quiet power, dignity, and individuality. Rolla’s sharp eye and grace made the experience even more memorable.”

Amoako Boafo’s ‘Floral One Piece’ (2025) at Gagosian Gallery’s booth

Maurizio Cattelan and Rudofl Stingel at Gagosian Gallery’s booth

“Gagosian’s booth at Art Basel 2025, curated by Francesco Bonami, offered a brilliantly irreverent pairing of Maurizio Cattelan’s ‘No’ (2021) and Rudolf Stingel’s ‘Untitled’ (2012). Cattelan’s kneeling figure in a suit, head covered by a paper bag, delivers a biting satire of modern-day capitalism and mental health collapse — a man caught between denial and trauma, refusing to face symbolic castration or mortality. Stingel’s silvery abstraction provided a haunting, meditative counterpoint, echoing themes of absence and ego. Together, the works reflected on visibility, repression, and the absurd rituals of the art world. The result was a sharp, minimalist statement that lingered long after.”


Gigi Hadid’s latest cashmere launch inspired by New York

Updated 21 June 2025
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Gigi Hadid’s latest cashmere launch inspired by New York

DUBAI: US Palestinian Dutch supermodel and brand founder Gigi Hadid has released her latest collection — and a new summer campaign — under her cashmere label Guest in Residence.

The new line was inspired by New York, according to Hadid, who founded her brand in 2022.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Gigi Hadid (@gigihadid)

“I’m endlessly inspired by New York City — a place I’ve called home for many years — and the notion that we’re all guests here. For our collection, we embrace the great duality every New Yorker faces in Summer: the thrill of a busy day in the city, paired with the urge to hop in a car with friends and escape to somewhere quiet and laid-back. No matter where you find yourself, our cashmere pieces embrace a spirit of timelessness that always works,” Hadid is quoted as saying on the Guest in Residence Instagram page.

The launch was complemented by a video campaign shared on social media, in which Hadid is joined by fellow models as they explore New York in the summer.

Paolo Santosuosso acted as the campaign’s art director, while the looks were styled by Elizabeth Fraser-Bell.

Hadid launched her clothing label, which features soft, colorful knitwear, in September 2022.

“Over the last handful of years, I didn’t want to be backed into starting my own line just because there was an offer on the table or a deal to be made,” she wrote to her followers on Instagram at the time.

“The earliest days of Guest in Residence came about when I started to question the cashmere market, and those answers gave me a path,” she added.

“I believe that because of its sustainable qualities — natural and made to cherish and to pass down — cashmere is a luxury that should be more accessible.”

Celebrities including Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Taylor Swift and Bradley Cooper have been spotted wearing the label’s designs.

In June, Hadid also unveiled a new campaign with Brazilian footwear brand Havaianas.

The model, who launched a line with the flip flop label, starred in a vintage-inspired series of photographs. In the shots, she shows off slippers from her collection with the brand and is seen wearing retro outfits on a beach.


Post Malone to headline 2025 Esports World Cup opening ceremony in Riyadh

Updated 20 June 2025
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Post Malone to headline 2025 Esports World Cup opening ceremony in Riyadh

DUBAI: US rapper Post Malone – known for tracks like “Rockstar,” “I Had Some Help” and “Sunflower” – will perform will headline the opening ceremony of the 2025 Esports World Cup in Saudi Arabia.

The rap and country music artist will hit the stage in Riyadh on July 10.

In August 2020, the singer became part of Envy Gaming‘s ownership group, taking an undisclosed stake in the company, Esports Insider reporter of the North American organization that has since merged with Native Gaming.

The singer will return to the region to perform at the 2025 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix on Friday Dec. 5.

Malone previously performed at the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. He then returned in 2022, taking to the stage at Etihad Park.


Two Dubai restaurants make World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list

Updated 21 June 2025
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Two Dubai restaurants make World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list

DUBAI: Two restaurants in Dubai made the World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list, which was unveiled on Thursday.

Orfali Bros placed 37th, while Trèsind Studio came in at 27.

“The Orfali brothers from Aleppo, Syria, have created a genuinely unique dining experience in multi-cultural Dubai,” the guide read.

“There are three brothers: Mohamad (head chef), Wassim and Omar, pastry chefs. They mix traditional Syrian staples with pan-regional favorites, and European culinary tropes with Asian ingredients to create a menu that defies categorization.”

The restaurant also has one Michelin star.

Meanwhile, Indian eatery Trèsind Studio, which has three Michelin stars, was awarded No. 27 on The World’s 50 Best Restaurants 2025 list.

In a released statement, head chef Himanshu Saini said: “Being named #27 in The World’s 50 Best Restaurants is a celebration of the team, our culture, and the flavors that inspire everything we do. This honor reinforces our belief that modern Indian cuisine belongs on the world stage while staying true to our heritage.”

The restaurant was also awarded The Best Restaurant in the Middle East 2025 top spot.

“Dining at Trèsind Studio, now located on The Palm Jumeirah, can be a dramatic experience, with just 20 seats available. As you progress through the tasting menu, expect to be relocated to different areas of the restaurant, each carefully curated to match the plates in front of you, cooked by chef Himanshu Saini,” the Best Restaurant guide read.

The World's 50 Best Restaurants list is annually created by William Reed Business Media. It collates the opinion of more than 1,000 international restaurant industry experts, including chefs and food writers who vote for their favorite dining experiences.