We went to a gloriously English Garden Party at the British Ambassador's Home to welcome Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall to Riyadh. Sadly I had to leave my camera and Blackberry with security at the entrance so no photos but DH did take a quick snap before we left (Note the Miu Miu bag has come out to play!!)
The garden at the HMA Residence is just lovely - lots of beautiful trees which are currently full of blossom ( just like the streets of Kensington in May!) so there was some shade and a little breeze which helped as the temperatures were hitting 90 degrees centigrade - it was like a little slice of (warm) England in Riyadh - we had afternoon tea, tiny little sandwiches, cakes and fruit juices whilst we waited for HRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to arrive.
There was a beautiful ice sculpture of The Prince of Wales' emblem which amazingly didn't melt! No Vodka running off it OBVIOUSLY!!
When they arrived they each started on a different side of the garden and made their way around the different groups - we had HRH Prince Charles who was very chatty and keen to hear about life in Riyadh - including asking what the Ladies managed to find to do...Much to DH's horror I replied
"Shopping Your Highness, we even have a Harvey Nics" Much giggling and guffawing from around the table including Prince Charles!!
After about an hour they left the gardens to prepare for their next appointment - it really is a whistle stop tour of the Middle East for them and so much to pack in.
We sped off to change into Evening dress for our dinners - the men were dining with HRH Prince Charles and the Crown Prince and the Ladies were whisked off to a tented banquet hosted by HRH Princess Hessa Bint Tarrad Al-Shalan, the wife of King Abdullah on the King's Farm outside Riyadh - we had flashing lights, police cars, 2 lanes of limos and 4x4's all very exciting (especially as we didn't really know where we were going and the drivers didn't speak any English...)
Not a great photo but you can just about make out the flashing lights of the Police cars at the beginning of our convoy as we rushed through red lights....the nearer we got to the destination the more Police cars appeared and Tanks and soldiers....
We arrived somewhere out of town in the desert to an amazing huge tent - the floor was lined with beautiful carpets and rugs and the room was full of Princesses and 21 of the 30 Ladies recently appointed on the Shura Council.
These Ladies come from a variety of professions - I met a Professor in Mathematics, a Consultant Obstetrician, a Consultant Opthalmic Surgeon and a whole host of other interesting ladies and Princesses ( including the King's very beautiful and eloquent daughters).
We were greeted with traditional Arabic Coffee made with Cardamons followed by chocolates and dates - then we moved into another vast tent for a banquet - Tables were laden with Arabic delicacies and a 3 course supper was served on beautiful white china with gold edging. Never have I felt more welcomed and so well looked after. It was a total pleasure to spend the evening with such interesting and interested women - I felt totally humbled by how hard some of these ladies had worked (and in one case bringing up 5 children at the same time as studying - all 5 children are now either Doctors or training to be doctors!) Inspiring to say the least..... This is the true side of Saudi that most Westerners are not lucky enough to gain access to - these ladies have worked hard and achieved the top of their game and now are seeing a change in their country of which they can be part of - really amazing .
I arrived back at my Villa at 145am and DH had waited up for me ( even though he had early pick up at 630am the next day- ahhh what a husband!)
AND his necklace is bigger and better than mine!!
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