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Queen Elizabeth Cancels UAE Visit

DUBAI - Queen Elizabeth II of England has cancelled a state visit to Dubai and Abu Dhabi because of a busy work schedule.

The queen was due to arrive in the UAE in the spring but the trip was called off when it was discovered that the G20 meeting will take place in London soon after her return.

Preparations for the five-day visit were already in the advanced stage and the cancellation, made last week, will see months of work by security agencies go waste.

A spokesman for Buckingham Palace, the Queen’s residence, would not name the UAE for the destination of the spring trip. However, Khaleej Times has received confirmation that the queen would have visited Dubai and Abu Dhabi.

“It is because of extra items on the agenda this year which has meant that the spring trip is not viable,” said David Pogson, spokesman for Buckingham Palace. Within days of their planned return, the queen and her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, would have hosted a state visit by Mexican President Felipe Calderon.

It is believed that the G20 summit of world leaders will take place in London in the same week.

The queen will host two official engagements at the royal accommodation throughout the summit

martin@khaleejtimes.com

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