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Jordanian princess arrives in Beijing for Olympics
Updated: 2008-07-31 17:18
BEIJING -- Princess Haya bint Al-Hussein of Jordan arrived in Beijing at Thursday noon for the Olympic Games as an accredited dignitary of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Princess Haya, wife of vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, was the first accredited dignitary of the IOC to arrive in China for the Games.
Princess Haya was greeted by the Chinese Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs Zhai Jun when her plane touched down at 11:55 am at Beijing Capital International Airport. She got off the plane with her less-than-one-year-old daughter in her arms.
Born on May 3, 1974, Princess Haya is the daughter of the late King Hussein Bin Talal of Jordan (1935-1999) and late Queen Alia Al Hussein.
Princess Haya was elected in July 2007 as the member representing the IOC in the UAE and as President of the International Equestrian Federation. She also competed in showjumping at the 2000 Sydney Olympics .
Princess Haya plans to leave Beijing for Hong Kong on August 9, where the Olympic equestrian events will be held, and return to the UAE on August 25.
More than 80 state leaders and members of royalty will arrive in Beijing within the next week to attend the opening of the Olympic Games and other events, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.