Royal Bridges inaugural edition hailed a resounding success

The first edition of Royal Bridges raises proceeds of up to half a million AED in funds for the World Food Programme 

The inaugural edition of Royal Bridges– a global artistic movement comprising of artist members from royal lineage– made history in Dubai at the Ritz Carlton, DIFC on the 29th-30th of November, 2016. Hailed a resounding success, the event collectively saw the attendance and support of over 30 royals, princely, and noble houses from Europe, Middle East, Subcontinent and Southeast Asia.  Concluding the series of events, on the 30th of November, Royal Bridges—in collaboration with Christie’s– raised close to half a million dirhams in proceeds to go towards feeding the world’s hungry with the World Food Programme’s initiatives.

The guests of honours from the region in attendance were HH Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan- Chairman of the Sheikh Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan Humanitarian & Scientific Foundation, Emirati Minister of State for Tolerance, HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid Al Qasimi and HRH Princess Basmah bint Saud bin Abdulaziz Al Saud of Saudi Arabia.

Also in attendance from the European reigning houses were Princess Märtha Louise of Norway, HH Princess Alexandra zu Sayn-Wittgenstein-Berleburg, HRH Princess Tessy of Luxembourg and Nassau and HRH Princess Tatiana of Greece and Denmark.

The two-day event included a dinner and auction at The Ritz Carlton, DIFC for 250 guests. The top auction item, raising $25,000, “Pursuit of happiness,” 2015, artwork by HRH Princess Sibylle of Prussia, followed by “Together,” 2015 painting by Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa which fetched $20,000. “Souk ahrid,” 2016 photography by Princess Reem Al Faisal Al Saud went for $11,000.

There were a total of 11 art pieces created donated by the royal artists together with objets d’arts and crafts donated by the sovereign guests and Tanagra, the sponsor for the evening which raise a total of $135,000 in support of the World Food Programme’s mission to help end hunger worldwide.

“The generosity of our guests is absolutely amazing. The support of all of Christie’s, sponsors and friends is what makes this event such a success,” said Shaikh Rashid. “We feel fortunate to be able to make this contribution to the WFP and stand for a global cause that we all feel strongly about.”

Organized by ArtBahrain, Royal Bridges, founded by HE Shaikh Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, is in association with The International Humanitarian City supporting the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP).