King attends Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

AMMAN — His Majesty King Abdullah, accompanied by Her Majesty Queen Rania, was the guest of honour at the 2016 Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, held in Edinburgh Castle with the participation of military bands representing several countries, a Royal Court statement said on Sunday.

His Majesty attended military and music shows in the event, one of the biggest international military parades.

During the show, King Abdullah was saluted by participating military bands, including the Jordanian one.

The participating bands performed silent military parade, musical pieces, and camel and horse cavalry shows, the statement added.

The Jordan Armed Forces-Arab Army’s (JAF) musical band and divisions of the guards of honour represented Jordan in this year’s tattoo.

The Jordanian band performed various musical shows inspired by the Kingdom’s military heritage and the Great Arab Revolt.

King’s Military Adviser and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs-of-Staff Gen. Mashal Al Zaben also attended the parade.

The King attended a reception that was held by Edinburgh Castle Governor Maj. Gen. Michael Riddell-Webster in honour of His Majesty, in the presence of some 120 guests.

Upon his arrival at the castle, the King was received by Riddell-Webster, UK Secretary of State for Defence Michael Fallon, Jordan’s Ambassador to the UK Mazen Hmoud and several senior British officers.

Jordan’s first participation in the tattoo dates back to 1963, when the JAF musical band, infantry and guards of honour represented the Kingdom in the event, according to the statement.