Princess Diana 'considered' wearing a burqa while visiting Saudi Arabia in 1986

The designs will be auctioned next month for a minimum of $33,000.
Source: Twitter

In 1986, the late British royal Princess Diana embarked on a Gulf tour ... but did you know she had a burqa designed for her visit to Saudi Arabia?

This week, sketches of a number of outfits designed by David and Elizabeth Emanuel have been revealed. They include a burqa design; a full-length white garment, with a slit for the eyes.

The burqa was designed for the late princess, but was never worn. According to The National, the designs were made "at the request of her private staff."

A typed note from her Lady-in-Waiting, Anne Beckwith Smith, to the designer in 1986 reveals the reason why a burqa was designed in the first place.

The full-length garment was considered to be the late princess' "reserve outfit" if controversy had stirred up during her visit.

"Certain special requirements concerning dress need to be observed and I am writing to ask if it would be possible to submit to The Princess of Wales a few sketches for day and evening wear from which Her Royal Highness could select items for this tour," the letter reads.

"Their Royal Highnesses will be visiting Oman, Qatar, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia. In all cases modesty is the order of the day."

The burqa design will be auctioned for an estimated $33,000

In September, the burqa design, alongside fabric samples for the outfit, will be put up for auction in Boston, U.S., for a minimum amount of $33,000.

The designs are being sold by US-based auction house RR Auctions. 

"Princess Diana tried to conform to local customs by wearing concealing clothes, but still exposed her neck and left her head uncovered," said Bobby Livingston, executive vice president of RR Auctions, according to Daily Mail.

"At evening banquets, she appeared in the long sleeved demure dresses made especially for the tour. She did not have to wear the 'reserve outfit' burka depicted in this archive," he added.

In November 1986, the late Princess Diana and Prince Charles toured several countries in the Gulf, including Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia.

When in Saudi Arabia, she visited King Fahd's palace after receiving an invite, however, did not dine with the men. 

In 1989, the couple visited Abu Dhabi and Dubai.

Source: Pinterest

Egyptians demand its football authority resigns after Mo Salah row

"You will never walk alone"

In the past few days, Egyptians have been furious with the way the Egypt Football Association (EFA) has responded to footballer Mohamed Salah's "illogical" requests regarding security measures at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.

A player so great he has won the Premier League's 'Player of the Year' title and the 'Golden Boot' for the 2017/2018 season. In addition, he made it to 'The Best FIFA Men's Player' shortlist this year. Putting aside his countless professional achievements, he has also won the hearts of millions around the world, especially Egyptians.

During the country's elections this year, his popularity proved to be particularly strong after more than one million nationals reportedly struck out the names of other presidential candidates to cast their ballot for Mohamed Salah.

So, when EFA members didn't treat the Liverpool F.C. forward the way they should, people got upset ... as in, really upset.

The EFA had used Salah's photo across the national team's plane without permission and then ignored his complaints regarding the "violation of image rights in the run-up to the World Cup".

The 26-year-old was left at risk of legal action against him by Vodafone - who he has a multi-million dollar sponsorship deal with - as the plane was sponsored by rival telecommunications firm WE.

Another incident soon followed whereby Khaled Lateif, a senior official with the EFA, threatened Salah's family using his mother as bait.

"I'd like to remind Mo Salah that your mother is still in Egypt. You are abroad and can do as you wish. Those who understand, understand," Lateif tweeted just before his account got temporarily suspended.

People didn't take it well... at all

"You want to gain fame on the account of FIFA too?"

Egypt's comedy king, Mohamed Henedy, made sure to smoothly slide his sarcasm on Twitter and show his support to Salah.

Soon after, Khaled Lateif gained back his suspended account and replied to Henedy with this:

"We deleted all the offensive tweets targeting Mohamed Salah that were posted by a third party using my account without my knowledge. So we urge Salah to withdraw the report submitted to both FIFA and EFA. We pledge not to let such inconveniences happen again. Signed by Khaled Lateif, Magdy Abd El Gany, and Karam Kurdy." 

From there onwards, things got a bit messy

The founding member of Al Masreyeen Al Ahrrar party in Egypt, Naguib Sawiris, called for the members of the EFA to resign following a series of hateful tweets targeting Salah.

Soon enough, a hashtag demanding the EFA to resign went viral on the social media platform, with thousands of angry Egyptian tweeps defending their unofficial president, Mo Salah.

Some targeted Khaled Lateif personally

While many pointed out the irony between footballers' humility and EFA members' snobbery

Difference between economy and business class

"Association of shame"

"You will never walk alone"

Many reminded the EFA of why and how Salah got this famous

EFA members responded to the tweets they received...

Magdy Abd El Gany, a senior member of the EFA, called Salah a "pig" in a tweet sent out on Monday. He then sarcastically apologized, saying:

"I would like to apologize to Mohamed Salah. He shouldn't take this seriously, it was a joke. We deleted all the tweets so that he wouldn't be sad. Please withdraw the reports because it's not okay for you to report sports icons like myself and Hany Abou Rida and other members, because FIFA could end the EFA. Those who understand, understand."

And then sent this...

"Captain Khaled, I didn't expect for Mohamed Salah to be this popular. Man, 90 million Egyptians have cussed us, with not even one tweet thanking us [EFA]. We work day and night volunteering for our country, and I was the one who helped Egypt reach the World Cup in 1990. We voiced our opinion in a good manner. And then we have Salah's fans cussing our father and mother?"

And this...

"Comparison: 

Mohamed Salah: 

1- Footballer

2- X 

Captain Magdy Abd El Gany:

1- Footballer

2- Journalist 

3- EFA member

4- Actor."