Timeframe: When Sheikh Majid was awarded the Sword of Honour at Sandhurst

The honour is given to the best cadet following the British military academy’s gruelling 44-week course

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai, and his son Sheikh Majid during his Passing Out Parade at Sandhurst on August 11, 2006. Getty Images

Eighteen years ago on Sunday, Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed graduated from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, the world-renowned institution whose motto is: "Serve to lead."

The graduation ceremony, also known as the Passing Out Parade, was attended by Sheikh Majid’s father, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid, Vice President and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed himself is an alumnus of the British academy.

Sheikh Majid stood out from the 300 others in his graduation group, though not merely because he is a member of Dubai's ruling family. Dressed in the academy’s black and red uniform, Sheikh Majid was armed with a glistening sword, one of its most coveted awards.

The Sword of Honour is bestowed on the best cadet. It is a mark of distinction for one of the highest scorers of the academy’s gruelling 44-week course, which tests the physical and mental mettle of its young cadets.

The sword is crafted by Pooley Sword, with blades made from high-carbon steel. After the parade, Sheikh Mohammed said he was proud of his son’s performance. He added that Sheikh Majid receiving the Sword of Honour was proof of the quality of training of UAE military schools, and signified that Emirati youth were “endowed with excellence and creativity".

Other members of regional ruling and royal families who attended the ceremony included Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, who at the time was Minister of Presidential Affairs, and King Hamad of Bahrain.

Sheikh Majid’s graduation followed a decades-long tradition of Middle Eastern rulers and royals attending the institution. President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, President of the UAE, is an alumnus as is his son, Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed. Crown Prince of Dubai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed also graduated as did the late King Hussein of Jordan, his son King Abdullah II and his grandson Crown Prince Hussein.