Farewell to Sherard & Bridget

At the end of last week we sadly said goodbye to Sherard and Bridget. As Sherard's time as Her Majesty's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia comes to an end he now faces a new challenge, heading up the British Government's expanded diplomatic presence in Afghanistan. Sherard is universally liked and respected here, and he is widely acknowledged to have made an enormous contribution to UK-Saudi relations over the last three-and-a-half years.

Sir Sherard & Lady Bridget Cowper-Coles

Last month I was asked by the Embassy to take a few portraits of the couple, and also a group photo of the entire Embassy staff.

(placeholder for group photo)

The group photo was enlarged, framed, and presented to Sherard as a keepsake on his last working day at the Embassy last Saturday. His successor will be William Patey, formerly Her Majesty's Ambassador to the Republic of Iraq, who will arrive in Riyadh to take over in a few weeks' time.

Sherard, I wish you good luck and every success in your new position.