In a visit reflecting the depth of cultural relations and growing global interest in Saudi heritage destinations, the "Al-Ula Arts" festival activities caught the attention of Prince William, the Prince of Wales and Crown Prince of the United Kingdom, during his recent tour that included a number of historical, natural and cultural sites in Al-Ula Governorate.

A tour between art and nature

During his visit, the British Crown Prince viewed a distinguished collection of artworks by Saudi and international artists. These works ranged from contemporary installations to innovative outdoor visual experiences, all designed to draw inspiration from AlUla's unique natural landscape, topography, and rich history. The exhibition reflected the dynamism of the local art scene and its openness to global cultural exchange, highlighting art's role as a universal language.

Al-Ula: An open-air museum and a rich history

This visit comes amidst the significant transformation underway in AlUla Governorate, home to Hegra, the first Saudi site to be inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. AlUla is now an open-air museum, telling the stories of the ancient civilizations that inhabited northern Arabia thousands of years ago. Through the Royal Commission for AlUla, the Kingdom is working to develop the region into a world-class tourist and cultural destination while preserving its environmental and heritage character, a vision that aligns with Prince William’s well-known interests in environmental and heritage conservation.

A platform for creativity and innovation

Prince William was introduced to the diverse creative programs offered by the festival, which annually reshapes the region's cultural landscape. Thanks to these events, the oasis has transformed into a vibrant platform for art and innovation, attracting creators and visitors from around the world. The festival presents artistic experiences that extend from the lush oasis to the Al Jadida Arts District and several other cultural destinations in the governorate, through contemporary exhibitions, large-scale creative installations, and innovative design displays, alongside concerts, workshops, and panel discussions that highlight the convergence of heritage and modern artistic visions.

Supporting young talents

In a gesture of appreciation for national talent, Prince William met with a number of distinguished young men and women from AlUla who have excelled in various artistic and cultural fields during his visit. He listened to their personal experiences and their contributions to enriching the cultural movement in the region, praising the ongoing support for developing the creative sector and enhancing its presence both locally and internationally. The AlUla Arts Festival embodies the region's status as a leading cultural destination that celebrates human creativity and utilizes its natural beauty and cultural heritage to build strong bridges of cultural communication with the world, in line with the goals of the Kingdom's Vision 2030 to enhance quality of life and diversify the economy through cultural tourism.

In a striking media appearance that sparked widespread reaction on social media, Egyptian actress Liqaa El-Khamissi broke her silence to speak for the first time directly about the recent family crisis she faced, related to the announcement of her husband, former goalkeeper and current coach Mohamed Abdel-Monsef's, marriage to another woman. These statements put an end to speculation, confirming that the news came as a complete shock to her and her family, especially given the public and sudden manner in which it was revealed.

Shock in the spotlight and violation of privacy

In her televised remarks, Khamisi explained that their married life had always been characterized by tranquility and extreme privacy, far removed from the media frenzy and paparazzi lenses, which made the revelation of the matter a double shock. The actress described what happened as a harsh and unexpected ordeal, expressing it poignantly by saying, "We were a discreet family, and that privacy was shattered in an instant." She pointed out that the most difficult aspect of celebrity family crises is their public exposure, which only intensifies the psychological burden on the family.

Background of the relationship between art and sports

The marriage of actress Liqaa El-Khamissi and Mohamed Abdel Monsef is one of the most famous unions between the artistic and sporting worlds in Egypt. Their relationship has always been respected by the public due to its longevity and stability compared to many other celebrity marriages. This latest event tests the strength of their long-standing relationship, which has produced children, making the decision to deal with the crisis more complex and sensitive, given the interplay between personal considerations and their public image.

Family priority and preserving the family unit

Despite the shock and unexpected nature of the news, Liqaa El-Khamissi emphasized her unwavering commitment to her home and her deep concern for her family's stability. She affirmed that preserving personal dignity does not necessarily contradict the wisdom required to manage crises effectively, protecting her children and their psychological and social well-being. She noted that the decision to stay was not easy, but it stemmed from a profound belief that the family is the most important entity, deserving of sacrifice and patience.

Lessons learned and a message of love

Speaking about overcoming her ordeal, Khamisi noted that severe crises reveal people's true character, emphasizing that making mistakes is inherent in human nature, but the key lies in acknowledging them and striving to correct them. She expressed her gratitude to all her friends and loved ones who offered her psychological and moral support during that difficult time. She concluded her personal remarks with a general call for patience and adherence to the values ​​of love and peace, pointing out that homes can be destroyed in a moment of anger, while preserving them requires strength, faith, and enduring patience.

A strong comeback in Ramadan 2026 drama

On the professional front, after a period of artistic inactivity, Liqaa El-Khamissi is preparing to resume her artistic activities and participate strongly in the 2026 Ramadan television season. She announced her participation in the series "Rouge Aswad" (Black Lipstick), a promising drama consisting of 30 episodes, which is expected to address important social issues. The series brings together a stellar cast of actors, including Rania Youssef, Dalia Mostafa, Farah El-Zahed, and Ahmed Fahim. Written by Ayman Selim and directed by Mohamed Abdel Rahman Hamaki, the series promises a distinctive drama that will bring Liqaa El-Khamissi back to her audience with a new and different character.

In statements that sparked interest among artistic circles and the Arab public, prominent Egyptian director Mohamed Sami categorically denied what is being circulated behind the scenes and on social media platforms about him being the "first person to be responsible" for the widespread fame achieved by star Mohamed Ramadan, stressing that the overwhelming success that "Number One" has reached is a natural result of his personal effort, his multiple talents, and the diversity of his artistic works between cinema, drama, and singing.

A history of shared successes and clarifying the facts

In a recent television interview, Mohamed Sami explained that his artistic relationship with Mohamed Ramadan is complementary and has resulted in massive popular successes. However, he refused to reduce Ramadan's long career solely to their collaboration. Sami pointed out that Ramadan possesses a substantial and independent body of work that has contributed to establishing him as a leading box-office star. He clarified that his role as a director was influential at certain stages, but not the sole driver of this stardom.

This clarification comes in a rich historical context that brings the duo together, as they formed together something like a "dramatic phenomenon" in recent years, starting with the series "Al-Ostoura" which achieved a wide echo in the Egyptian street, passing through the series "Al-Prince", and reaching the sweeping success of the series "Jaafar Al-Omda" in Ramadan 2023. Despite this chemistry between them, Sami insisted on giving credit to Ramadan's individual talent, pointing to his separate cinematic and musical successes in which he had no part.

A new artistic adventure: Mohamed Sami as an actor for the first time

Aside from the controversy surrounding his relationship with Mohamed Ramadan, Mohamed Sami surprised his fans by announcing his acting debut in his new series, "Qalb Shams" (Heart of the Sun). Sami isn't just appearing in front of the camera; he's taking on three major and demanding roles: writing, directing, and acting. This presents viewers with a unique and highly anticipated experience, offering them a chance to assess his acting abilities after years of dominating the directing scene.

The cast of the series "Heart of the Sun"

Sami has already begun filming the series, assembling a stellar cast to ensure the highest quality production. "Qalb Shams" boasts a stellar lineup, including Tunisian star Dorra, Inji El Mokaddem, and veteran actor Mahmoud Qabil. The cast also features Entisar, Sawsan Badr, Basant Shawky, Edward, and Menna Fadali.

The cast includes Ahmed Wafik, comedian Amr Wahba, young actress Nour Ehab, and Ashraf Zaki, head of the Actors' Syndicate, in addition to rising stars Michelle Massak, Soli, Aisel Ramzy, and Tawana El Gohary. Critics and audiences alike eagerly anticipate this project to see how Mohamed Sami will manage this constellation of stars while simultaneously directing and acting alongside them.