Cairo, Nov. 2 (Petra) -- Deputizing for His Majesty King Abdullah II, Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah attended on Saturday the opening ceremony of the Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), accompanied by Her Royal Highness Princess Salma bint Abdullah II.

Her Majesty and Her Royal Highness were received at the museum by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi and Mrs. Entissar El Sisi. The opening ceremony brought together world leaders, foreign dignitaries, and cultural representatives.

In addition to a speech by President El Sisi, the ceremony featured segments detailing Egypt’s historical significance through the ages, as demonstrated by the museum’s collection. It also included several musical and audio-visual performances.

Queen Rania and Princess Salma joined a tour of the facilities, viewing a showcase of some of the museum’s most iconic exhibits. Housing tens of thousands of Egyptian artifacts, the GEM is the world’s largest archaeological museum dedicated to a single civilization.

Among the museum’s highlights is the Tutankhamun collection, which includes approximately 5,000 pieces dedicated to the famed pharaoh, displayed together for the first time. The GEM also features an ancient 83-ton granite statue of Ramses II, an exhibit dedicated to King Khufu’s solar boats, and many newly-restored antiquities on display to the public for the first time.

The GEM’s foundation stone was laid in 2002 and its construction was completed in 2023. The complex includes a children’s museum, 3D-theater, conference center, as well as a number of conservation labs, restaurants, and a retail space. It is set to open its doors to the public on November 4, 2025. //Petra//