TALE OF A CITY 26 of five rooms near the airport rest house and was considered part of it. Its ownership was to remain Shaikh Sultan’s even if Sharjah Air Station was ever to be abandoned.9 On 14 June 1932, the Hanno arrived from Britain on its was to India. On board was Lady Willingdon, wife of Lord Willingdon, Viceroy of India (1931-1936). The Political Residency Agent had informed Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi of her arrival and the Sheikh had expressed his desire to meet her. Sheikh Sultan received Lady Willingdon at the steps of the aircraft and accompanied her together with the Political Agent to the airport building where Sheikh Sultan invited her to the Sharjah Fort, which she accepted. Upon their arrival to the Fort, five ceremonial salutes were fired for her by the Sheikh’s cannon. Sheikh Sultan thenpresentedher with some pearls and an Indian-made gold anklet set with a diamond. She was highly delighted by the gifts. After having some coffee, she left with Sheikh Sultan to the front court of the Fort to attend a horse race held in her honour. After these ceremonies, Lady Willingdon visited the Sharjah Political Residency where she was met with great hospitality and respect. Then, she left accompanied by the Political Agent to Sharjah Air Station where she spent the night. In the morning of 15 June 1933, both Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr and the Political Agent, Eissa Abdullatif headed for the station to bid Lady Willingdon farewell, but she had already left before their arrival.10 After Sharjah Air Station became fully operational, Sharjah increased in importance, as it became the gate to all the other emirates. Most delegates coming to Sharjah or any other emirate came through Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan bin Saqr al-Qasimi also became very important for the English, and they promised him full support. The Foreign Secretary of the British India Government wrote on 26 June 1933 a letter to the British Deputy Secretary 9 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/1966, P.Z.4456/1933, P.Z.7396/1933, L.P.&S/12/4120, P.Z.4621/1933, P.Z. 7715/1933, P.Z.1003/1935, L.P.&S/12/1986, P.Z.7784/1934, L.P.&S/12/3789, P.Z.255/1935. 10 Ibid., L.P.&S/12/4116,P.Z.3926/1933.
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