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Cast member unfurls large Palestinian flag on London’s Royal Opera House stage

Cast member unfurls large Palestinian flag on London’s Royal Opera House stage
The performer held the flag during the curtain call for Il trovatore. (Screengrab)
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Updated 20 July 2025

Cast member unfurls large Palestinian flag on London’s Royal Opera House stage

Cast member unfurls large Palestinian flag on London’s Royal Opera House stage
  • Royal Ballet and Opera says protest ‘completely inappropriate for a curtain call’
  • Member of audience describes protest scenes as ‘extraordinary’ and ‘incredible’

LONDON: A cast member unfurled a large Palestinian flag on stage during the curtain call of “Il Trovatore” at the Royal Opera House in London on Saturday, prompting a brief scuffle with an official attempting to stop the protest and remove the flag.

A video shows a performer in a tussle with an official, as they refuse to relinquish the Palestinian flag, and continue to display it, at one point shaking it gently.

Seconds later, other officials, thought to be staff at the Royal Opera House, were shouting messages to the protesting actor from the wings, who looked ahead and appeared to ignore them. At the same time, the audience continued to applaud the performance.

Royal Ballet and Opera said the protest was “completely inappropriate for a curtain call.”

A spokesperson told the BBC: “The display of the flag was spontaneous and unauthorized action by the artist. It was not approved by the Royal Ballet and Opera and is not in line with our commitment to political impartiality.”

During the tussle, two performers beside the protester lurched to the side, while cast members further forward appeared oblivious to the situation.

Palestinian flags are commonly seen at protests supporting Gaza, as Israeli attacks on the Palestinian coastal enclave have continued since late 2023.

The flag of Palestine has also appeared at major events in the UK, including the Glastonbury Festival, where some bands and artists have featured it on stage.

The identity of the cast member remains unclear. “Il Trovatore” concluded its 11-night run at the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, on Saturday.

One member of the audience posted on X: “Extraordinary scenes at the Royal Opera House tonight.

“During the curtain call for ‘Il Trovatore,’ one of the background artists came on stage waving a Palestine flag.

“Just stood there, no bowing or shouting. Someone offstage kept trying to take it off him. Incredible.”


‘We strive to protect, reinterpret heritage,’ Azza Fahmy says of Grand Egyptian Museum boutique showcase

‘We strive to protect, reinterpret heritage,’ Azza Fahmy says of Grand Egyptian Museum boutique showcase
Updated 10 November 2025

‘We strive to protect, reinterpret heritage,’ Azza Fahmy says of Grand Egyptian Museum boutique showcase

‘We strive to protect, reinterpret heritage,’ Azza Fahmy says of Grand Egyptian Museum boutique showcase

DUBAI: From learning her craft in a Cairo workshop in 1969 to launching boutiques from London to Riyadh, veteran jewelry designer Azza Fahmy is placing another bejeweled feather in her cap with a retrospective inside her boutique at the Grand Egyptian Museum.

The retrospective of her eponymous brand combines archival and current pieces from the label’s Ancient Egyptian collections and the soon-to-be-launched Scarab Collection.

Pieces from Azza Fahmy Jewelry’s collaboration with Beirut-based textile studio BOKJA are also on show.

The retrospective of her eponymous brand combines archival and current pieces from the label’s Ancient Egyptian collection. (Supplied)

The boutique itself is housed in the new museum that boasts more than 57,000 artifacts from ancient Egypt. Opened on Nov. 1 to international fanfare, the facility is the largest archaeological museum in the world dedicated to a single civilization.

It is perhaps fitting that the modern brand that has become synonymous with Egyptian craftsmanship has its own corner in the vast space.

“Egypt’s artistic legacy is vast and timeless, an endless source of inspiration that continues to guide everything we create,” Fahmy said recently.

“I’ve always believed that jewelry is far more than adornment; it is a storyteller, a keeper of memory. Through our work, we strive to protect and reinterpret this heritage so it can live on.”

The brand bills itself as “a custodian of cultural preservation through jewelry,” with the Ancient Egyptian Collection in particular paying tribute to the country’s past.

The boutique itself is housed in the new museum that boasts more than 57,000 artifacts. (Supplied)

“When we created the Ancient Egyptian Collection, it was the result of 12 years of research, travel, and collaboration with Egyptologists.

“I’ve spent time on the West Bank in Luxor, studying artefacts and ancient sites to ensure that every detail is both meaningful and historically grounded, yet reinterpreted into something timeless,” Fahmy explained.

The upcoming Scarab Collection is similarly grounded in history, with Fahmy saying the symbol represents “rebirth, protection, and legacy.

“For this collection, we drew inspiration from the Giant Scarab at Karnak Temple,” she added of the site in Egypt’s Luxor.

Fahmy’s signature pieces have long been embraced by Egypt’s top entertainers, including the late actress and singer Soad Hosny and celebrated actress Yousra. 

Her jewelry has also garnered an impressive international following, including A-list actors Julia Roberts, Shailene Woodley, Naomi Watts, and Vanessa Hudgens, and singers Joss Stone and Rihanna. 

The retrospective at the brand’s store serves to highlight the designer’s desire to celebrate Egyptian design on the world stage.

“Our heritage offers a foundation of meaning, craftsmanship, and storytelling that few cultures possess. The future of Egyptian design lies in embracing that authenticity while engaging confidently with the world,” she said.