In 1919, Sheikh Abdullah bin Isa Al Khalifa, son on the ruler of Bahrain, visited Britain at the invitation of the British Government. His father wrote that he considered the trip ‘very precious’ since it would ‘strengthen the bonds of friendship’. However, he requested that his son ‘return as early as possible before the beginning of winter as he is not accustomed to the cold climate’.

Sheikh Abdullah attended the peace celebrations to mark the end of the First World War in July and was received by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 6 August. After the audience, the king sent Sheikh Abdullah’s father a telegram expressing his thanks for the visit and saying he hoped he could ‘rely on his loyalty and help always’. Sheik Abdullah had given the king this sabre, its gold scabbard decorated with pearls.