A signed picture of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip has been found among the souvenirs in the packed “treasure room” of ousted Syrian leader Bashar al Assad.
Rebel fighters discovered the photo in the dictator’s so-called “People’s Palace” on the edge of Syrian capital Damascus.
The picture is hand-signed and dated 2002 – the same year Assad and his wife visited the royals in Buckingham Palace.
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The visit took place two years after Assad took over as Syria’s president – before he became a pariah for his brutal crackdown on the pro-democracy Arab Spring protests of 2011 and the civil war that followed.
Other keepsakes found in the packed treasure room included gold and silver shields, ornaments and artwork, numerous boxes and chests, and a FIFA award for the world youth championships.
The room was packed with art and multiple boxes and chests. Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
Pic: Reuters
A rug with Assad’s face on and multiple pictures of his wife turned up elsewhere as rebel fighters ransacked the palace’s many rooms.
A garage full of dozens of luxury cars, including a rare Ferrari worth about £3m, was also uncovered this week.
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Rebels find Assad’s luxury car collection after storming palace
Sky News also found a large fire had ripped through one of Assad’s other palaces in Damascus.
Fire damage at the Tishreen Palace
Inside the palace visited by a Sky News team, where chandeliers have been ruined by flames
The palace in Damascus has been abandoned and ransacked
Assad’s brutal tenure ended when he fled to Moscow shortly before Damascus fell at the weekend during a shock takeover of the country by rebel groups.
He fled to Moscow due to his close relationship with long-time ally President Putin.
Assad’s face was woven into a rug. Pic: Reuters
Multiple pictures of his UK-born wife were also found at Assad’s homes. Pic: Reuters
Assad had multiple homes and lived an opulent lifestyle while his regime locked up, tortured and killed thousands of its citizens.
The reality of what happened is now being exposed to the world.
Relatives have gathered at places such as the notorious Sednaya prison and hospital morgues in hope of discovering the fate of their loved ones.