‘Grandiose spectacle’: Egyptian royal mummies moved to new home in Cairo

Dubbed the ‘Pharaohs’ Golden Parade’, the 18 kings and four queens travelled in order, oldest first, each aboard a separate float decorated in ancient Egyptian style

Ramses II, who ruled Egypt for 67 years, and Queen Hatshepsut, the most powerful female pharaoh, were among the mummies on the journey

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A vehicle transfers an Egyptian mummy on April 3, 2021. Photo: Xinhua

Published: 3:00am, 4 Apr 2021Updated: 9:04am, 4 Apr 2021

A procession of floats carrying the mummified remains of 22 pharaohs, including Egypt’s most powerful ancient queen, snaked through Cairo on Saturday evening, in an eye-catching parade to a new resting place.

Under heavy security, the mummies were travelling 7km across the capital from the Egyptian Museum to the new National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.

Dubbed the “Pharaohs’ Golden Parade”, the 18 kings and four queens travelled in order, oldest first, each aboard a separate float decorated in ancient Egyptian style.

Carriages carrying royal mummies depart from the Egyptian Museum in Cairos on April 3, 2021. Photo: AFP

Both pedestrians and vehicles were barred from Tahrir Square, site of the current museum, and other sections of the route for the parade.

Images of the parade and a carefully choreographed opening ceremony were broadcast live on state television, to rousing music.

“With great pride, I look forward to welcoming kings and queens from Egypt after their trip,” President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said on Twitter just ahead of proceedings.

“This grandiose spectacle is further proof of the greatness … of a unique civilisation that extends into the depths of history,” he added.