Photo: @arabianroyalagency Instagram

Her Highness Sheikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa has always been a woman of great legacy and power. – and her recent photo-op with His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has cemented that.

In a rare moment, the King of Bahrain was photographed with his close relative, Sheikha Aisha, a prominent royal family member and the first female fighter pilot in the history of the Royal Bahraini Air Force (RBAF).

Clad in her official military uniform, the young royal proudly stood next to His Majesty, showcasing a powerful moment for Bahrain’s royal family.

During his visit to the RBAF base, the king inspected the new modern fighter jets and dutifully thanked the personnel for their professionalism and readiness.

However, taking a moment to express his gratitude, according to Bahrain News Agency, the King also commended the Bahraini women’s role in the military and their contributions to improving the nation in all sectors.

Who is Sheikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa?

Sheikha Aisha bint Rashid Al Khalifa is the daughter of renowned contemporary artist and Chairperson of Bahrain’s National Council for Arts, His Excellency Rashid bin Khalifa Al Khalifa and Sheikha Luluwah bint Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa. She is also the granddaughter of the late prime minister, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa.

Being a woman of legacy, Sheikha Aisha marked many firsts for the Bahraini royal family. In 2017, she was the first woman with Bahraini roots to graduate from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. A year later, in 2018, she earned more qualifications, such as the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), as well as a class C light aircraft pilot license.

She further cemented herself in the field by becoming the first female fighter pilot in the nation by flying a BAE Hawk jet and becoming a First Lieutenant in the RBAF.