On Saturday, a grand parade carried 22 ancient Egyptian royal mummies in special capsules through Cairo to a new museum where they can be exhibited in greater splendour. The convoy transported 18 kings and four queens, mainly from the New Kingdom, from the Egyptian Museum in Tahrir Square in central Cairo to the National Museum of Egyptian Civilization in Fustat, about 5 kilometres (3 miles) away.
Authorities closed roads along the Nile for the elaborate ceremony, which aims to pique interest in Egypt's vast antiquities collections at a time when tourism is nearly halted due to COVID-19-related restrictions.
Cannons fired a 21-gun salute as the royal mummies arrived at the museum, which was formally opened on Saturday. As the mummies passed by on vehicles adorned with golden pharaonic motifs, President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stood by and enjoyed the parade.
At the ceremony, the heads of the United Nations cultural agency UNESCO and the World Tourism Organization were also present. According to Egyptian archaeologist Zahi Hawass, each mummy was put in a special capsule filled with nitrogen to ensure its safety. They were transported in vehicles that were built to cradle and support them.