Against a backdrop of Atlantis The Royal, Beyoncé was accompanied by a 48-strong all-female orchestra for her 60-minute performance, and an all-female precision dance group from Lebanon. 

Guests at the event included many from the UK travel trade, who watched Beyoncé sing Etta James’ classic, At Last, alongside some of her biggest hits, including Halo and Crazy in Love. 

However Beyoncé has been criticised by the LGB Alliance for her performance in the United Arab Emirates, where gay relationships are illegal. The star collaborated with a number of the LGBTQ community’s biggest names on her latest album Renaissance when it launched in July 2022, and she has been heralded as a champion of the community. 

Watch the start of her performance below: 

Celebrities at the event included Beyoncé’s husband Jay-Z, British Vogue editor Edward Enninful, model Kendall Jenner, actress Rebel Wilson, singers Chloe x Halle, actress Letitia Wright, singer Liam Payne and actor Winston Dukes. Popular UK couples in attendance included Millie Mackintosh and Hugo Taylor, Rochelle and Marvin Humes, and Michelle Keegan and Mark Wright. 

The performance by Beyoncé was followed by a fireworks and drone show, before Swedish House Mafia took to the stage. 

During the three-day event guests dined at the hotel’s restaurants, which include offerings from Nobu, Jose Andres and Heston Blumenthal. Kendall Jenner also launched her 818 Tequila brand at the resort’s sky pool, Cloud 22.

Atlantis The Royal offers 795 rooms, suites and signature penthouses, 44 of which have private infinity pools. The hotel opens to guests from 10 February and reservations are now open. 

Tim Kelly, managing director of Atlantis Dubai said: “This is it. Our moment to unveil Atlantis The Royal as the world’s most ultra-luxury entertainment resort has arrived. We’re delighted that global superstar Beyoncé was here to launch this extraordinary resort in an unforgettable way – a true icon, launching an icon. We are excited to begin welcoming guests in February and treat them to an experience that will completely redefine their perspective of luxury.”