Rebels Uncover Queen Elizabeth II's Signed Portrait in Assad's Ransacked Palace

The discovery highlights the opulence of Bashar al-Assad's regime, which collapsed as rebel forces seized Damascus after a rapid 12-day offensive.

A signed portrait of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip, dated 2002, was found in a 'treasure room' inside Bashar al-Assad's New Shaab Palace in Damascus.
The portrait, a relic of Assad's diplomatic visit to Buckingham Palace with his wife Asma, was among gold-encrusted chests, artwork, and mementos of his rule.
Rebel forces stormed Damascus, forcing Assad and his family to flee to Moscow on December 8 after his regime's sudden collapse.
Looters and civilians were seen taking luxury items from the palace, including Louis Vuitton bags and chandeliers, while Assad's fleet of luxury cars became a public spectacle.
The fall of Assad's regime marks the end of nearly 14 years of civil war, with rebel fighters now guarding the palace and uncovering evidence of the family's abrupt departure.