For many, the highlight of yesterday’s festivities was the Emir’s seemingly spontaneous decision to walk on the Corniche greeting parade-goers.

Mohammed Saad put together a video of the crowd’s reaction as Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani makes the rounds.

The removal of Al Thani’s “bisht,” the outer garment distinguishing him from his thobe-wearing bodyguards, appears to have been an especially endearing moment to many Qataris, who said the move signified the Emir’s humility.

As Khalifa Saleh at ILoveQatar.net explains:

This is why we love him. He is one of the people.

Were you there?