A 17-year-old Dubai resident has made international headlines after becoming the youngest British person to reach the summit of Mount Everest — and he did it with the UAE flag in hand.

Gabriel Middleton reached the 8,849-metre peak at 9:20 am on May 27, 2026, aged just 17 years, one month and 28 days. He made the ascent alongside his father, Ant Middleton — the former Royal Marine and star of the hit TV series SAS: Who Dares Wins — who had previously summited Everest eight years ago.

A Family Affair at the Roof of the World

The climb was very much a family effort. The entire Middleton family trekked together to Everest Base Camp before Ant escorted his wife and younger children back down, then turned around to summit the peak with Gabriel. The UAE flag travelled with them all the way to the top.

“It was a whole family affair and we took the UAE flag with us,” Ant said. “It showed positivity, unity and strength. We wanted to plant the flag on top of the world as we know the UAE has been keeping the family all safe.”

The Middletons have called Dubai home for the past three years, and the gesture was their way of expressing gratitude. “It’s a token of our appreciation,” Ant added.

The Youngest Brit on Top of the World

For Gabriel, the climb pushed him to his absolute limits — and beyond.

“I never knew that through such depth of pain and suffering that there could be so much elation on the other end,” Gabriel reflected. “It was as if the pain just vanished and turned into instant joy once the task was complete. Watching my father lead by example made me realise that it’s possible.”

Ant, a father of four, was visibly moved by his son’s achievement: “This moment symbolises being back on top of the world. I extend this feeling to the UAE. You too will be back on top before you know it.”

Dubai’s Adventurous Spirit on the World Stage

This milestone adds to a growing list of extraordinary achievements tied to the UAE’s adventurous community. From Emirati climbers making history in Antarctica to UAE students trekking to Everest Base Camp, the spirit of pushing boundaries is very much alive in this region.

Gabriel’s record-breaking summit is not just a personal triumph — it’s a proud moment for Dubai and the UAE, whose flag now counts the highest point on Earth among the places it has flown.