PRINCE William has arrived in the Middle East as part of his historic first official visit to Kuwait and Oman.
A highlight of the Duke of Cambridge’s four-day trip will be camping in the desert, outside the capital Kuwait City.
Prince William arrived in Kuwait on Sunday for a tour of the region, to coincide with the 120th anniversary of the signing of a friendship treaty between Britain and Kuwait.
A cultural experience is in line for the royal, as he will chat with young leaders, entrepreneurs and university students.
Kensington Palace said Prince William will learn about organisations working to educate and empower young people.
He’ll also get a firsthand account of projects giving them chances to develop life skills such as leadership and resilience.
Kensington Palace said his four-day programme “will pay tribute to the historic ties Britain shares with Kuwait and Oman”.
It will also “highlight strong links and cooperation in many areas, including education, the environment, and defence.
“From the modern capitals of Kuwait City and Muscat, to the vast Kuwaiti deserts and stunning wadis in the Omani mountains, the visit will take in both countries’ unique cultures, their beautiful landscapes, and diverse communities.”
The visit, at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, will include learning about the UK’s current links with both countries from a defence perspective, the palace added.
DESERT WARRIOR TRAINING
That means he’ll join Kuwaiti and UK troops on a ‘Desert Warrior’ exercise.
The Duke of Cambridge will also experience the Kuwaitis’ traditional desert lifestyle during his first official visit to the Middle East state.
Prince Williams’ tour involves spending time in Musandam, Oman, to learn more about the Royal Navy of Oman’s responsibilities monitoring maritime traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz.
His tour – which kicks off properly on Monday – will renew and strengthen ties between Britain and Kuwait, and the monarchy’s personal bonds with the Gulf state’s ruling Al Sabah family, said the Press Association.
ENVIRONMENT
The royal will visit Kuwait City’s wetlands to discover more about the country’s ambitious plans to protect its natural environment.
The Duke of Cambridge is also scheduled to meet with the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at his Bayan Palace, and stay for lunch.
Later, at a major cultural centre, Prince William will chat with young Kuwaitis and accompany the primary school children as they explore a number of the attraction’s interactive zones
This evening, upon landing in Kuwait from the UK, the royal was greeted by Britain’s Ambassador to the UK Michael Davenport.
Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, minister of the Amiri Diwan, the Amir’s court, welcomed Prince Williams and strolled alongside him into a nearby private terminal for the ruling family, past a guard of honour.
His deputy, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Al-Sabah – who will host the desert experience for Prince William – also met the royal.
The group sat down for a brief welcome chat, where they were served Middle East tea and soft drinks.
The oil-rich state of Kuwait is in a strategically important position nestling between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and with Iran nearby across the Persian Gulf.
