A tree-mendous start! Prince William plants a sapling with school children in Abu Dhabi as he begins his whirlwind one-day visit to the UAE
- Prince William has arrived in the UAE and started his whirlwind one-day visit
- Pictured planting a sapling alongside British School Al-Khubairat students
- Also met Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office
Prince William has arrived in the United Arab Emirates and started his whirlwind one-day visit by planting a tree with the help of school children.
The Duke of Cambridge, 39, who arrived in Dubai last night for his first major royal overseas visit in more than two years, toured Abu Dhabi’s wetlands at the Jubail Magrove Park today.
He was pictured planting a sapling alongside British School Al-Khubairat students after meeting with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office.
William visited the park to learn more about the UAE’s efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country’s urban centres continue to grow and develop.
Prince William (pictured) has arrived in the United Arab Emirates and started his whirlwind one-day visit by planting a tree with the help of two school children
The Duke of Cambridge (pictured right), 39, who arrived in Dubai last night for his first major royal overseas visit in more than two years, toured Abu Dhabi’s wetlands at the Jubail Magrove Park today
William met with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office (pictured together)
The prince, who will also carry out engagements in Dubai today with the aim of celebrating British talent in the region and promoting conservation efforts, announced his arrival on Instagram on Wednesday night with a photo taken through an airplane window.
The caption read: ‘Excited to be arriving in Dubai to celebrate the UK at @DubaiExpo and discuss the vital issue of working together with the UAE and international partners to achieve a more sustainable world with @earthshotprize and United for Wildlife. W.’
It marks the Duke of Cambridge’s first major overseas trip since a December 2019 tour of the Middle East. He and Kate also visited Ireland in 2020.
The visit is being carried out at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
Prince William’s visit comes in the 50th anniversary year of the UAE and will coincide with the UK National Day being held at Expo 2020 Dubai.
He was pictured planting a sapling alongside British School Al-Khubairat students (above)
William (pictured left) visited the park to learn more about the UAE’s efforts to protect the regional flora and fauna from human and environmental challenges, particularly as the country’s urban centres continue to grow and develop
The prince (pictured centre) will also carry out engagements in Dubai today with the aim of celebrating British talent in the region and promoting conservation efforts
William (pictured right) announced his arrival on Instagram on Wednesday night with a photo taken through an airplane window
William with Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan, chairman of Abu Dhabi’s Executive Office (pictured right)
The visit marks the Duke of Cambridge’s (pictured centre) first major overseas trip since a December 2019 tour of the Middle East. He and Kate also visited Ireland in 2020
The visit is being carried out at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. Pictured, The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
The National Day will see the UK take over the full site to showcase the extraordinary talent from across the UK.
William will join these celebrations, which will also feature the Birmingham 2022 Queen’s Baton Relay, launched by Her Majesty from Buckingham Palace in October 2021, as it parades through the Expo site to visit Commonwealth National Pavilions.
The royal will also meet with young Emiratis, leaders from government and committed conservationists to strengthen relations between the UK and the UAE.
During the visit, Prince William will learn more about initiatives that provide protected areas for the unique flora and fauna of the region and take the opportunity to highlight two Royal Foundation programmes: United for Wildlife and The Earthshot Prize.
United for Wildlife, established by Prince William in 2014, has been working in the region to help facilitate efforts to counter the trade in illegal wildlife which poses an existential threat to the world’s most iconic species.
During the visit, Prince William (pictured left) will learn more about initiatives that provide protected areas for the unique flora and fauna of the region and take the opportunity to highlight two Royal Foundation programmes: United for Wildlife and The Earthshot Prize
United for Wildlife, established by Prince William (pictured right) in 2014, has been working in the region to help facilitate efforts to counter the trade in illegal wildlife which poses an existential threat to the world’s most iconic species
The visit (pictured) also provides an opportunity to showcase The Earthshot Prize on the world stage at Expo 2020 Dubai
Highlighting some of the remarkable innovators from the inaugural 2021 Earthshot Prize will help accelerate and scale their incredible solutions to repair the planet. Pictured, The Duke of Cambridge talks to Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan
Britain has had strong ties with the UAE for almost 200 years – a relationship that endures to this day. The region’s importance to the UK was down to its location close to the vital trade route to India via the waters of the Arabian and Red Seas. Pictured, William, right
Countries all over the world, including the UAE, are making a collective effort to tackle this $150bn criminal enterprise and during his visit, His Royal Highness will learn more about public-private partnerships in the UAE helping to achieve this.
The visit also provides an opportunity to showcase The Earthshot Prize on the world stage at Expo 2020 Dubai.
Highlighting some of the remarkable innovators from the inaugural 2021 Earthshot Prize will help accelerate and scale their incredible solutions to repair the planet.
Britain has had strong ties with the UAE for almost 200 years – a relationship that endures to this day.
The region’s importance to the UK was down to its location close to the vital trade route to India via the waters of the Arabian and Red Seas.
The Duke of Cambridge announced his arrival on Instagram with a photo taken out an airplane window (pictured above)
It was the discovery of ‘black gold’ in the 1950s that transformed the Gulf from a collection of sleepy harbours, where fishing and the declining pearl industry were the mainstays of the economy, to a global financial powerhouse.
The UAE was created in 1971 by the ‘Trucial States’ which had gained their independence from the UK.
It is formed of seven states – Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ajman, Fujairah, Ras al Khaimah, Sharjah and Umm al Qaiwain – which are governed by a supreme council of rulers made up of the seven emirs, who appoint the prime minister and the cabinet.
Kensington Palace said when the visit was first announced: ‘The bond between the UK and the UAE is deep and strong and Prince William’s visit will highlight and build upon these links as he has the opportunity to engage with young Emiratis, leaders from government and committed conservationists.’
The trip comes just days after it emerged the Duke of Cambridge is ‘supportive’ of the Queen’s move to make his stepmother Queen consort.
Prince William was not part of the decision-making process, the Daily Mail understands, but is ‘respectful’ of the logic of his grandmother’s decision.
Source: Read Full Article
