All The Highlights From Prince William’s Royal Visit To The Middle East

The Duke of Cambridge toured Kuwait and Oman on a four-day solo trip from 1 – 4 December

Prince William’s most recent royal engagement saw him embark on a four-day solo trip to Kuwait and Oman, on behalf of the United Kingdom. The visit marks the first time that the Duke of Cambridge has visited both countries in the region, following in the footsteps of his father and grandmother, Prince Charles and Queen Elizabeth II, respectively. 

The Duke enagaged in a plethora of talks and activities from 1 – 4 December, including discovering more about the uniqueness of the local culture and discussing topical issues such as sustainability and conservation of the natural envionment. 

Scroll through for all the highlights from Prince William’s solo trip to the Middle East.

View this post on Instagram

On the first day of his official visit to Kuwait, at the Jahra Nature Reserve The Duke of Cambridge learned more about Kuwait’s ambitious plans to protect its natural environment from human and environmental challenges. Scientists from Kuwait’s Environmental Public Authority (@epa_kw) and the UK’s Centre for Environment, Fisheries & Aquaculture Science (@cefasgovuk) are working in partnership to promote Kuwait’s biodiversity and inform its approach to marine environment conservation. The Duke joined them on the reserve’s salt marshes, reed beds and sandy sabkha flats for several activities studying the wetlands’ wildlife including identifying some of the 300 species of birds seen at the reserve. Kuwait is working to tackle the global issue of plastic pollution through a combination of raising public awareness, recycling, education and organising beach cleans – The Duke also joined a beach clean at the reserve. #RoyalVisitKuwait #Kuwait

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 2, 2019 at 1:01am PST

Per reports by USA Today, William arrived in Kuwait on Sunday night, where he then visited the Jahra Nature Reserve in Kuwait City, to learn more about the nation’s conservation efforts.

View this post on Instagram

Shooting hoops at the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre (@ascckw), where The Duke of Cambridge saw how the museum is educating and engaging young Kuwaitis in innovative ways across a range of areas, from space exploration and robotics to natural history and human biology. The Duke joined children from local primary schools as they explored a number of the museum’s interactive zones, and heard more about how the cultural centre is enhancing UK-Kuwait relations, particularly in education and culture. As part of his visit, The Duke also highlighted the role played by the British Council (@kwbritish) in empowering the next generation, particularly through the programme ‘Taqaddam’, (Arabic for ‘Moving forward’) which encourages innovative thinking among Kuwaiti school children to build up their life skills. #RoyalVisitKuwait #Kuwait

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 2, 2019 at 8:25am PST

The following day, the Duke paid a visit to the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre, where he was discovered how the musem was helping to educate and engage young Kuwaitis in the fields of STEM. 

View this post on Instagram

In a traditional Kuwaiti tent in the desert outside of Kuwait City The Duke of Cambridge joined Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah and young Kuwaitis for a special event to experience what makes rural Kuwaiti culture so unique including traditional Kuwaiti music and crafts, pit cooking and falconry. #RoyalVisitKuwait #Kuwait

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 2, 2019 at 10:08am PST

That evening, William joined Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah in the Kuwaiti desert for a special night showcasing the very best of the rich, local culture.

View this post on Instagram

The Duke of Cambridge has spent time in Kuwait and Oman understanding the important security history of the region, and the UK’s current links with both countries from a defence perspective. In Kuwait, The Duke joined Kuwaiti and UK troops at Exercise Desert Warrior for the bi-annual training exercise. The Duke then travelled to Musandam in Oman to learn more about the Royal Navy of Oman’s responsibilities monitoring maritime traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. Oman and Kuwait are key partners for the UK – The Duke met military personnel in both countries who are sharing expertise to improve security Kensington Palace / PA #RoyalVisitKuwait #RoyalVisitOman

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 3, 2019 at 8:33am PST

Prince William also spent time in both Kuwait and Oman meeting military personnel to strenghten the bond between the United Kingdom, Kuwait and Oman from a defense perspective. 

View this post on Instagram

Joining local fishermen on the traditional fishing skiffs on the beach in Oman, The Duke of Cambridge heard about how they fish, the challenges to sustainability, and actions being taken to conserve Oman’s marine environment. At the Marine Science Centre The Duke also met Omani scientists collaborating with @cefasgovuk, to learn more about how the UK is supporting Oman aquaculture and fisheries to become more sustainable, particularly in the face of climate change. #RoyalVisitOman

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 4, 2019 at 2:16am PST

In Oman, William joined local fisherman to discuss the future of a sustainable fishing industry in the face of climate change. 

View this post on Instagram

Near the Wadi al Arbaeen, The Duke of Cambridge visited the mountain village of Suwaih, where he received a spectacular musical welcome from the locals. After meeting some of the locals, The Duke joined the village elders at an outdoor majlis seating area to learn more about life and challenges in the village today. Photos PA / Kensington Palace #RoyalVisitOman

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 4, 2019 at 6:14am PST

The Duke also met with Omani locals to discover more about their heritage and the challenges their culture faces in today’s modern world.

View this post on Instagram

Building bridges with @OutwardBoundOman – The Duke of Cambridge joined young Omanis taking part in a training exercise at the Wadi al Arbaeen. Outward Bound, which launched in Wales in 1941 to equip young people with important life skills through learning and adventures in the wild, was established in Oman in 2009. At the wadi, The Duke joined young people, instructors and members of the community as they took part in activities designed to develop skills including leadership, resilience, and teamwork. Photos PA / Kensington Palace #RoyalVisitOman

A post shared by Kensington Palace (@kensingtonroyal) on Dec 4, 2019 at 11:12am PST

Towards the end of his royal visit, Prince William also engaged in a number of teamwork exercises with young Omanis at the Wadi al Arbaeen.