Prince William has arrived in Dubai ahead of a whirlwind 24 hour visit to showcase the best British industry and talent.
The Duke of Cambridge is for the first time taking his global environmental project The Earthshot Prize on the road as it enters its second year.
William’s first-ever trip to the United Arab Emirates also comes as the country marks its 50th anniversary and coincides with the UK hosting its National Day at Expo 2020 Dubai tomorrow.
The Expo, which concludes next month, has been a six-month project from 190 countries hosting exhibits on innovation, technology and culture.
William will also be highlighting efforts to counter the illegal trade in wildlife with his United for Wildlife campaign which he set up in 2014.
The Duke of Cambridge’s first foreign visit since he travelled to the Republic of Ireland with wife Kate in February 2020 comes as the royal family is seeking to strengthen ties with the Gulf State, after recent visits to the Middle East, including Jordan and Israel.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: "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.”
Britain has been looking to the Gulf countries for trade deals as part of its post-Brexit strategy to build new ties around the world.
In September, the oil-rich Gulf state pledged to invest £10 billion in British clean energy, infrastructure, technology and life sciences, expanding its "sovereign investment partnership" with the UK government.
However, there has been criticism from opposition lawmakers and campaigners that the British government has prioritised business deals over human rights concerns.
It also comes after a senior judge at the High Court in London ruled last year that Dubai's ruler, Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum, had ordered the hacking of the phones of his ex-wife, Princess Haya of Jordan, and her legal team including a British lawyer.
That followed an earlier ruling by the judge that Mohammed had carried out a campaign of threats and intimidation against Haya that made her fear for her life, and that he had also previously abducted and mistreated two of his daughters by another marriage.
