William to make brief trip to Dubai at request of Government

PA Wire

The Duke of Cambridge will visit Dubai next month and join events showcasing talent from across the UK, Kensington Palace has announced.

William’s trip to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on February 10 will be his first major overseas visit since a 2019 tour of the Middle East and is being made at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

The duke, who has never officially travelled to the UAE, will visit Expo 2020 Dubai which is being temporarily taken over by UK National Day.

The Duke of Cambridge will be making his first official trip to the UAE in February (Toby Melville/PA) (PA Wire)

UK talent will be featured during the event which will also showcase the Commonwealth Games 2022 baton relay, launched by the Queen from Buckingham Palace last October, as it parades through the Expo site to visit Commonwealth national pavilions.

Britain has had strong ties with the UAE for almost 200 years.

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 Sea.

It was the discovery of oil 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.

The Queen passes the baton to British parasport athlete Kadeena Cox to launch the global relay for the Commonwealth Games being staged in Birmingham (Victoria Jones/PA) (PA Wire)

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: “The bond between the UK and the UAE is deep and strong and Prince William’s visit will highlight and build upon theses links as he has the opportunity to engage with young Emiratis, leaders from government and committed conservationists.”

During the visit the duke will learn more about initiatives protecting areas of unique flora and fauna in the region.

He will also have the opportunity to highlight his environmental award, the Earthshot Prize, and his United for Wildlife initiative tackling the illegal wildlife trade.