Journey into the desert for William on bond-building Gulf visit

THE Duke of Cambridge will experience the traditional desert lifestyle of Kuwaitis during his first official visit to the Middle East state.

William arrived in the country yesterday for the start of a four-day tour of the region, during which he will also travel to Oman.

The tour has added significance as it falls during the 120th anniversary year of the signing of the 1899 Treaty of Friendship between Kuwait and the UK.

The oil-rich state is in a strategically important position between Saudi Arabia and Iraq, and with Iran nearby across the Persian Gulf.

The Duke’s visit will renew and strengthen ties between Britain and Kuwait, and the Royal family’s personal bonds with the Gulf state’s ruling Al-sabah family. The tour was due to start today with a visit to a desert encampment staged for the Duke outside Kuwait City, the capital, with cultural experiences ranging from dates and coffee to camels. He was also due to meet young leaders, entrepreneurs and university students.

Michael Davenport, the British Ambassador to Kuwait, greeted the Duke when he arrived in the country on a commercial flight from the UK. At the nearby private terminal for the ruling family, Sheikh Ali Al-jarrah Al-sabah, the minister of the Amiri Diwan, the Amir’s court, welcomed the Duke.

Kensington Palace said of the trip: “Throughout the tour, the Duke’s programme will pay tribute to the historic ties Britain shares with Kuwait and Oman, and will 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.”

Kensington Palace said the Duke would learn about organisations working to educate and empower young people, and projects providing opportunities for them to develop life skills such as leadership and resilience. He was also due to visit Kuwait City’s wetlands to discover more about the country’s plans to protect its natural environment.

The Duke will have an audience with Sheikh Sabah Al-ahmad Al-jaber Alsabah, the Amir of Kuwait, at the Bayan Palace.

Later, at a major cultural centre, he will meet young Kuwaitis and accompany schoolchildren as they explore the attraction’s interactive zones.