They are both men of many talents, able to fly helicopters, ride motorcycles and deliver addresses to fellow world leaders. But King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Hussein bin Abdullah added another string to their respective bows this week.
The Jordanian royals demonstrated their diving prowess in a new video shared by Queen Rania Abdullah, as they submerged themselves to help clear up the seabed around the coast of Aqaba.
The father and son were seen collecting litter from the sandy floor as they wore wetsuits and donned oxygen tanks, in the clip shared on the queen's Instagram on Tuesday.
"His Majesty and Crown Prince Al Hussein in the beautiful waters of Aqaba," Queen Rania captioned the video, which was filmed off the coast of the port city that straddles the Red Sea.
King Abdullah II, who has ruled Jordan since 1999, was also seen helping free a sea turtle from netting in the video, which highlights the need to protect the country's marine life.
"God has blessed Jordan with countless natural treasures," reads text in the two and a half minute video, set alongside images of sites such as the ancient city of Petra. "One of its most spectacular wonders is a heaven hidden out of sight."
The video reveals that the amount of divers headed to Aqaba between 2015 and 2019 has quadrupled, urging visitors both underwater and on land to do their bit to keep Jordan's seas clean.
"Though it may be out of sight, it is a stone’s throw away," the video, shared with Queen Rania's 5.8 million followers, states. "Let us work together hand in hand to conserve our marine ecosystem and preserve this natural heritage, Jordan’s paradise."
Queen Rania's video, which has been viewed more than 140,000 times since it was uploaded, has been inundated with comments praising King Abdullah II and the Crown Prince for leading by example.
Diving is one of Aqaba's most popular pastimes for residents and tourists, with the Red Sea home to hundreds of varieties of fish as well as coral and other marine life.
