Visitors to Expo 2020 Dubai will have a chance to see Britain's Prince William during his first official trip to the Emirates next week.
The world's fair will celebrate the UK's day of celebrations on Thursday, February 10.
The Duke of Cambridge will meet young Emiratis, government leaders and staff from the UK pavilion on the same day. No special tickets are required to enter Expo 2020 Dubai on the day and the site will be open to the public as usual.
The visit by the prince aims to build on the strong bond between the UK and UAE.
Though full details of his itinerary have not yet been released, Prince William will join several events and celebrations that highlight talent from across the UK.
He is expected to lead the Queen’s Baton Relay parade as it moves through the sprawling Expo site, passing through Commonwealth national pavilions, including Jamaica, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
During a visit to the world’s fair by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in December, visitors were able to catch a glimpse of him as he made his way through Al Wasl Plaza, the Saudi Pavilion and other areas of the site.
Some walkways may be fenced off to allow Prince William to move freely throughout his tour but, if previous visits are anything to go by, it is expected that the royal will engage with the public when passing by crowds.
As a big conservationist, the prince will also learn more about the initiatives protecting areas of unique flora and fauna in the region and he will meet leading figures heading the programmes.
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.
In April last year, Prince William was one of a host of people who signed a petition calling on the public to help repair the planet on Earth Day.
The letter, published in the lead-up to the Leaders Summit on Climate, which was hosted at Expo, urged the world to “harness that same spirit of invention” witnessed during the Covid-19 pandemic to repair the planet and create a cleaner, healthier Earth.
Next week, the duke is expected to address some of these issues during his meets with leaders in the UAE.
Prince William in Kuwait - in pictures
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The Duke of Cambridge joined youg Kuwaitis for a special event in the desert outside Kuwait City. Twitter/ @KensingtonRoyal -
The Duke of Cambridge joined young Kuwaitis for a special event in the desert outside Kuwait City. Twitter/ @KensingtonRoyal -
The Duke of Cambridge joined young Kuwaitis for a special event in the desert outside Kuwait City. Twitter/ @KensingtonRoyal -
The Duke of Cambridge joined young Kuwaitis for a special event in the desert outside Kuwait City. Twitter/ @KensingtonRoyal -
Britain's Prince William (2nd L) walks with Deputy Minister of the Diwan Amiri, Sheikh Mohammed Abdullah Mubarak al Sabah (2nd R) during his visit in Midan Hawalli, Kuwait. REUTERS -
Prince William Duke of Cambridge visits the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Center in Kuwait City, Kuwait. AP Photo -
Prince William Duke of Cambridge, second left, visits the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Center with Kuwaiti Deputy Minister of Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah Al-Mubarak Al-Sabah, center, in Kuwait City. AP Photo -
Britain's Duke of Cambridge Prince William and Kuwait's environment public authority Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah (L) listen to a member of the staff at Kuwait's Jahra Pools nature reserve, 35kms north of the Kuwaiti capital, during a beach cleaning operation. AFP -
Prince William Duke of Cambridge, left, talks to officials at the al Jahra Nature Reserve outside Kuwait city. AP Photo -
Britain's Duke of Cambridge Prince William talks to staff at Kuwait's Jahra Pools nature reserve, 35kms north of the Kuwaiti capital. AFP -
Britain's Duke of Cambridge Prince William (2nd R) and director of Kuwait's environment public authority Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah (L) talk to the staff at Jahra Pools nature reserve, 35kms north of the Kuwaiti capital, during a beach cleaning operation. AFP -
Britain's Duke of Cambridge Prince William (C) flanked by Kuwait's environment public authority Sheikh Abdullah Ahmad Al-Humoud Al-Sabah, are guided by members of the staff at Jahra Pools nature reserve, 35kms north of the Kuwaiti capital, during a beach cleaning operation. AFP -
The Duke of Cambridge being shown around Jahra Nature Reserve. Twitter/ @Kensington Royal -
The Duke of Cambridge being shown around Jahra Nature Reserve. Twitter/ @Kensington Royal -
The Duke of Cambridge being shown around Jahra Nature Reserve. Twitter/ @Kensington Royal -
The Duke of Cambridge being shown around Jahra Nature Reserve. Twitter/ @Kensington Royal -
The Duke of Cambridge being shown around Jahra Nature Reserve. Twitter/ @Kensington Royal -
Jahra Nature Reserve. Twitter/ @Kensington Royal -
Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is received by Kuwait's Minister of the Amiri Diwan (Royal Palace) Affairs, Sheikh Ali al-Jarrah al-Sabah, at Kuwait International Airport. EPA -
A photo provided by the Kuwaiti news agency KUNA on December 2, 2019 shows Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge (L), being received by Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmad Al-Sabah in Kuwait City. - === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / KUNA" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === / AFP / KUNA / - / === RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / HO / KUNA" - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS === -
Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, shakes hands with Kuwaiti officials upon his arrival at Kuwait International Airport. AFP -
Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is received by Kuwait's Minister of the Amiri Diwan (Royal Palace) Affairs, Sheikh Ali al-Jarrah al-Sabah. EPA -
Britain's Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, is received by Kuwait's Minister of the Amiri Diwan (Royal Palace) Affairs, Sheikh Ali al-Jarrah al-Sabah, at Kuwait International Airport. EPA
