Prince William enjoys a spot of birdwatching and goes on a litter pick as he visits a Kuwaiti nature reserve on the first full day of his solo tour of the Middle East

• William is making first official visit to Kuwait and Oman at request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office
• Duke of Cambridge makes solo tour on 120th anniversary of the signing of Treaty of Friendship with Kuwait
• The prince will visit Kuwait City, Muscat, the vast Kuwaiti deserts and valleys of the Omani mountains 
•  Later today, Prince William has an audience with Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

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 on Sunday for the start of a four-day tour of the region which will also see him 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 Duke of Cambridge is pictured at the Jahra Nature Reserve during day two of his trip to the Middle East, where he is learning about Kuwait’s plans to deal with environmental challenges 

Pictured, left, Prince William sees firsthand the impact of plastic on the Kuwaiti environment. The Duke of Cambridge is on a four-day trip to the Middle East to learn about environmental issues 

Prince William enjoyed a spot of bird-watching in Kuwait where he also learned about the impact of plastic on the county’s environment as part of a four-day trip 

Prince William is pictured meeting with representatives at the Jahra Nature Reserve in Kuwaiti City’s wetlands as part of a four-day trip to the Middle East 

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

William’s visit will renew and strengthen ties between Britain and Kuwait, and the monarchy’s personal bonds with the Gulf state’s ruling Al-Sabah family.

The duke’s tour begins in earnest on Monday and the highlight will be a desert encampment staged for William outside the capital Kuwait City.

A cultural experience will be laid on for the royal visitor from dates and coffee to camels as he meets young leaders, entrepreneurs and university students.

Kensington Palace said about 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.’

During Monday, William will visit Kuwait City’s wetlands to discover more about the countries ambitious plans to protect its natural environment.

The duke will also have an audience with the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at his Bayan Palace and stay for lunch. Later, at a major cultural centre, William will meet young Kuwaitis and accompany the primary school children as they explore a number of the attraction’s interactive zones.

The Duke of Cambridge is accompanied by Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, minister of the Amiri Diwan, the Royal court, after arriving in Kuwait on Sunday night. The prince is making his first official visits to the two countries at the request of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office

The Duke of Cambridge shaking hands with Kuwaiti officials tonight ahead of his meeting tomorrow with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Kensington Palace said William will learn about organisations working to educate and empower young people, and projects providing opportunities for them to develop life skills like leadership and resilience (pictured: Prince William greeting Kuwaiti officials after arriving tonight)

Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, shaking hands with Kuwaiti officials upon his arrival at Kuwait International Airport

Last night Prince William tonight arrived in the Middle East for a tour to honour the historic ties between Britain and the Gulf Nations.  

Prior to the trip, Kensington Palace said the duke was looking forward to it, adding: ‘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 William will learn about organisations working to educate and empower young people, and projects providing opportunities for them to develop life skills like leadership and resilience.

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.

William’s visit to Kuwait begins in earnest on Monday when he will visit Kuwait City’s wetlands to discover more about the countries ambitious plans to protect its natural environment.

Prince William laughs with Sheikh Ali al-Jarrah al-Sabah, Kuwait’s Minister of the Amiri Diwan (Royal Palace) Affairs, after arriving at Kuwait International Airport on Sunday night

Prince William and Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah are trailed by other government officials and military personnel as they make their way towards a reception on Sunday night, the duke will have lunch and an audience with the Emir tomorrow

Prince William sits beside Sheikh Ali Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah after arriving on Sunday night. Tomorrow at a major cultural centre, William will meet young Kuwaitis and accompany primary school children as they explore a number of the attraction’s interactive zones

Prince William and Kuwait’s Minister of the Amiri Diwan (Royal Palace) Affairs, Sheikh Ali al-Jarrah al-Sabah, at Kuwait International Airport on Sunday night

The Duke of Cambridge is flanked by Kuwaiti officials and military personnel after arriving in the Kuwaiti capital on Sunday night

The duke will have an audience with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at his Bayan Palace and stay for lunch.

Later, at a major cultural centre, William will meet young Kuwaitis and accompany the primary school children as they explore a number of the attraction’s interactive zones.

The duke will end his day by joining young leaders, entrepreneurs and university students in the Kuwaiti desert in a tent to experience some of the country’s rural traditions.

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