News

News

TRH begin their tour of the Gulf in Kuwait

19th February 2007

The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall flew into Kuwait today to begin a 10-day tour of the Gulf that will include Qatar, Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates (Abu Dhabi and Dubai).

Their Royal Highnesses’s visit to the Gulf is on behalf of the British Government and will reinforce Britain’s friendship with key allies at the most senior levels.

It will advance key British Government priorities in the promotion of moderate Islam, military co-operation, environmental protection and energy security.

To this end, the tour will include extensive meetings with the Ruling Families, senior religious leaders, military personnel, business leaders and educationalists.

The Prince and The Duchess arrived in the capital Kuwait City and were greeted by Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Heir to the Amir of Kuwait, who will be their host during the three-day visit.

The Prince and The Duchess smiled and shook hands with many senior members of Kuwait's ruling Al-Sabah family as they walked down a long red carpet.

Britain's Ambassador in Kuwait Stuart Laing, who was also present, said: "From the view of the British Government we are delighted Their Royal Highnesses have come to Kuwait.

"We know this is going to be a very full tour for them with a very heavy list of engagements - we admire them for taking it up.

"In Kuwait we hope to strengthen the position of Britain in Kuwait, through Their Royal Highnesses' presence.

"In particular we hope to advance the cause of better understanding between our cultures - the world of Islam and the west - in particular through the contacts The Prince will have with the grand mosque and the (Kuwaiti) minister of religious affairs."

The Prince, who has travelled to the Gulf many times on behalf of the British Government, headed for a VIP suite at the airport to share tea with the Crown Prince.

The Duchess, who wore a navy blue Armani suit and cream cashmere scarf, held a separate meeting with the Crown Prince's wife Sheika Sharifa Al-Sabah.

They enjoyed a cup of tea - which is taken strong, without milk and usually with sugar in the Middle East – and chatted with the help of an interpreter.

The Duchess asked Sheika Sharifa about the climate in her country.

Her Royal Highness said: "It's very nice to be here, what's the weather like, is it hot?"

"It's a great pleasure for me to be here, I've never been to this part of the world before. We're very excited."

The Prince has travelled to the Gulf on a number of occasions, most recently to Kuwait last year following the death of the country's Amir and to the UAE in 2004 for the funeral of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nanyan.