Photo by Duke & Duchess of Cambridge Instagram
The Duke of Cambridge paid his first official visit in the United Arab Emirates, where he highlighted the environment and his passionate work regarding climate change and wildlife conservation.
Speaking to an audience at the World’s Fair in Dubai, also known as Expo 2020, the Duke showcased The Earthshot Prize, a global award the Duke founded to highlight and scale solutions to repair the planet. In late 2021, the Prize held its first-ever award ceremony offering five, 1 million prizes to innovators and entrepreneurs seeking solutions to some of the world’s greatest environmental problems. During his speech, the Duke said: “This decade is crucial. If we do nothing, by 2030 we’ll be speeding toward increasingly devastating planetary and humanitarian crises as a result of our changing climate. We are still in a race against time.”
This one-day visit marks an important milestone in relations between the United Kingdom of the UAE, a Western-allied Gulf Arab country ruled by hereditary rulers. The visit also coincides with the U.K.’s national day at Expo 2020. The Duke visited the UK pavilion and the pavilion of the United Arab Emirates while on his visit.
During the stop, William also visited DP World’s massive Jebel Ali Port, where he observed cargo being inspected and scanned by customs, highlighting efforts tackling illegal wildlife trade. DP World is a principal partner of William’s United for Wildlife, an initiative established in 2014 by the Prince to counter trade in illegal wildlife.
William, like his father, Prince of Wales, has used his platform to advocate environmental awareness. He warns that the Earth is at a tipping point and can cause irreparable harm if it is not taken action.
Her Majesty, the Queen, visited the UAE for the first time in 1979. In 2016, the Prince of Wales made his final visit to the country.
