Feb 10, 2022: According to a report by Reuters, Britains’s Prince William, who is second in line to inherit the throne, began a visit to the UAE on Thursday at a time when the former British protectorate has suffered unprecedented, though mostly failed missile and drone strikes from Houthi rebels in Yemen.

Kensington Palace said it was the Duke of Cambridge’s first official visit to the UAE. When its six emirates joined a federation 50 years ago, the British protectorate ceased to exist. The visit comes at the request of the British Foreign Office as it seeks to deepen trade ties with the rich Gulf Arab states as part of its post-Brexit strategy.

William will visit the Expo 2020 in Dubai and also promote his environmental award, The Earth Shot Prize, and highlight the United for Wildlife’s campaign to combat the illegal wildlife trade.

“Excited to be arriving in Dubai to celebrate the UK at @DubaiExpo and discuss the vital issue of working together with the UAE and international partners to achieve a more sustainable world,” William wrote on Twitter.

The oil-rich UAE last year pledged 10 billion pounds in investment to Britain and said it wanted a free trade agreement with it. But as Britain seeks to engage globally after Brexit, opposition lawmakers and campaigners have criticized the government for prioritizing business over human rights concerns.

The United Kingdom condemned the January 17 drone and missile attack that killed three civilians in the UAE capital, Abu Dhabi, and was claimed by Yemen’s Iranian-linked Houthis, against whom the UAE and Saudi Arabia led a military alliance.

The United Arab Emirates has said two more Houthi airstrikes and a fourth claimed by another, lesser known group, were stopped without any casualties.

Although the British monarch lacks practical powers and is expected to be non-partisan, it does give Britain the status of a “soft” power in global, diplomatic relations. Prince Charles, William’s father and first of the throne, has visited the Gulf several times and established strong ties with the region.

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