Prince William was forced to make a last-minute trip to Kuwait in place of his father King Charles, following the death of the country’s ruling Emir on Saturday.
Emir Sheikh Nawaf al-Ahmad al-Jaber al-Sabah passed away on December 16 aged 86, and was buried on the following day as is Muslim tradition.
The Prince of Wales was joined by Foreign Secretary David Cameron as they travelled to the Middle Eastern to pay their respects and express their sympathies for the loss – just a week before Christmas.
It means William has had to leave the festive fun to his wife Princess Kate, as she will undoubtedly be putting on some fun activities as their three children Prince George, 10, Princess Charlotte, eight, and Prince Louis, five, have broken up for the holidays.
They were greeted by officials as they arrived at Kuwait International Airport, with William later expressing his sorrow via a translator with Sheikh Meshal Al Ahmad Al Sabah, who was made Emir on Saturday following the death of his half-brother.
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No cause of death has been given for the late Sheikh Nawaf, although he was taken to hospital in late November for an unspecified illness.
Kuwaiti television was abruptly interrupted on Saturday to announce the news as Quranic texts were chanted on the screen. Now Sheikh Meshal, Kuwait’s former deputy ruler, is Emir, having previously been the world’s oldest Crown Prince aged 83.
Rishi Sunak addressed the news in a statement, saying: “I am saddened to hear of the death of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah. His Highness was a great friend of the UK and we will remember fondly all he did for our bilateral relationship and his work to promote stability in the Middle East. I offer my sincere condolences to the Al Sabah family and people of Kuwait.”
In a statement, David Cameron has said: “It was with great sorrow that I heard of the death of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah.
“He leaves behind a great legacy – the result of a long and distinguished career in the Interior Ministry, as Defence Minister, Crown Prince and latterly, as Emir.
“His contribution to regional stability, his personal commitment to global development and his work to bridge gaps between nations will long be remembered. I offer my profound condolences to Kuwait and its people at this sad time.”
