The British prince has embarked on his most politically sensitive visit to date as he arrived in the Middle East
Prince William has begun his long-awaited Middle East tour by making Jordan his first port of call. This is hardly surprising considering that British and Jordanian royal families are firm friends. William was being hosted by the 23-year-old Jordanian crown prince. It is a confirmation that the visit to Jordan is as much about cementing personal relationships as anything else.
In a speech at a garden party at the British ambassador’s residence the prince said:
“The ties between our royal families stretch back over generations. My grandmother, the Queen, and his late majesty King Hussein ascended to the throne exactly one month apart in 1952. The Queen to this day talks fondly of the special bond of friendship that existed between them. Your royal highnesses, I look forward to continuing to strengthen this bond between our families in the years to come.”
No member of the royal family has made an official visit there on behalf of the government and William is aware that an unguarded remark could cause a furore. The visit is intended to convey the message that royal visits can be part of normal British-Israeli relations, however critical Britain might be of Israeli policy.
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