Prince William
Unexpected trip to Kuwait just before Christmas
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The Christmas plans are thwarted: Prince William will deliver condolences on site following the death of the Emir of Kuwait.
Prince William (41) is taking an unexpected trip abroad just a week before Christmas. As Kensington Palace announced on Monday, according to British media reports, the heir to the throne is interrupting his Christmas break and traveling on behalf of his father, King Charles III. (75), to Kuwait. The reason is the death of the 16th Emir Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah (1937-2023), who died on Saturday, December 16, 2023, at the age of 86. William is accompanied on this trip by Foreign Secretary and former Prime Minister David Cameron (57).
He will personally deliver the British royal family’s condolences to the new head of state and half-brother of the late emir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jabar Al-Sabah (83). The British royals have maintained very good relations with Kuwait for decades. In the past year alone, the new emir visited Great Britain three times as heir to the throne: for the coronation of King Charles III. in May, in August at the government’s invitation and as recently as October for a meeting with Charles.
Prince William is expected at Sandringham
The trip is also surprising because the British royals traditionally retire before the holidays to spend time with family and only attend official appointments in absolutely exceptional situations. The school of Princess Charlotte (8) and Prince Louis (5) has closed its doors since last Friday. Every Christmas, the royal family gathers at Sandringham in Norfolk to celebrate the festival together. William is expected to head straight to Sandringham upon his return from Kuwait. The royal family is expected to attend the Christmas service at St. Mary Magdalene Church on December 25th.