Prince William Arrives In Dubai On Commercial Flight Sans Kate Middleton To Promote Sustainable World

Prince William has arrived safely in Dubai and is excited for his first official visit to the country.

The Duke of Cambridge shared a stunning photo of the city in the United Arab Emirates from a plane window on social media Wednesday. The royal took the snap while aboard a commercial plane shortly before landing.

"Excited to be arriving in Dubai to celebrate the UK at @expo2020dubai and discuss the vital issue of working together with the UAE and international partners to achieve a more sustainable world with @earthshotprize and @unitedforwildlife," he wrote on Instagram.

The duke signed it with "W" for "William," indicating the personal nature of the post.

The solo trip is Prince William's first official visit to the UAE. He will join the events showcasing British talent at the Expo 2020 Dubai on Thursday for the U.K. National Day, the BBC reported.

The event was initially supposed to run in 2020. However, the opening was pushed back until October due to the COVID-19 pandemic. More than 190 countries are attending the event to show off their cultures and innovations. The Dubai government spent $7bn (£5.2bn) for the event, and it hopes to attract 25 million visitors to boost the country's tourism and investment.

For his visit, the second in line to the throne will learn about initiatives that protect the unique flora and fauna in the region. He will also highlight two Royal Foundation programs — United for Wildlife and The Earthshot Prize, People reported.

However, the event received some criticisms due to UAE's human rights record. Last year, the European Parliament urged the member states not to participate and support the Expo, citing UAE's "human rights issues" and "inhumane practices against foreign workers."

The UAE foreign ministry rejected the resolution and denied the allegations, saying they were "factually incorrect." It also insisted that the laws in the country provide fair treatment to all residents and citizens.

Prince William's Dubai trip marked his first official trip abroad after almost two years. His wife, Kate Middleton, didn't join him for the engagement. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last traveled overseas when they visited Ireland in March 2020 before countries abroad upheld travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.