Princess Kate Skips William’s Saudi Arabia Tour
Princess Catherine will not travel with Prince William when he visits Saudi Arabia next week on an official royal tour requested by His Majesty’s Government. The Prince of Wales is due to be in the Kingdom from Monday 9 February to Wednesday 11 February, with the trip positioned as part of efforts to support trade and the relationship between the UK and Saudi Arabia.
Kensington Palace said the Prince of Wales will visit Saudi Arabia between 9 and 11 February, with the tour described as his first official visit to the Middle Eastern country, Express.co.uk reported.
No official reason was provided for the Princess of Wales’s absence, but the report said it is likely linked to her preference to remain at home during school term time with the couple’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. It added that the Waleses are understood to prioritise having at least one parent present for their children’s school routines and schedules.
The decision comes amid a period of heightened public interest in the Princess of Wales’s diary, with Britpop News recently reporting that Princess Kate is bracing for a “testing and demanding year” as she balances her role with family commitments.
Prince William’s engagements in Saudi Arabia are expected to run across several days, with the Palace statement indicating the visit is taking place at the Government’s request. Any further details about the programme and whether other members of the Royal Family will join future overseas tours are likely to be confirmed closer to departure.
