Prince William’s Saudi tree-planting draws Kate comparisons
Prince William has drawn comparisons to the Princess of Wales after a hands-on moment during his official visit to Saudi Arabia, where he planted a tree without gloves. The Prince of Wales, 43, was in the Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla province on Wednesday as part of the final day of his trip, learning about efforts to restore the local ecosystem.
At the reserve, Hello Magazine reported that Prince William refused to wear gloves while raking soil around an acacia sapling, telling those present: “I like to get my hands dirty,” as he heard about plans to plant 10 million trees across the area in the next decade.
The moment prompted royal fans to compare the Prince’s approach to Princess Kate, who previously planted the “Catherine’s Rose” without gloves during a hospital visit, according to the report. Hello quoted supporters suggesting the shared gesture showed the couple’s down-to-earth style as future King and Queen.
The planting took place as the Prince continues an overseas programme that has also included public moments in Riyadh, where he faced questions over the Royal Family’s response to controversy involving the Duke of York, with Prince William confronted in Riyadh over the Royal Family’s Epstein response during the same trip.
The visit to Sharaan Nature Reserve is being positioned as part of the Prince’s wider focus on environmental restoration and conservation, and comes as the Prince and Princess of Wales balance high-profile official duties with a carefully managed public schedule.
