Other issues set to feature prominently in the visit include inter-faith dialogue, female empowerment and efforts to preserve cultural heritage.

‘Major focus’ on climate crisis

Chris Fitzgerald, deputy private secretary to the prince, said: “The first royal tour in almost two years will come at a significant moment in the UK’s relationship with both countries.

“Their royal highnesses will first travel to Jordan, where they will celebrate both Jordan’s own centenary and 100 years of the UK-Jordan bilateral relationship.”

He said “both visits will have a major focus on addressing the climate crisis”, as Egypt takes the reins from Britain to assume the Cop27 environmental summit presidency in 2022. 

The royal family have close ties with many of the ruling families of the Middle East, including Jordan.

The Duchess of Cambridge “loved” living in Jordan as a young child, according to her husband, the Duke of Cambridge. Her father Michael, then a British Airways manager, moved to the capital of Amman in 1984 for work and took his family.

Busy schedule

The upcoming four-day tour will begin in Jordan, with the Prince of Wales meeting humanitarian groups he supports as patron. He will also highlight the nation’s role in sheltering 650,000 registered Syrian refugees and more than two million Palestinians.

Meanwhile, the Duchess of Cornwall will learn about the work of Queen Rania, wife of the ruling King Abdullah II, in protecting vulnerable children and mothers, and will take part in a Women of the World event.

In Egypt, tour highlights include a UK-Egypt reception celebrating the bond between the two countries, overlooking the pyramids at the Giza Plateau. 

They will tour the ancient city of Alexandria and visit Cairo’s Grand Imam of Al-Azhar to discuss environmental stewardship.