Prince William visits UAE as Britain seeks to deepen ties

FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, delivers a speech at the Tusk Conservation Awards in London, Britain, November 22, 2021. REUTERS/Toby Melville/Pool/File Photo

DUBAI (Reuters) - Prince William, second in line to the British throne, began on Thursday a visit to the United Arab Emirates at a time when the former British protectorate has faced an unprecedented though mostly foiled string of missile and drone attacks.

Kensington Palace said it was the Duke of Cambridge's first official visit to the UAE. Six of its emirates ceased being British protectorates 50 years ago when they joined in a federation. The seventh joined in 1972.