Much as Kate Middleton would love to share royal duties with her husband, Prince William, sometimes mommy duties have to come first. It is believed that the Duchess of Cambridge did not join William on his Persian Gulf royal tour to be able to spend time with their three children.
Just weeks after their successful trip to Pakistan, Prince William traveled to Kuwait on Sunday to kick off the four-day tour in the Middle East. Apparently, the royal trip to Kuwait and Oman was requested by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office of Britain. The office is responsible for protecting and promoting the country's interests worldwide.
This is William's first official visit to Kuwait and Oman. The tour also aims to celebrate and honor the long-standing ties between Britain and Kuwait. It also marks the 120th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship with Kuwait.
The Duke of Cambridge will visit Kuwait and Oman from December 1 to December 5. Kate, on the other hand, remains at home with their three children: Prince George, six, Princess Charlotte, four, and Prince Louis, one.
Kate's reason for staying home instead of joining William in the Middle East could be the upcoming Christmas holidays. The 37-year-old mother to the heirs to the throne may have wanted to stay at home with the kids ahead of the holidays. The Cambridges live at Kensington Palace in London. However, they move to Anmer Hall, their home in Norfolk, during the holidays.
Prince George and Princess Charlotte, who both attend St George's school in Battersea, are expected to start their holiday break from school in the coming week. Kate may want to get all the festive preparations done before their children get to stay home for the school break.
Meanwhile, William has so far taken a tour of the Jahra Nature Reserve outside Kuwait and had lunch with the Emir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah on Monday. According to a statement from Kensington Palace, the father-of-three royal will also check on the Kuwaiti and UK troops undertaking a Desert Warrior Exercise. William himself was a military veteran.
Then, the Duke of Cambridge will travel to Musandam in Oman to learn more about the country's Royal Navy who is responsible for monitoring maritime traffic passing through the Strait of Hormuz. He will also be meeting the Sultan of Oman.
William's trip abroad would mean he will be missing the Buckingham Palace reception on Tuesday to celebrate the 70th anniversary of NATO. Queen Elizabeth II will host it. World leaders, including Donald Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, will be attending the event.
Kate and Prince William are expected to join the Queen at Sandringham on Christmas Day. In the previous year, they have spent it with Kate's family.
