Queen Elizabeth has been appointing other royal family members to carry out the official engagements that would require her to walk or stand for long periods of time. For instance, she had both Prince Charles and Prince William preside over the opening of Parliament in May 2022, via BBC. Just days later, she asked William to take her place and offer condolences following the death of the President of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan. It was the first time the prince had ever taken on this particular responsibility, according to People.
The queen had already extended her written sympathies to Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the sheikh’s half-brother. However, diplomatic protocol required that a royal family member travel to the United Arab Emirates to pay respects in person. Charles and his wife, Camilla, were already committed to a royal tour of Canada, per Town & Country, so William was the next logical choice.
William was one of a number of dignitaries who made the trip; British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Vice President Kamala Harris also attended. Photographers captured the prince speaking to Sheikh Mohammed, who was appointed the new president of the United Arab Emirates. The sheikh wore a traditional white kandura robe and ghutrah headdress, while William wore a dark suit. Fans expressed their approval of the prince’s representation; one tweeted, “Prince William is a great ambassador for the Queen.”
