Prince William focuses on conservation during first UAE trip

Britain's Prince William has embarked on his first official visit to the United Arab Emirates

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Britain's Prince William embarked on his first official visit to the United Arab Emirates on Thursday, where the future monarch is highlighting his passionate work around wildlife conservation and climate change.

The visit by Prince William marks a significant milestone in relations between the U.K. and the UAE, a Western-allied Gulf Arab nation ruled by hereditary leaders. The prince is expected to meet with Dubai Crown Prince Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the son of Dubai's ruler Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

Sheikh Mohammed's headline-grabbing divorce settlement and custody battle has played out in British courts over the past year.

Queen Elizabeth II first visited the UAE as monarch in 1979, while Prince Charles' last visit was in 2016.