Prince William of Wales and Sayyid Theyazin bin Haitham Al Said, Oman’s Minister of Culture, Sports, and Youth, have officially launched The Jewel of Arabia Expedition. This announcement follows the pair being named patrons of the expedition, as confirmed by the palace.
Prince William, a dedicated advocate for environmental sustainability, attended the launch at the Royal Geographical Society at the invitation of His Highness Sayyid Theyazin, the heir to the Omani throne.
Speaking at Monday’s event, Prince William said: “I’m delighted to be joined by His Highness Theyazin bin Haitham. I’ve just had the opportunity to look through some of the images from the RGS collection, and they bring back wonderful memories of my visit to Oman in 2019.”
The expedition, set to begin on 6 January 2025, will start at Ras al Hadd and trace the coastline to Salalah over the course of 30 days. This journey will involve Omani youth and UK representatives, focusing on exploration, cultural exchange, and raising awareness of environmental issues.
Inspired by the historic journey of British explorer Bertram Thomas, who in 1928 became the first European to cross the Rub’ al Khali desert following ancient Omani trade routes, the initiative seeks to rekindle the spirit of discovery. An accompanying exhibition will showcase archaeological artefacts collected during Thomas’s expedition, highlighting the region’s rich cultural and historical legacy.
The Jewel of Arabia Expedition aims to educate young people in Oman and beyond about the country’s natural heritage and biodiversity while drawing attention to the environmental challenges faced both locally and globally.
