Prince Harry has already been there but now it's Prince William's turn to check out the White House, when he pays a call on President Obama and Vice President Biden on Monday.
It's a last-minute addition to an already-packed three-day visit to the USA for the Duke of Cambridge and his pregnant wife, Duchess Kate of Cambridge, which gets underway when they arrive in New York on Sunday evening.
The White House and the palace announced Friday that Obama will receive Will during the young royal's half-day trip to Washington, where he will attend a conference at the World Bank to discuss wildlife conservation.
One of Will's top charity passions is the campaign to stop illegal trade in wildlife, a main theme of this charity-dominated visit, which is the first for both Will and Kate in either city. Their only visit to America so far was to Los Angeles in 2011 shortly after their wedding.
In a statement, the White House said the president welcomes Will's work in an issue that is 'both a national security threat and a devastating environmental problem.' The Obama administration has already announced a national strategy to combat wildlife trafficking that mobilizes the entire U.S. government to combat the threat.
Prince William feeds a black rhino Zawadi at wild animal park in Port Lympne, England in June 2012.(Photo: Photo by Chris Jackson/ Getty Images)
While Will is getting face time with POTUS, Kate will remain in New York, as already announced, attending to her own engagements, including a visit to a child development center with the first lady of New York, Chirlane McCray.
Will is due to return to New York in time to attend a match between the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers, where they are expected to meet Jay Z and Beyoncé, who have a part ownership in the Nets, and 'the king' LeBron James of the Cavs.
First lady Michelle Obama introduces a surprise visit from Prince Harry at White House event for military moms in May 2013.(Photo: Photo by Jacquelyn Martin/ AP)
It's a big deal when royals turn up at the White House, especially for the British, who regard these visits with pride and as an important symbol of the United Kingdom's still-strong ties to America.
Obama spokesman Josh Earnest said the visit 'underscores the special relationship' between America and the U.K.
Queen Elizabeth II and Will's father, Prince Charles, have visited multiple times, as did Will's mother, the late Princess Diana, who memorably danced with John Travolta during a visit to President Reagan's White House in 1985.
Now the young royals are turning up. Last year, fourth-in-line Harry (soon to be fifth when Kate's second baby is born in April) paid a surprise visit after he was invited by first lady Michelle Obama to an event for military moms.
December is a good time to see the White House, decked out to a fare-thee-well in Christmas decorations. And maybe the prince will get a chance to meet the cutest occupants of the White House, first pooches Bo and Sunny.
Contributing: David M. Jackson
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Posted by Unknown on Friday, December 5, 2014 - Rating: 4.5
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