The Duke of Cambridge was greeted by the Crown Prince of Jordan as he arrived in the country for the start of a historic trip to the Middle East.

William was warmly welcomed by Al Hussein bin Abdullah II, heir to the Kingdom’s throne, when his jet landed in the Jordanian capital Amman.

Also waiting at the bottom of the plane’s steps was Britain’s ambassador to Jordan Edward Oakden who will host the duke when he attends a Queen’s birthday party at the ambassador’s residence later.

William’s five-day tour of the region is his most high profile foreign trip and will also see him visit Israel and the Occupied Palestinian Territories – the first time a member of the monarchy has visited on behalf of the Government.

During his trip the duke will meet Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.

William is said to be very much looking forward to the trip but it comes during a period of tension in the area.

Dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces during recent protests at the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip in the run-up to celebrations marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel.

During his visit to Ramallah in the West Bank, William will not only meet Mr Abbas but later attend events focusing on the “issues facing refugee communities” and providing “opportunities to celebrate Palestinian culture, music and food”, said Kensington Palace.