The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have been greeted by British diplomats as their tour of Jordan began.

Charles and Camilla arrived in the capital Amman in Voyager, the ministerial jet, and waiting on the runway was the UK’s ambassador to the country Bridget Brind.

Among her group was Stephanie Al-Qaq, the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office’s director for the Middle East and North Africa, and Defence Attache Brigadier Jamie Piggott.

The couple left the UK on Sunday, Charles’ birthday, after attending the national remembrance service at the Cenotaph and have been spending private time in Jordan.

A guard of honour lined the red carpet at Queen Alia International Airport and waiting nearby was a fleet of limousines for the royal entourage.

Charles and Camilla have been asked by the Government to visit the Middle East country and will also tour Egypt over the next four days.

The overseas visit comes after an eventful period for the royal family, with senior members of the monarchy taking part in the recent Cop26 UN climate change conference and concerns being raised about the Queen’s health after she suffered a back injury.

Chris Fitzgerald, deputy private secretary to the prince, has said climate change would be one of the main themes of the visit, and other issues would include inter-faith dialogue, female empowerment and efforts to preserve cultural heritage.

Mr Fitzgerald said: “The first royal tour in almost two years will come at a significant moment in the UK’s relationship with both countries.

“Their royal highnesses will first travel to Jordan, where they will celebrate both Jordan’s own centenary and 100 years of the UK-Jordan bilateral relationship.

“Their royal highnesses’ visit to Egypt comes as the UK holds the Cop presidency and Egypt has been nominated to assume the Cop27 presidency in 2022.

“In this decisive decade for climate action, the next 12 months is therefore expected to see a significant co-operation between the UK and Egypt. Indeed, both visits will have a major focus on addressing the climate crisis.”