Prince William reveals to litter pickers on Kuwaiti nature reserve his hatred of plastic bottles he calls 'the enemy'

  • Video report by ITV News Royal Editor Chris Ship, in Kuwait

The Duke of Cambridge vividly described his revulsion of plastic bottles as he learned about the scourge of plastic pollution in Kuwait.

Joining litter pickers working on a beach at the start of his latest royal tour, Prince William was heard telling them he calls the bottles "the enemy".

William walked the shore of Persian Gulf mudflats following a trail of plastic bottles, discarded packaging and carrier bags washed up in Jahra Nature Reserve near Kuwait City.

Prince William takes a look at an object found on the beach. Credit: PA

He told other litter pickers: "We’ve made sure we are travelling here we only take our metal bottles with us. Lots of metal bottles.

"I hate plastic bottles now and I look at them and I literally think it’s the enemy – you see a plastic bottle and I’m like “eugh!” Horrible isn’t it?"

The Duke stopped to chat with representatives from Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), environmental volunteers and members of other groups who are following the global movement and tackling the issue.

The duke joined special teams of litter pickers on the beach Credit: PA

Dr Abdullah Alzaidan, director general of technical affairs for the Environment Public Authority, which manages the reserve, said the site was important nationally and globally as a haven and refuelling stopover for hundreds of species of migratory birds and others that make it their permanent home.

The environment is an issue close to the Duke of Cambridge's heart. Credit: PA

William toured the reserve by golf buggy, and before he met the litter pickers he was taken to a bird hide where he tried to glimpse lesser flamingoes and greater spotted eagles.

William looks through a telescope while at the nature reserve. Credit: PA

Dr Alzaidan added: “We have four ecosystems here – salt marsh, freshwater, marine and coastal systems. We are trying to raise awareness about what we have.

Prince William was given a tour of the nature reserve. Credit: PA

“The young people here are taking responsibility for combating the pollution, 10 to 15 years ago we would have had a couple of volunteer teams – now there are tens of groups.”

After his visit to the nature reserve, William met the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, at the Bayan Palace for lunch.

He then visited the Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre to learn how the newly established museum seeks to educate and engage young Kuwaitis in innovative ways across a range of areas, from space exploration and robotics to natural history and human biology.

Prince William also met the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, during his visit. Credit: PA

Later on Monday he will attend an event hosted by Sheikh Mohamed Abdullah in the desert.

There the Duke will meet a number of young Kuwaitis including university students, young leaders and entrepreneurs.