The Prince is coming.
President Barack Obama will welcome Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, to the Oval Office Monday.
“We'll have a little royalty now with us on Monday,” White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest quipped when announcing the visit.
The Duke of Cambridge, who is visiting New York with his wife, will be in Washington to speak at the World Bank about efforts to fight illegal wildlife trafficking. (The Duchess will not be traveling to Washington.)
“The president welcomes the Prince’s work in this global fight against what is both a national security threat and a devastating environmental problem,” according to a statement by the White House.
In February, the administration announced a national strategy for combating wildlife trafficking that calls on the entire U.S. government to combat the threat.
“I think there’s a lot of enthusiasm for the prince’s visit,” Earnest said. “We certainly are looking forward to toasting him here in Washington and at the White House for the first time.”
Obama has visited with the prince before, including on a state visit to London and at the 70th anniversary of D-Day.
“The president has enjoyed those previous conversations and is really looking forward to Monday's conversation as well,” Earnest said.
Vice President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, will participate in a separate meeting Monday at the White House.