Just picture the scene – Kensington Palace officials and British diplomats excitedly recce the itinerary for the Duke of Cambridge’s historic visit as his Middle East hosts are plunged into crisis.

Riots erupted across Jordan protesting a new tax regime and reduced food and fuel subsidies. Crowds attacked police stations and rampaged through normally peaceful towns. King Abdullah sacrificed his Prime Minister and reviewed the IMF inspired economic package intended to stabilise Jordan’s swelling debts, exacerbated by an influx of more than a million refugees from neighbouring Syria.

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