Duke of Cambridge returns to work after his summer break

The Duke of Cambridge has returned to work following a few weeks summer holiday.

And like brother Prince Harry, Prince William has also started with a cause close to his heart - working to end wildlife poaching and trafficking.

The 36-year-old met with employees from The Royal Mail's Worldwide International Logistics Centre at Heathrow Airport and heard about their efforts to disrupt illegal wildlife trade.

Once inside, Wills donned a high viz vest as he heard about the number of items seized in the past year, including butterflies, crocodile leather items and ivory necklaces.

The second-in-line to the throne looked disgusted as he inspected the intercepted items.

In fact, there were 139 ivory items seized in 2017 by UK Border Force through the Royal Mail centre, all in a concerted effort as part of Prince William's United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce.

The Buckingham Palace Declaration was championed by the Duke of Cambridge in 2016 and now has over 100 members, all working together to close down criminal supply routes and "end wildlife crime".

Prince William was also presented with a framed commemorative set of UK stamps, created to highlight the work of the taskforce.

The father-of-three gingerly left the centre a few hours later, waving to waiting crowds, as he finished up his first official engagement after the break.

William and Kate are understood to have enjoyed a brief family holiday on the private Caribbean island of Mustique.

The Duchess of Cambridge is believed to return to work later this month, following maternity leave after the birth of Prince Louis in April.