Kate Middleton and Prince William
Prince William and Kate Middleton will visit the US east coast for a number of official engagements Getty

Prince William is expected to meet US President Barack Obama when he and his wife Kate Middleton visit the US next week.

The White House announced that William will see the president in Washington DC on Monday, while Kate, who is nearly five months pregnant, will remain in New York where she will carry out her own duties.

Obama has announced his support for William's campaign against illegal wildlife trafficking, which will be a central theme of his visit.

A White House statement read: "The president welcomes the prince's work in this global fight against what is both a national security threat and a devastating environmental problem.

"This visit underscores the special relationship between the United States and the United Kingdom."

The statement added that Obama is looking forward to thanking William for the hospitality shown to him by the royal family during his recent visits to the UK.

William and Catherine's first official visit to the US east coast is expected to only consist of a few days of engagements.

The couple will arrive in New York in Sunday for a private engagement on behalf of the American Friends of the Royal Foundation.

On Monday, in addition to his meeting with Obama, William will attend an anti-corruption conference at the World Bank.

Meanwhile, Kate will visit a child development centre in Harlem and attend a lunch hosted by the British consul-general to celebrate the achievements of Britons.

On Tuesday, the couple will visit the 9/11 at the World Trade Center, a technology-themed event with entrepreneurs, and a University of St Andrews 600<sup>th anniversary dinner at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

William and Kate are expected to stay at the Carlyle hotel in New York.