Jordan's Prince Hussein prepares to celebrate his 21st birthday with Queen Rania

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20-year-old Prince Hussein is heir to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
Photos to mark his 21st birthday on Sunday have been released
The prince used last public outing to challenge religious extremism
Exclusive photos show the royal posing at Jordan's Wadi Rum beauty spot

Published: 05:24 EST, 25 June 2015 | Updated: 07:10 EST, 25 June 2015

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Smiling broadly from his perch atop a rock at the famous Wadi Rum beauty spot, this is Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein as he prepares to celebrate his 21st birthday.

In pictures released exclusively to MailOnline, the 20-year-old royal, whose birthday is this Sunday, is seen dressed casually in jeans and adopting a relaxed pose with his hands in his pockets.

Other images show the football-mad Prince posing with his mother, Jordan's glamorous Queen Rania, and his father King Abdullah who recently celebrated 16 years on the throne.

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Handsome prince: Jordan's Crown Prince Hussein strikes a pose at the Wadi Rum beauty spot

But while Hussein is no stranger to glamour, the young royal has also been building a reputation for his forays into diplomatic life - and recently made headlines after slamming Islamic extremism.

During a meeting of the UN Security Council, the Prince said: 'Extremism is the greatest challenge to world peace and security, and youth are its prime victims.'

His comments echo those made by his mother during a tourism event in Jordan's capital Amman in April, in which she bemoaned her country's 'bad neighbours' and insisted it was safe to visit.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, she made a pitch to British visitors and emphasised the 'unconventional experiences' on offer.

'Here in Jordan, we see tourists as more than visitors - we see them as our guests,' she added. 'People will invite you to share a cup of tea or a meal. You will always get a warm welcome.'

Heir: Hussein, pictured with his mother Queen Rania and father King Abdullah, is heir to the throne of Jordan

Outspoken: Hussein, left and right with King Abdullah, has been outspoken on the subject of extremism

The Jordanian royal dynasty have become increasingly outspoken on the subject of extremism in the months following the murder of pilot Muath al-Kasasbi, 26, in February.

During his appearance at the UN in April, Hussein also urged people to 'remember those in this region and others around the world for whom conflict is a daily reality and peace a distant hope.'

He added: 'The pursuit of peace begins with each one of us stepping out of our comfort zones, understanding how others see the world, speaking out in the face of injustice, and leading by example.'

Queen Rania has gone even further, using an appearance at the World Economic Forum at the Dead Sea resort of Sweimeh to condemn IS and their destruction of the ancient artefacts at Palmyra in the strongest terms.

'It's an attack on civilisation, it is the latest in the atrocities that ISIS and groups like them have committed,' she said.

Family affair: His mother Queen Rania (centre) has also spoken out about the challenges Jordan faces

Queen Rania joins thousands in rally for Jordanian pilot

'Palmyra is one of the greatest treasures in the region and indeed in the world – it shows how we're facing a global threat, not just against Arabs or Muslims, but against the entire civilised world.'

Hussein is the eldest of the four children born to Jordan's 53-year-old King Abdullah and 44-year-old Queen Rania.

The heir apparent since 2004, the Prince has taken on the role of regent on several occasions and has two younger sisters, Princesses Salma and Iman, and a younger brother named Hashem.

Currently studying for a degree in international history at Georgetown University in Washington D.C, the Prince, whose grandmother is British-born Princess Muna, is also setting up a personal charitable foundation.

The Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II Foundation will focus on youth initiatives in Jordan including Haqiq (Achieve), a youth volunteerism program the Prince founded in 2013.