Royal tour: Prince William, Kate Middleton kick off Pakistan tour
The Cambridges have arrived in Pakistan in fashionable style as Kate evoked memories of her late mother-in-law, Princess Diana’s trips to the country.
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Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, has upped the style stakes as she stepped off a plane for a historic tour of Pakistan.
The striking royal wore an aqua shalwar kameez designed by the late French-born British Catherine Walker, as she walked off a jet with Prince William.
Kate’s choice of dress was reminiscent of a similar outfit worn by Princess Diana in 1996, during a visit to The Shaukat Khanum Memorial Hospital, Lahore, in Pakistan.
In another nod to her late mother-in-law, the Duchess of Cambridge also sported silver earrings, channelling another styling choice made by Diana.
The couple arrived in Pakistan amid heightened security for their five-day tour of the country.
Off the back of Harry and Meghan’s successful tour of Africa, William and Kate will increase the profile of the younger royals.
Kensington Palace said in a statement: “This is the most complex tour undertaken by The Duke and Duchess to date, given the logistic and security considerations.
“Pakistan hosts one of Britain’s largest overseas networks, with the British High Commission in Islamabad being one of the UK’s largest diplomatic missions in the world.”
There have been reports that more than 1000 police officers will be assigned to protect the royals amid heightened tensions between Pakistan and India.
Details of the trip will only be released on each day of the tour for security reasons.
William and Kate’s tour of Pakistan comes more than 13 years since the last royal visit, seen as one of the most perilous royal foreign tours for some time, when the Prince Charles and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall travelled to the country in 2006.
The tour will take in Islamabad, the city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the north and border regions to the west, reports The Sun.
It’s been stated the Duke and Duchess’s programme will “pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan”.
Their five-day-tour will “largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation.”
Their trip also involves visiting programmes “which empower young people, and organisations that help ensure they have the best possible start in life.
However, the visit comes amid heightened tensions over the disputed region of Kashmir, and ongoing terror fears that means cricket teams refuse to play there.
The couple are expected to meet political and cultural leaders, see how communities in Pakistan are responding to the impacts of climate change, and deepen their understanding of unrest in the region.
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William will be following in the footsteps of both his parents, as Diana, Princess of Wales, made the journey several times through her charity work.
The couple have travelled without their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
stephen.drill@news.co.uk
