British Royal couple Prince William and Catherine Elizabeth Middleton, also known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, arrived in Pakistan today.
The royal couple touched down at the Pakistan Air Force’s Nur Khan Airbase in Rawalpindi, near Islamabad, as Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi, British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew, officials from the Foreign Office, and top government officials cordially received them at the red carpet.
A guard of honour was presented to Prince William and Kate Middleton as they reached Pakistan. The royal couple will visit along with their three children on an official tour, which is expected to repair Pakistan’s international image a great deal.
The trip will be the first of its kind undertaken by any member of the British royal family to Pakistan in 13 years.
The royal couple are slated to meet President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad on Tuesday. They will visit a local women’s college and participate in a charity event the same day.
Catherine, The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Willliam, arrive at Pakistani Air Force Base Nur Khan, Rawalpindi – to start their five-day tour of the country #RoyalVisitPakistan 📷@ianvogler //t.co/rQYu3P0aJf pic.twitter.com/mbA5vTQXGx
— Derek Momodu (@DelMody) October 14, 2019
Prince William and Kate Middleton are set to travel to Lahore on October 16 whereupon they would tour SOS Children’s Village, Aitchison College, Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Badshahi Mosque, Minar-e-Pakistan, and National Cricket Academy.
Back in 2006, Prince William’s father Charles the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla Parker-Bowles had travelled to Pakistan to visit the areas devastated by the October 8, 2005 earthquake.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have just arrived in Pakistan ahead of their five day tour #RoyalVisitPakistan//t.co/MH1iyMDkZn
📸: @ianvogler pic.twitter.com/pJWopziIjP
— Johnny Goldsmith (@MirrorJohnny) October 14, 2019
Other royal visits to Pakistan include two undertaken by Prince William’s grandmother, Queen Elizabeth (in 1961 and 1997) and three by his late mother, Princess Diana (1991, 1996, and 1997).
In 1961, Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by husband Prince Philip — the Duke of Edinburgh — had embarked upon on a seven week tour of India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Iran.
British Royal couple would fly back to UK on 19 October.