Prince William and Kate in Pakistan - in pictures
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge begin five-day visit
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Pakistan for a five-day visit aimed at strengthening ties between Britain and the South Asian country.
The royal couple arrived last night at the Nur Khan airbase, near capital Islamabad, where they were greeted by Foreign Minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, says The Telegraph.
Details of the visit have been kept secret owing to security concerns, and more than 1,000 Pakistani police officers have been deployed to keep Prince William and Kate safe as they travel around the Commonwealth country.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Kensington Palace said security issues and political uncertainty meant that the tour was the couple’s “most complex” to date.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For a round-up of the most important stories from around the world - and a concise, refreshing and balanced take on the week’s news agenda - try The Week magazine. Get your first six issues free–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
In his first official engagement in Pakistan, the Prince met pupils at a government-run college in Islamabad and spoke about the importance of young people learning about mental health, reports the BBC.
One girl told the Royal that she and her classmates were “big fans of your mother”, to which he replied: “You were, really? Oh, that’s very sweet of you. I was a big fan of my mother too.”
The Duke and Duchess later met Prime Minister Imran Khan for lunch, during which they discussed the Pakistani leader’s former sporting career.
“William recalled how everyone laughed at a gathering in Richmond-upon-Thames in 1996 when the former Sussex and Worcestershire cricketer announced his political ambition to the then teenage Prince William and Diana,” according to the Daily Mail.
The Duke and Duchess will go on to visit Lahore in eastern Pakistan, as well as the north and west of the country.
They are the first British royals to officially visit the country since the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall toured the region in 2006.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published