Bureau Report
LAHORE: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spent a busy day in Pakistan’s cultural capital, Lahore on Thursday, attending multiple events in the city before departing for their home country at 7 pm in the evening.
Upon their arrival in the city, the couple met with Punjab Governor Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar, before proceeding to a charity function.
The guests were presented souvenirs by Buzdar and Sarwar after the official meeting.
After their meeting with the Punjab chief minister and governor, the royal couple travelled to SOS Children Village where they meet orphaned children. There spent time with the children, read them storybooks and used finger puppets to demonstrate the stories.
A video of the Duchess wishing children a happy birthday in Urdu went viral soon after the visit concluded.
Next, the couple visited the National Cricket Academy, where they were welcomed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and other officials.
Azhar Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sana Mir, Urooj Mumtaz, Ayesha Zafar and Waqar Younis were among the cricketers present on the occasion and assisted the couple in trying their hand at batting.
William and Kate also visited the Mughal-era Badshahi Mosque where Kate was seen in yet another blue outfit, fuelling conversations about the uncanny resemblance of her style to her late mother-in-law Diana all throughout the trip. The royals toured the mosque and courtyard, before joining a discussion with religious leaders on promoting interfaith harmony.
Agencies adds: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Lahore on a one-day visit where they are scheduled to attend a host of events in Pakistan’s cultural capital.
More: Top 15 photos of Kate Middleton from Pakistan tour
Upon their arrival in Lahore, Prince William and Kate Middleton were received by Governor Punjab Chaudhry Mohammad Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar at the airport.
Pak-UK ties and matters of mutual interest were discussed in the meeting that took place at the airport lounge.
The chief minister briefed them about the steps taken by the provincial government in poverty alleviation and the British government support in social sectors.
The visit will help deepen the ties between the two countries, said CM Buzdar.
CM Buzdar gifted a traditional stick made of olive wood and a painting to Prince William and a ‘shawl’ to Kate Middleton.
After their formal meeting with the Punjab chief minister and governor, the royal couple travelled to SOS Children Village where they met orphaned children.
Kate gave her first speech of the tour during the SOS visit where the royal guests also celebrated birthday of three children. To everyone’s surprise, she spoke a few Urdu words as well.
“Aap sab ka shukria, aur aapko salgirah mubarak ho (thank you very much and happy birthday to you), “ she said.
The Duke and Duchess next visited the National Cricket Academy, where they were welcomed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Ehsan Mani, PCB Chief Executive Wasim Khan and other officials.
William and Kate met several international cricketers including Hasan Ali, Azhar Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi, Sana Mir, Urooj Mumtaz, Ayesha Zafar and Waqar Younis.
The also played a game of cricket.
The Duke and Duchess paid a visit to Lahore’s iconic Mughal-era Badshahi Mosque, where they attended an event on religious tolerance.
The last engagement of the royals in the city is a visit to the Shaukat Khanum Hospital founded by Prime Minister Imran Khan and visited by Lady Diana in 1996.
