Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived in Islamabad, Pakistan last night amidst tight security. The royal couple’s first tour to Pakistan is dubbed as the ‘most complex’ tour by Kensington Palace. Prince William and Kate Middleton will be in Pakistan till Friday, October 18.
The visit comes at a time when there are heightened tensions between India and Pakistan especially after abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Following the abrogation of Article 370, there were reports that the royal couple may call off their visit to Pakistan. Pakistan government has said that the visit of Prince William and Kate Middleton will be used by the country to highlight its current stance on the dispute over Kashmir.
As per reports, the details of the royal couple’s engagements will be released each day owing to high security concerns. The last time a member of the royal family visited Pakistan was in 2006 when Prince Charles visited the country with his wife Camila, Duchess of Cornwall. Queen Elizabeth II had visited Pakistan in 1961 and in 1997. Late Princess Diana had also visited Pakistan back in 1997.
Britain has one of the largest overseas Pakistani population. Over 1.4 million people of Pakistani origin reside in the UK including London mayor, Sadiq Khan.
The duchess was wearing a white and turquoise ombre salwar-kameez type dress custom made by designer Catherine Walker, which many royal observers see as a respectful nod to traditions of the Islamic country. Kate’s dress also reminded people of the turquoise dress Princess Diana wore when she visited Pakistan in 1996.
The royal couple are expected to visit Islamabad, Lahore and mountainous side towards the north in Pakistan. They have not brought their children to this visit to Pakistan.