VIDEO: Prince William, Kate enjoy Pakistani rickshaw ride
- 15 Oct 2019
Pakistan’s art is world famous and to honour that speciality, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in a traditionally decorated rickshaw, for a reception at the Pakistan Monument.
The young royal couple from England has shown a traditionally rich image of Pakistan to the whole world. Pakistan will now be known for its hospitality, cultural diversity, peace, art and love for foreigner guests in the world, according to the authorities.
Some rickshaw drivers in Lahore and Rawalpindi, a garrison city next to Islamabad, painted their vehicles with the Pakistani and British flags.
Prince William and Catherine arrive to attend a reception in a rickshaw in Islamabad on Tuesday. Peter Nicholls / Reuters
Earlier during the day Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate met Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan, a former international cricket star who the prince played cricket with in London as a child.
Prince William Kate reach Islamabad on five day visit
The royal couple, on a five-day visit, also toured a school and a national park in the capital Islamabad where they chatted with children and admired their drawings.
Britain's Prince William attends a meeting with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad. Reuters
The trip, which focuses on climate change and access to education, has been described by palace officials as the most complex the couple have undertaken due to security issues.
On Tuesday afternoon, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Khan at his official residence. William's mother Princess Diana, a hugely popular figure in Pakistan, visited Pakistan several times in the 1990s and helped Khan raise money for a cancer hospital.
Earlier William and Kate met students at an Islamabad Model College for Girls, discussing education with a group of older students and visiting the classrooms of younger students.
As they left, a group of girls sang one of Pakistan's national songs and the couple greeted preschoolers who had lined up to chant 'bye bye'.
William and Catherine attend a meeting with President of Pakistan, Arif Alvi in Islamabad. Reuters
They then visited the Margallah Hills National Park on the edge of Islamabad, which is under threat from poaching, wildfires, invasive species and littering.
For the morning events, Kate wore a periwinkle blue silk shalwar kameez, the national outfit of Pakistan consisting of a loose tunic worn over trousers. Many on social media and in the fashion industry had been hoping she would don the outfit, which Princess Diana had worn during visits.
The designer, Maheen Khan said on Twitter: "It is an honour to have been asked to create this outfit for the Duchess."
The Duchess of Cambridge's fashion choices, including a bright green tunic over white pants to meet with the Prime Minister, appeared to echo many of the colours and outfits worn by Diana.
Foreign policy experts and officials have said the trip, the first by a British royal family member in more than a decade and made at the request of the British foreign office, represented a soft power push, which may help both sides further their diplomatic aims.
It comes as Britain seeks to reinvigorate its foreign relationships as the deadline looms for its departure from the European Union, while Pakistan works to repair its global image to boost tourism and investment.
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, smiles at a school on a visit to Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, who are strong advocates of girls’ education, were greeted by teachers and children on their arrival at the Model College for Girls on Tuesday.
Wearing a royal blue traditional kurta and trouser, Kate sat with children in a classroom, as Prince William shook hands with a teacher.
Britain's Catherine sat with children in a classroom.
The royal couple arrived in Islamabad on Monday night. They are to meet with Prime Minister Imran Khan later in the day.
Britian's Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visit a school during a trip to Islamabad, Pakistan on Tuesday.
William’s mother, Princess Diana, visited Pakistan in the 1990s to participate in a fund-raising event for a cancer hospital built by Khan, who took office last year.
Associated Press
