Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stun in co-ordinating outfits at Islamabad reception
15 October 2019, 18:11
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge stunned guests at a special reception in Islamabad as they arrived in a colourful rickshaw wearing matching outfits.
William and Kate arrived in style to the event at the Pakistan Monument for an event hosted by Thomas Drew, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan.
They sported co-ordinating emerald outfits at the event on the second day of their Royal tour of the country.
Kate wore a glittering floor-length dress by Jenny Packham, while William wore a traditional sherwani buttoned coat by Karachi-based designer Naushemian.
The event is due to showcase Pakistani music and culture, and the couple will meet individuals from business, the creative arts, and members of government.
A speech by the duke is due to show the UK's support for the Commonwealth country, which he is anticipated to call a "key partner and friend".
"We share unique bonds and so it will always be in our best interests for Pakistan to succeed," the duke is expected to say.
"You can always rely on the UK to keep playing an important role as a key partner and friend."
On their first full day in the capital, the Royal couple met Prime Minister Imran Khan and visited two education programmes, including a government-run school for students aged between four and 18.
The meeting between the duke and Mr Khan saw the pair reminiscing about the ex-Test cricketer speaking of his political ambitions more than 20 years ago.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tuk-tuk a ride to tonight's special #RoyalVisitPakistan reception at the iconic Pakistan National Monument, to celebrate the prosperous UK-Pakistan relationship 🇬🇧🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/aZnBmGCUQZ
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 15, 2019
The Duke told how everyone laughed at a gathering in Richmond-upon-Thames, south-west London, in 1996 when Mr Khan announced his ambition of becoming prime minister to William and his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
The former international cricketer was a friend of Diana, who had taken the young Duke to visit him and his then wife, Jemima Goldsmith.
Diana visited a cancer hospital in Lahore as a guest of Mr Khan and his then wife in May 1997 - just three months before she died.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kate and William met President Arif Alvi, who recalled running along Victoria Road in Karachi to catch a glimpse of the Queen during her 1961 state visit.
"It was miraculous to see her," he told William, who spoke of the Prince of Wales's visit to Pakistan in 2006.
The royal couple's first engagement saw one of the students at the government-run school, 14-year-old Aima, tell the duke that the students were "big fans of your mother".
"Oh, that's very sweet of you," William replied.
"I was a big fan of my mother too. She came here three times. This is my first time and it is very nice to be here and meet you all."
