Thursday, February 13

Prince William and Kate Middleton honour Princess Diana in Pakistan


 

 

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on Tuesday praised Princess Diana on their Pakistan tour with Wills telling schoolkids he’s a “big fan”.

He and wife Kate, who wore two traditional outfits on day two of their trip, were told the children idolised the Princess of Wales.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for an event in Pakistan’s capital Islamabad in a specially-painted tuk tukCredit: Getty Contributor

Wills was also told by a schoolgirl that she was a big fan of Princess Diana to which he touchingly replied ‘I was a big fan of my mother too’.

Princess Diana was also pictured with ex-cricketer Imran Khan, his then-wife Jemima Goldsmith, and their young son in 1997Credit: PA:Press Association

Prince William and Kate Middleton visit Pakistan mountain area where glacial flood water destroyed homes in 2015

Wills, 37, replied: “Really? Oh that’s very sweet of you. I was a big fan of my mother too.

“She came here three times. I was very small. This is my first time and it is very nice to be here and meet you all.”

The Cambridges, who as well as honouring Diana want to “carve their own legacy”, were at the Islamabad Model College for Girls in Pakistan’s capital.

Kate, 37, wore a royal blue shalwar kameez — similar to the outfit Diana wore during her trip to the country in 1997.

In a further echo of Diana’s visit two decades ago, Wills and Kate were later seen alongside Prime Minister Imran Khan.

KHAN DO ATTITUDE

At an official lunch on Tuesday, Wills recalled how he then 14 and his mother laughed when ex-cricketer Khan told them of his political ambitions in 1996.

Mr Khan, who became Pakistan’s PM in 2018, suggested it had been as much of a slog as his cricketing career.

He said: “I went to see a Test match my cousin was playing and he scored a century and I told my mother I wanted to be a Test cricketer.

“I never realised how difficult it was to eventually become one. Similarly, when I told you that I wanted to succeed [as a politician] I didn’t realise it would take me 22 years.”

William replied: “Sure. It’s not so easy.” And Kate added: “You stuck with it.”
On Tuesday night, the royals arrived for an event at Pakistan’s national monument in a specially-painted tuk tuk.

William, in a traditional dark green sherwani, gave a speech praising the relationship between their host country and Britain.

He said: “The challenges ahead are great, but we cannot be daunted, nor distracted.

“Instead we should draw strength from our shared bonds and heed the words of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. ‘My message to you all,’ he said, ‘is of hope, courage, and confidence’.”

The Duke started by speaking Urdu, saying he and Kate were “honoured” by their hospitality.

Reflecting on the growth since Pakistan’s independence in 1947, he spoke of visits by The Queen to Islamabad 50 years ago.

He added: “And with successive visits by my mother and my father, this view has continued to change, with the city constantly growing and with it my family’s affection for Pakistan.”

Kate has given a nod to Princess Diana with her fashion choices during the Cambridges’ visit to PakistanCredit: Reuters

Kate Middleton, in a Jenny Packham gown, and Prince William, in a traditional sherwani, both dress in emerald – the official colour of PakistanCredit: Getty – Contributor

The Duchess of Cambridge at the Presidential Palace in white trousers by Pakistani designer Maheen Khan, an emerald green tunic by Catherine Walker, a navy patterned scarf by Satrangi, another local designer, and earrings by the country’s firm ZeenCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

Emerald Kate is a real gem

KATE has only been in Pakistan for two days but has already stepped out in a series of stylish looks.

At lunch with PM Imran Khan, she wore an emerald green tunic by Catherine Walker one of her UK favourites  but teamed it with pieces by local designers and brands.

These items included trousers by Maheen Khan, a scarf by Satrangi, and earrings by Zeen.

During a visit to a school in Islamabad, Kate wore a traditional shalwar kameez.

The thrifty royal teamed the rich blue design by Maheen Khan with a pair of £23.99 nude suedette heels from New Look. She then changed out of the heels, and into a pair of nude £185 Russell & Bromley flats.

For a grand reception on Tuesday night, both Kate and husband William dressed in emerald the national colour of Pakistan.

Kate dazzled in a glittering sequin gown by one of her favourite British designers, Jenny Packham.

She teamed the dress with earrings by luxury local label Onitaa.

Prince William wore a dark green sherwani a long coat by Pakistani designer Naushemian.

More than two decades earlier, Princess Diana maintained her impeccable style while remaining modest during her visit to Pakistan something the Duchess of Cambridge has mastered too.

While Diana also wore an embellished dress during her trip, Kate went one step further and made a statement with this showstopper of a design.