PHOTO: FILE
KARACHI: Prince William and Kate Middleton are on their way to Pakistan for their highly-anticipated Royal visit to the country. The tour, which Kensington Palace announced in June, was requested by the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office and will mark the first official visit here by a member of the British Royal family since Prince Charles and Camilla Parker-Bowles came in 2006.
Royal experts are looking back on previous tours of Pakistan to predict how Will and Kate's visit will go. These include two by the Queen Elizabeth (in 1961 and again in 1997) and one by Princess Diana, who came for a solo trip in 1991.
But the burning question on everyone's mind is, what will Kate be wearing? Will she channel the late Diana with sheer head coverings and traditional attire? Or will she be her usual, Western chic self? Let's recap some of Diana's most memorable looks during her trip to Pakistan.
The floral headscarf
PHOTO: FILEDiana exuded modesty and elegance throughout her trip to Pakistan, one of her most memorable ensembles being a striking green dress with a sheer floral head covering. She had accessorised these with oversized sunglasses at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. We think Kate could don something similar when visiting a mosque - hopefully in green too.
PHOTO: FILEPretty in pink
PHOTO: FILEThe late People's Princess looked stunning in a soft pink beaded Catherine Walker gown, which she wore with pearl earrings to a reception that had been held in her honor. We think this this gorgeous shade is very similar to that of Kate's ethereal Alexander McQueen dress, which she wore in Norway last year. Could she don something like this for a grand reception in Pakistan too?
PHOTO: FILETraditional and on trend
PHOTO: FILEDiana did not hold back from experimenting in gorgeous traditional ensembles, from this purple outfit kurta to the green shalwar kameez. The late Royal showed deep respect for Pakistani culture and was a sight to behold. We are certain Kate will do the same, judging from her outfit choices on previous trips to countries like Malaysia and Bhutan.
PHOTO: FILEPeople magazine recently suggested that local designer Hassan Shaharyar Yasin (HSY) will dress the Duchess of Cambridge during her five-days in Pakistan. In an interview with the publication, Susan Kelley, editor and founder of fashion blog WhatKateWore.com, said, “I think we will probably see at least one traditional shalwar kameez — the top and loose trousers look — from Kate on this trip.”
HSY could dress Kate Middleton during her trip to Pakistan
She added, “Diana wore that look multiple times in Pakistan and I think she has, on occasion, looked to Diana for inspiration, while being careful not to copy her.”
PHOTO: FILEWhite wonder
PHOTO: FILEDiana incorporated the best of both worlds, looking feminine and elegant in an all-white evening ensemble paired with statement jewelry. Kate is also known for her understated elegance so we are keen to see if she will follow in her mother-in-law's footsteps this week.
“I think this is a tour where the impact of her choices has the potential to be very significant,” Kelley explained. “Textile manufacturing is an enormous part of Pakistan’s economy, so if Kate were to wear something manufactured locally, I think there would be a huge impact at a level not previously seen on tour before.”
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