Royal couple visits Badshahi Mosque

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge interact with children, play cricket in Lahore

LAHORE: On day four of their five-day visit, the British royal couple Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived in Lahore, where the Duchess is expected to deliver her first address in Pakistan.

Upon arrival, the British royalty were received by Governor Punjab Chaudhry Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

PHOTO: EXPRESS



The royal couple made their first stop at the SOS Children's Village where they toured the place and interacted with the children.

The royal couple observed the facilities and admired paintings made by the children.

Prince William and Kate also celebrated a child's birthday - with gifts and flowers.

Before the celebration, the Duchess gave a speech to the young boys and girls, thanking them for the invitation.

"Earlier this year I talked about the fact that it takes a village to raise a child. The village we have seen here today is the best representation of the idea that I could have possibly imagined," she said.

"You have created a home where children are given love, protection, and suppourt that would help enable them to have a fair chance at life."



 

PHOTO: Reuters

PHOTO: Reuters

PHOTO: Reuters

PHOTO: Reuters

The next stop on their itinerary was the National Cricket Academy where the royal couple was welcomed by Pakistan Cricket Board CEO Wasim Khan and several cricketers including Azhar Ali, Sana Mir, Hassan Ali, Shaheen Afridi and Waqar Younus.

PHOTO: Reuters

The Duke and Duchess were given a tour of the academy - where they saw the 1992 World Cup trophy won by Pakistan, under the captaincy of Prime Minister Imran Khan.

PHOTO: Reuters

PHOTO: Reuters

They also played cricket with Pakistani cricketers and other young children.

 

Pakistan’s national game 🏏 #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/vWVw0UUvR8

— Chris Ship (@chrisshipitv) October 17, 2019

Prince William and Kate pose for a family photo with the officials and children participants of the British Council's DOSTI (friendship) program. PHOTO: Reuters

The Duke and Duchess - following the footsteps of Princess Diana - visited the Mughal-era Badshahi Mosque.

Prince William and Kate walking in Badshahi Mosque. PHOTO: Reuters

They toured the mosque and courtyard and then took part in an interfaith discussion with religious leaders.

PHOTO: Reuters



PHOTO: Reuters

PHOTO: Reuters

Next on their agenda was a visit to Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre - another stop following the footsteps of the Duke's mother.

In a picture posted by Journalist Rebecca English, the British royalties are seen putting a smile on the face of seven-year-old Wafia Rehmani – who is suffering from a kidney tumour. The young girl – while wearing matching tiaras with the Duchess - told the royal couple that she wants to be a doctor.

Seven-year-old Wafia Rehmani wears matching toy tiaras with the Duchess and hosts a toy tea party on her bed! #RoyalsVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/E1hp8ngWzR

— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) October 17, 2019

Later during the day, a dinner reception will be hosted in honour of the royal couple at the Governor House.

Climate change in focus as royal couple visits Chitral

Traffic arrangements have been made ahead of time for the royal couple's visit to the historical city - with 93 inspectors, 297 upper subordinates, 4500 personnel and more than 600 traffic wardens on duty.

On Wednesday, the royal couple visited a melting glacier in the Hindu Kush mountain range, witnessing first-hand the impact of climate change their trip is seeking to highlight.

They flew by helicopter to the northern tip of the Chiatibo glacier, where a climate change expert explained how it was retreating.

Earlier, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had stopped at an airport in Chitral and were given a traditional feathered Pakol hat, similar to one gifted to William’s mother Princess Diana during her visit to the area in 1991.

They also visited a settlement of the Kalash people, a small indigenous group living in the Chitral region where they met with young people and wore colourful local scarves and headwear while being treated to song and dance.

Royal Couple, #DukeandDuchessofCambridge, visits historical Badshahi mosque in #Lahore #RoyalVisitPakistan @ukinpakistan @TomDrewUK @KensingtonRoyal https://t.co/GVYNXdEoXF pic.twitter.com/IxcjZnqYnn

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 17, 2019

The Imam of the Mosque, Maulana Abdul Khabeer Azad briefed Duke and Duchess of Cambridge about the various aspects of the mosque https://t.co/DFukELU88L#Lahore #Pakistan #ukinpakistan #RoyaltourPakistan #RoyalMakesHistory #RoyalVisitPakistan #PakistanLeadingPeace pic.twitter.com/yqQua1B43V

— Radio Pakistan (@RadioPakistan) October 17, 2019