This Royal visit to the far flung Kingdom of Bhutan was at the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s request and the thrill and excitement of coming to this magical place was obvious to see. The couple chartered a plane to get here sitting up the front of the plane with their aides while the media entourage filled the other seats.
Flying over the Himalayas the couple headed into the cockpit for a pilot’s eye view of the landing in the tiny Paro airport, which boasts one of the most spectacular airport settings in the world. Kate had changed her outfit on the flight and came down the airplane steps in a classically styled Emilia Wickstead yellow coat dress. She was met by Princess Chimi Yangzom Wangchuck, the elder sister of the King of Bhutan, and two Paro children – Sonam, 9, and Ugyen, 7 – bearing bouquets of flowers who had been chosen from a long list of eager hopefuls by the local magistrate.
For a traditional Bhutanese welcome ceremony, the red carpet is a work of art and this one certainly didn’t disappoint. At daybreak the carpet had been laid and monks set about creating symbols and images in coloured rice along its length.
Traditionally everyone but the guest of honour avoids walking on the carpet, leaving the rice designs to be scattered by the footfalls of the visitors. As Prince William and Catherine greeted the welcome line of local dignitaries they couldn’t help but gaze up at the sheer beauty of this Kingdom and their journey down the carpet was flanked by traditional coloured flags flapping in the wind. It was the start of a breathtakingly colourful day.
Photographs of the King and Queen of Bhutan – known as the Will and Kate of the Orient – are everywhere here on huge billboards, on shops and businesses and even on the badges given to us media in our welcome pack. They are not just huge pin-ups – both are overwhelmingly blessed in the looks department – but revered.
Under this King democracy was brought to Bhutan in 2008 and when his young wife gave birth to a boy on February 6 this year the country was euphoric. Both are smart and internationally educated but fiercely proud of the simple, time-honoured way of life in Bhutan. And in keeping with their culture and traditions the couple decided to greet the British royals with a Chipdrel Procession at Tashichhodzong , a glorious fortress in Bhutan’s capital Thimpu which among other things houses the Golden Throne Room.
The ensuing ceremony left even the most cynical Royal reporters speechless. Monks, dancers, musicians,flag bearers and warriors, received the Duke and Duchess with an incredible display of colour and Bhutanese pomp. It was like a slice of Medieval pageantry.
Kate paid her respects to this extraordinary nation wearing a long skirt made from a purple traditional fabric woven by well-known Thimpu local Mrs Kelzang Wangmo, and sewn in London to complement the style of the “kira” worn by the locals. She teamed this with an elegant cream cape top made by French fashion house Paul & Joe.
The Duke and Duchess followed the procession to meet King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck. As the two handsome young couples walked together through the inner courtyard in front of a huge Buddhist tapestry to climb stairs flanked by monks in deep red robes the message was clear – here stands the future of two monarchies and both are in safe hands!
After lunch in the King and Queen’s home,the Lingkana Palace, known locally as “the Royal cottage”, a relatively modest dwelling, the Duke and Duchess headed off for an afternoon of the national sport – archery hosted by the King’s brother.
This is archery as we’ve never seen it in the West and it feels like it’s straight out of Henry VIII’s time – or perhaps a scene from The Hunger Games.
The archers shoot arrows 145 metres aiming at a tiny target I could barely see with my glasses on. Their skill is astonishing. Of course Kate and William had to have a go though they were humoured, being allowed to shoot from much closer.
William was first and after a brief lesson took aim. His arrow shot beyond the target and nearly landed on the bridge beyond. “I hope I haven’t hit a driver,” he joked.
Next Kate took aim and her first attempt landed dangerously close to the crowd. sHe dissolved into fits of giggles. The sporty pair were loving it.
Watching on was a crowd of schoolchildren, locals and officials. As they headed for the next game, more long distance darts than archery, Kate pleaded with her husband. “Is it easier?” Their attempts fell short of the target but were a little more respectable.
By now the rain was coming down but still the couple took time to greet the local children before departing.
In the evening the two two Royal couples dined privately together and Kate and William prepared for day two, a six hour round trip trek into the mountains.
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