The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have kicked off their week-long tour of India and Bhutan.
With their flight touching down at Mumbai airport on April 10 at around 11am local time, the duo were jumped right into their jam-packed schedule.
Catherine and William began their tour by paying tribute to those who died in the 2008 terror attacks, and laid a wreath of white flowers at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel’s memorial.
Swinging into the next activity, the couple met with one of the world’s best cricketers, Sachin Tendulkar, in South Mumbai.
It was there Catherine showed off her sporty prowess as she faced off the Indian sporting legend – in wedges no less.
The duo capped off their first day at a glitzy Bollywood charity gala. The British royals rubbed shoulders with Bollywood’s royalty including Slum Dog Millionaire star, Anil Kapoor and international beauty Aishwarya Rai.
“It has been a wonderful and colourful evening, and a real treat to be welcomed to India in this way,” Prince William told the 200 guests.
“When Catherine and I were married, India was the first place on Catherine’s list that she told me that she wanted to visit,” the 33-year-old added.
“Two children and five years later, we have finally made it and we are both honoured to be here.”
**Click through to relive the colourful moments from the Duke and Duchess’ royal tour of India and Bhutan*
A loved up Prince William and Duchess Catherine revisited Princess Diana’s steps, sitting in the exact same place she did some 24 years ago at the Taj Mahal in Agra, India.
When The Princess of Wales sat here in 1992, she cut a lonely and sombre figure. Nine months later, she announced her separation from Prince Charles. They officially divorced in August, 1996.
“It’s a beautiful place, stunning designs in there,” the father-of-two marvelled. “It’s been really incredible to learn about the romance of the building and really beautiful architecture,” Catherine added.
Red alert! All eyes were on the Duchess as she stepped out in this incredible dress by one of her favourite designers, Beulah. The dreamy ensemble sported Bhutan’s national flower, the poppy, and costs around $AUD1369 (£745).
Following their adventurous day, the royal couple swapped their hiking gear for more formal attire as they headed to a reception to celebrate the UK and Bhutanese friendship. The bash was held at the Taj Hotel on Friday, April 15, in Thimphu, Bhutan.
Earlier that day, the pair worked up a sweat as they enjoyed a three hour hike to a secluded monastery in Bhutan.
Nestled in the breathtaking hills, the tiger’s Nest monastery in Paro Taktsang was described by the pair as “absolutely stunning.”
As always, Catherine looked stylish in a pair of khaki trousers, a matching lace-up vest and knee-high hiking boots.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at Paro International Airport on day 5 of the Royal India and Bhutan tour. Kate wore a recycled coat dress by Emilia Wickstead, which she had previously donned in 2012.
After admiring the stunning fortress, the parents-of-two attended a traditional Chipdrel welcome procession under the sun.
Kate donned an intricate a Paul & Joe top, paired with a skirt made from material sourced and woven in Bhutan by a local weaver named Kelzan Wangmo.
After watching a game of archery, which is Bhutan’s national sport, the royal couple decided to give it their very own shot! Watch how it turned out in the next slide!
The Duke and Duchess try their hand at archery in Bhutan
She shoots, she misses! Kate had a good laugh as her arrow missed the target altogether.
But at least the Duchess still looked like a princess doing it!
Duchess Catherine was all smiles as she sat down for refreshments following her archery debut.
As the sun set on the 5th day of the royal tour, the couple set off for a private dinner with the King of Bhutan. The mother of George, two, and Charlotte, 11-months, kept it colourful and casual in a maxidress by American designer, Tory Burch.
Catherine had the chance to get up and close personal with some baby rhinos.
The couple paid a visit to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, where they were delighted by the sweet animals including the little elephants.
Catherine instantly fell for the majestic creatures.
The adorable couple were also invited to put the finishing touches to a painted elephant model – one of the 300 statues that will be placed around India as part of a fundraising campaign, Elephant Parade India.
Kate can’t contain her giggles as Wills attempts to do a good job.
Cuddles with Catherine.
The 34-year-old is beloved by well-wishers across the globe.
Looking fabulous in this stunning Topshop design.
Wills and Kate were presented with handmade red scarves.
Wearing it with pride…
Say cheese!
The duo enjoyed an open-air jeep ride deep into the Indian safari.
Wills tries his hand at feeding… Much to his wife’s amusement.
Kicking off the third day of the royal tour, Catherine opted for a more casual look, donning a burgundy printed dress with a belt tied around the middle.
The Duke and Duchess visited a contact centre run by the charity Salaam Baalak, which provides emergency help and long term support to homeless children at New Delhi railway station. Watch William and Kate chat to people at the shelter in the player below. Post continues after the video!
The Duke and Duchess then also visited a temporary shelter for boys.
After a quick costume change, Catherine and William then met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Looking exquisite, the 34-year-old turned heads in a this aquamarine-coloured Alice Temperley design worth over $AUD1400 (£800).
Radiant as ever, Catherine traded in her signature curls for a pretty up do.
Prince William and Kate meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi
In her third outfit change of the day, the Duchess was a vision in a green patterned ethnic-style dress by American designer Anna Sui.
The Duke and Duchess have made a swingin’ start to their royal tour of India.
“Two children and five years later, we have finally made it – and we are both honoured to be here.”
She may have left her children, Prince George, 2, and 11-month-old Princess Charlotte, but Catherine showed off what a fun mum she is.
The brunette beauty made a nod to the vibrant nation donning a flowing, printed dress by Mumbai designer Anita Dongre.
The 34-year-old showed locals how a royal plays soccer in pair of sky-high wedges.
Wills and Catherine were delighted to rub shoulders with one of India’s greatest legends, cricketer Sachin Tendulkar, in South Mumbai.
He may be one of the world’s best cricketers but that didn’t stop the beloved royal take Sachin on.
Catherine managed to bat one of Sachin’s bowls…
But the celebrated sportsman still took the Princess out.
Check out those pins! The sporty royal wasn’t going to let her stunning frock get in the way of her competitive side.
Chuckles galore! The giggling royal couldn’t hide her delight as she met children from Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep, three non-governmental organisations, at Mumbai’s iconic recreation ground, the Oval Maidan.
We imagine family BBQs with the Cambridges definitely involves Britain and India’s favourite past time.
That evening Catherine changed gears from sporty to princess perfection as she and her hubby-of-nearly-five-years attended a Bollywood charity gala at the grand Taj Mahal Palace Hotel.
The British royals rubbed shoulders with Bollywood’s royalty including international beauty, Aishwarya Rai. Bollywood Madhuri Dixit spoke about meeting the royals, telling reporters, “We talked about Indian movies and how they’re getting popular everywhere. She said she loves being here and the people are very welcoming this time, but she was worried she may miss her children.”
Kate stunned in a sari-inspired glittering blue gown by Jenny Packham while her prince looked very dashing in a tux. It seems India’s glitterati have fallen for the pretty princess with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan quipping, “Is it ok to say she’s extremely beautiful and elegant? Well she is! If they spend more time here I think they’ll love it. I could definitely show them a good time! I’ll take them out.”
To think the royal pair flew in that morning after a nine hour flight! Looking bright and alert, Wills and Kate kicked off their week stay by heading to the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, where they paid tribute to those who died in the 2008 terror attacks.
Donning the vibrant colours of India through a red paisley-printed dress by Alexander McQueen, Catherine and William reflected on how the city got through the heartbreaking 2008 atrocities.
The couple laid a wreath in respect of the 31 people who were killed in the horrific attack. A message on the wreath read: “In memory of those who lost their lives and those injured in the senseless atrocities at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. William, Catherine.”
During a speech, William revealed how his then-newlywed wife previously told him that India was at the top of her list of places she wanted to visit.
“When Catherine and I were married, India was the first place on Catherine’s list that she told me that she wanted to visit,” the 33-year-old said.
Meeting with locals, the Duke and Duchess saw the more impoverished side of India, with a visit to the Mumbai slums made famous in Slumdog Millionaire.
“It was so much fun saying a big hello to India in Mumbai! That’s a wrap on Day 1 #royalvisitindia,” Kensington Palace tweeted following the couple’s first day.
Catherine chats to local school children.
The mum-of-two tried her hand at the native language, Hindi.
William spoke of his family’s “long and proud connection with India”. “Although our relationship has evolved, my family’s high regard for India – the largest country in the Commonwealth – remains unchanged,” he said.
“No-one can come here without being awed and amazed; no-one can come without a sense of excitement about all that India has achieved in the past and the extraordinary promise it holds for the future,” the dad-of-two reflected.
Taking in the vibrant culture.
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