Video Loading
Video Unavailable
Today is the first day of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s royal tour of Pakistan.
The royal couple arrived in the country last night and have a busy schedule for the next four days, before flying home on Friday.
William and Kate have visited a school today where they met with children benefiting from the Teach For Pakistan program, a fast-track teacher training scheme modeled on the UK’s successful Teach First.
The Duke spoke poign antly about Diana after being told girls at the Islamabad school were “big fans” – to which he replied “I was a big fan of my mother too”.
Kate opted for a royal blue kurta, a traditional long shift blouse over trousers, for the visit, while William wore a light blue shirt and dark trousers.
Later, the royal couple will head into the Himalayan foothills to visit more youngsters in education.
They will also meet with Pakistan’s President, Arif Alvi, and Prime Minister, Imran Khan , who was educated in the UK.
This evening they are expected to attend a formal event.
Follow below for live updates
Diana’s unique friendship with Imran Khan – and how he helped her find love
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s meeting withImran Khantoday will bring back special memories for Prince William, who used to play in the Prime Minister’s garden when he was a little boy.
Princess Diana was very close friends with Khan’s ex-wife Jemima and her mother Annabel Goldsmith because a mother-life figure to her.
Then a famous cricketer, Khan said told an 11 – year-old William that he would be Pakistan’s Prime Minister one day, but he didn’t believe him.
But today, Kate and William went to his official resident to meet him in his new role, and it was likely a special moment for both men.
Diana and Jemima became very closer when the princess started dating British-Pakistani heart surgeon Dr Hasnat Khan and fell “madly in love”.
Kate chats at Presidential Palace
Kate looked relaxed as she chatted to Prime Minister Imran Khan at the presidential palace .
The Duchess made a quick change into an emerald green tunic and cream trousers for the engagement.
William’s personal Pakistan connections
Prince William also has a personal connection to Islamabad and Imran Khan – after first meeting the then Pakistani cricketer when he was just 11 years old.
Khan told young William he would one day be Prime Minister of his country – now fast forward 26 years and his prediction as come true.
William’s mum Diana was a close friend of Jemima Khan, who at the time was Mr Khan’s wife.
Diana was reportedly even planning on moving to Pakistan at one point.
Royals meeting PM Imran Khan
Kate and William stepped out at the official residence of Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad.
Their engagement mirrors the visit Princess Diana made to the country during her 1991 trip.
KEY EVENT
Kate and William meet PM Imran Khan
The Duke and Duchess have now to their third engagement of the day – a visit to Pakistan’s Prime Minister Imran Khan.
Kate changed from her royal blue kurta to cream trousers by Maheen Khan and an emerald green tunic by Catherine Walker.
Her scarf is by Satrangi and her earrings are by Zeen.
William also changed from a casual shirt and trousers to a more formal look in a blue suit as they prepared to have lunch with the PM.
William speaks poignantly about Diana
After meeting with some of the schoolgirls during the visit to the Islamabad school, William was told the girls were “big fans of your mother”
Reporters said he gave a “broad, slightly wistful , smile ”before replying:“ You were, 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. ”
************************************
KEY EVENT
Some sweet moments
Kate and William were pictured interacting jokingly with the children at the government-run school in Islamabad.
The Duke and Duchess knelt down to chat with the children who seemed excited to be meeting the royal visitors.
Kate meets workers and children at Margalla Hills
Kate and William meet with people working to meet sustainable development goals in the country.
Here, the royals shake hands with workers at the Margalla Hills in the foothills of the Himalayas.
They will also meet with children from schools in the area who are being educated in a sustainable future.
Kate channels Diana’s style on Pakistan visit
Kate has appeared to channel Princess Diana’s style from her own visit in 1997.
In
Arriving in the country yesterday, Kate wore a turquoise bespoke Catherine Walker dress and trousers and today opted for royal blue traditional kurta. , Diana was pictured wearing traditional dress in similar blue hues and even almost identical nude shoes.
Princess Diana in Lahore in May 1991(Image: Daily Mirror)
Kate gifted flowers
Kate was gifted a bunch of roses by well-wishers who met the royal couple at the Margalla Hills.
The region is a hill range which is part of the Himalayan foothills located within the Margalla Hills National Park, north of Islamabad, Pakistan.
Here, Kate and William will learn about Pakistan’s sustainability efforts.
Royals’ forest visit
The royal couple visited forestry in the Margalla Hills, where they will join children from local schools and take part in a number of activities highlighting Pakistan’s work to meet several of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Continuing the theme of education, the couple will later join children from three local schools in the Margalla Hills, which sit in the foothills of the Himalayas.
William and Kate are also due to have lunch with Prime Minister Imran Khan and attend a special reception at the National Monument in their first full day of engagements.
The couple arrived in the Commonwealth country on Monday evening for their official five-day visit.
KEY EVENT
Kate and William move to schools at Himalayan foothills
Kate and William have arrived at their second engageme nt of the day – a visit to three schools in the Margalla Hills – at the foot of the Himalayas.
Today the royal couple are learning about how the Teach For Pakistan program, a fast-track teacher training scheme modeled on the UK’s successful Teach First, is helping youngsters access education in the country.
Kate and William’s sweet group picture
Kate and Middleton posed for a picture with youngsters benefiting from the Teach For Pakistan program, a fast-track teacher training scheme modelled on the UK’s successful Teach First.
Area education officer Mohammed Sohailkhan told reporters that the quality of education – particularly for girls – varies across the country.
“In recent years there has been gradual progress in understanding how important education is for girls and young women,” he said.
“There is a realization of what it can mean in terms of jobs and prospects.
“I can’t paint you an entirely rosy picture. It does still fluctuate wildly, especially in rural regions, where there has traditionally been cultural barriers towards this, notably in terms of sending girls away to college.
“But these barriers are slowly being broken down. ”
Coming up today …
Continuing the theme of education, the couple will later join children from three local schools in the Margalla Hills, which sit in the foothills of
William and Kate are also due to have lunch with Prime Minister Imran Khan and attend a special reception at the National Monument in their first full day of engagements .
The couple arrived in the Commonwealth country on Monday evening for their official five-day visit.
Prince William engages with children and staff at the school
The latest pictures from the Cambridge’s visit to the school shows William chatting with sch o ***girls and staff.
The royal couple are expected to make their way to the Margallah Hills shortly, where they will meet children from three different schools.
The youngsters will apparently be taking part in activities to show Pakistan’s effort to meet environmental goals.
The Duchess of Cambridge dons local outfit as she arrives at school
Kate Middleton is wearing a royal blue kurta, a long collarless shirt, and a scarf designed by Maheen Khan.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are visiting the Islamabad Model College for Girls, where they are expected to promote female education.
The school is reportedly for disadvantaged youngsters studying through the Teach for Pakistan program, which is inspired by the UK’s Teach First sch eme.
KEY EVENT
First pictures of Kate Middleton in Islamabad school
These are some of the first pictures of Kate Middleton at a school in Islamabad, Pakistan.
The images show the Duchess laughing and reaching out to pupils around a classroom table.
Kate is expected to promote womens’ higher education during her and William’s visit to the school.
William and Kate to meet Pakistani leaders
Prince William and Kate Middleton will meet President Arif Alvi for an official engagement
The couple are expected to travel to the Preside ntial Palace for the event, ahead of a meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan at his official residence.
Mr Khan, who studied in England, was a friend of William’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
Royals to hear of how British aid helps Pakistani children during school visit
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will hear about how pupils are benefiting from the Teach for Pakistan program – a training scheme modeled on the UK’s Teach First scheme – during their school visit.
The British High Commission said UK aid in Pakistan has helped more than 5.5 million girls get a quality education since 2011.
Continuing with the theme of edu cation, the duke and duchess will join children from three local schools at the Margalla Hills, which sit in the foothills of the Himalayas.
Duke and Duchess to focus on girls’ education in school visit
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to promote higher education for girls during their visit to an Islamabad school later today.
The royal couple will begin the day by visiting the government -run school, meeting students between the ages of four and 18.
The visit will build on the work of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, who recently spoke out about the importance of female education in Malawi.
The Duchess of Sussex is well-known for being an advocate for women’s rights.
Royal couple to attend formal reception with the top UK diplomat tonight
Kate and William will attend a ‘glittering reception’ organized by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew tonight, reports say.
The bash is being held at the National Monument in Islamabad, according to the Daily Mail’s royal correspondent.
Mr Drew told his Twitter followers that the tour would involve a ‘very exciting program’ and noted the historic ‘warmth of Pakistan towards the royal family’.
Prince William and Kate Middleton to visit school in fi rst stop on royal tour of Pakistan
Prince William and Kate Middleton are expected to visit a local school today , following their arrival in Pakistan last night.
The royal couple flew to the country in an RAF Voyager A 330, landing at the Nur Khan Pakistan Air Force base, in Islamabad, yesterday .
The Duchess was wearing a turquoise bespoke Catherine Walker dress and trousers.
The pair have been sent on the first high-profile royal visit to the country for (years.
) The last senior members o f the Royal Family to visit Pakistan were Prince Charles and Camilla in 2006 when, according to diplomats, the country was less safe than now.
A huge security operation involving 1, 00 0 police officers will be on hand throughout the five-day visit.
William and Kate, both 37, want to highlight the close cultural ties between the two countries as more than 1.5 million people in Britain have Pakistani heritage.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings