The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, had a comprehensive tour of the Lahore city on Thursday, on the fourth day of their tour to Pakistan.
The Cambridges were given a warm reception at the Lahore Airport. Governor Punjab Chaudhary Sarwar and Chief Minister Usman Buzdar reached to receive the couple at the airport. The guests were presented with souvenirs by Buzdar and Sarwar after an official meeting.
Today The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit the bustling city of Lahore, known widely across Pakistan as the country's city of culture!@UKinPakistan #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/c9xqrOiQUw
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2019
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived on a day-long visit to Lahore today.
Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar, Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar and other high dignitaries warmly welcome them at Lahore Airport. #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/3qT0wbZmKz— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) October 17, 2019
On a day-long trip to Lahore city, following the footsteps of Princess Diana, the royal couple visited the Badshahi mosque. On their visit to the mosque, Kate Middleton, radiating elegance, donned her green neckline embroidered Shalwar-Kameez. The Duchess, respecting the Islamic traditions, covered her head with a dupatta. Her humble expression caught the hearts of the people of Pakistanis once again on social media.
Read more: Kate Middleton looked ‘Almost’ Pakistani in Shalwar Qameez
The couple was given a tour to the mosque, they met the religious leaders, listened to the recitation of Quranic verses, and discussed inter-faith harmony.
Prince William and Kate Middleton listen to tilawat from the Holy Quran inside Lahore's Badshahi Mosque pic.twitter.com/iAH6Fh5drQ
— omar r quraishi (@omar_quraishi) October 17, 2019
The Duke and Duchess toured the mosque and courtyard, before joining a discussion with faith leaders to learn how they are promoting interfaith harmony within their communities. #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/nzDQqtLoLq
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were then given a tour of the historic Badshahi Mosque in Lahore. TRH met with the religious faith leaders to discuss peace and harmony amongst all faiths.#RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/FLqQj3fe9s
— UK in Pakistan 🇬🇧🇵🇰 (@ukinpakistan) October 17, 2019
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met Wafia, aged seven, at the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital @SKMCH, as they spent time with patients undergoing treatment and spoke with their families. #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/AMp7cwnOhm
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2019
Later in the day, the couple visited Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital. Princess Diana had worked closely for the construction of the charity cancer hospital and had made several visits to Pakistan in this realm.
The royal couple on their visit to the hospital met with the children suffering from cancer. They were welcomed by the hospital’s CEO Dr. Faisal Sultan and other senior officials. On their visit to the hospital, they were shown department hosting the hospital’s radiation machine.
Read more: Royal Visit to Pakistan: William & Kate Sported Traditional Chitrali Caps
Earlier in the day, the royal couple reached the Lahore’s National Cricket Academy. On her visit, Kate Middleton wore a simple chickenkari Kurta from a Pakistani fashion brand ‘Gul Ahmed’.
No trip to Pakistan could be complete without a visit to @TheRealPCB where TRH took time out to play a friendly cricket match with the children of @pkbritish Dosti Programme. #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/VeUxbi88BM
— UK in Pakistan 🇬🇧🇵🇰 (@ukinpakistan) October 17, 2019
The couple met with Sana Mir, Shaheen Afridi, and Azhar Ali. The couple also cherished playing cricket with the children and senior players at the cricketing academy. After the game, the couple received some gifts — including a cricket bat for their children.
At the National Cricket Academy in Lahore @TheRealPCB, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined a match with children participating in the @BritishCouncil’s DOSTI programme. #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/bOvF5osDtc
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2019
The couple also visited the SOS Children’s Village, where they took part in a storytelling session and interacted with the staff and children. Prince William and Kate Middleton also attended a birthday party for the three children at SOS village. The duchess spoke briefly at the event and wished the children ‘happy birthday’ in Urdu.
📖 Storytime at @SOSChildrenPK #RoyalVisitPakistan pic.twitter.com/fumQDXkmP5
— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2019
In the evening, The Royal Air Force plane carrying the royal couple was forced to abort the landing in Islamabad twice and return to Lahore after being caught in a severe thunderstorm.