Britain’s Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will arrive in Islamabad today (October 14) on a five day visit, which aims to further improve ties between the two countries. The Royal couple, according to British High Commissioner in Pakistan Thomas Drew, will visit the "breadth and depth" of Pakistan and as did their predecessors William's grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II; his mother Princess Diana; and father Prince Charles the couple hopes to meet as many Pakistanis as possible during the visit. "I have always been struck by the warmth in Pakistan towards the royal family, and the fond memories of previous visits," said Drew ahead of the couple's arrival. Here, Dawn.com takes a look back at the past visits to Pakistan by British royalty.
1961: The Queen's first visit to erstwhile dominion
Queen Elizabeth, 34 at the time, undertook a royal tour of the far eastern countries in 1961, which included visits to Pakistan, India, Iran and Nepal. Her state visit to Pakistan, which since 1956 had become a republic, lasted from February 1-16, during which she was accompanied by her husband, Duke of Edinburgh Prince Philip, and visited Karachi, Peshawar, Quetta, Lahore and the northern areas of the country.
Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton met Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday. The couple who are the first royals to officially visit Pakistan since Prince Charles and his wife Camilla visited the region in 2006 were received by the premier at the Prime Minister House, where a lunch was hosted in honour of the guests. William's late mother, Diana, was a friend of the prime minister and visited Pakistan twice 1996 and 1997 to help raise awareness and funds for the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital.
The president commended the visiting dignitaries for their endeavors to raise awareness about mental health, climate change, and poverty alleviation, said a press release by the president's secretariat. The Duke of Cambridge thanked the president for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to him and his entourage. The royal couple appreciated the initiatives undertaken by Pakistan's government to combat climate change and to alleviate poverty, added the statement.
"William and I really wanted to come and see an SOS Children's Village like this," Kate said of the orphanage. "There's so many vulnerable women here but they've really used their positivity and the support that the Village here provides them to support and protect the next generation of children in their care and give them the best possible start to their future lives." Royal visit The duke and duchess arrived in Islamabad for their maiden visit to Pakistan on Monday night. Their second day was a busy one, which started with a visit to a girl's college in the capital and then Margalla Hills, where they attended an event regarding environmental protection.
The couple was hosted by President Arif Alvi and Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Aiwan-i-Sadr and Prime Minister House, respectively. In the evening, they attended a star studded reception, hosted by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew, at the National Monument where William, in his first official address, paid tribute to all the people who "endured sacrifice and helped build Pakistan to the country it is today". On the third day of their trip, the royals paid a visit to Chitral district to observe the effect of climate change in the region. During the visit, the couple flew to the Baroghil Valley National Park in the extreme north and the Bumburate Valley in the south where they mingled with the Kalasha community.
British Royal couple, Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton, departed from Islamabad to homeland after completing their five day visit to Pakistan this afternoon. The royal couple while standing on the stairs of their airplane said goodbye and thank you in Urdu. They were seen off by British High Commissioner Thomas Drew and other officials. Kiani/Zahid/Abid
During their movements in the city, VVIP route will be put in place to ensure smooth flow of their cavalcade and ensure security. The members of the British royal family will also be provided box security. Arrangements were also made for their stay in the heavily guarded Diplomatic Enclave, said the officials. More contingents of police and paramilitary troops were deployed in and around the enclave.
