Dubai: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and his wife Kate continued to amaze people during their visit to Pakistan.
Britain’s Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wore traditional Chitrali outfits as they arrived in the former princely state Chitral which is considered one of the most scenic places in the world at an elevation of 1,494 metres above the sea level.
While Prince William wore the Chitrali hat and a coat, Kate wore the hat and a shawl which was also worn by Prince William’s mother the late Princes Diana during her visit to the scenic valley in 1991.
The British Royal couple was surprised when they received the photo album and a book of Princess Diana’s visit to Chitral.
They arrived in Chitral on Wednesday is part of their visit to explore Pakistan and meet the people of the country.
“Fantastic,” the prince remarked as he sifted through the pages of the book. The residents also gifted an embroidered coat to Prince William and a shawl to Kate. The couple arrived in Pakistan on October 14 on a five-day visit. On the third day of their visit, the duke and duchess are visiting the foothills of the Hindu Kush mountain range to witness the devastating effects of climate change, which is one of the key areas of focus of their visit. During their time in Chitral, they will visit a site affected by a devastating flood in 2015.
“They are visiting Chitral to “see the impact of flash flooding on local villages” in the valley, Royal Correspondent for The Sun Emily Andrews said on Twitter.
The entire region that now forms the Chitral District was once an independent monarchical state until 1895, when the British negotiated a treaty with its hereditary ruler, the Mehtar, under which Chitral became a semi-autonomous princely state within the Indian Empire. Chitral retained this status even after its accession to Pakistan in 1947, finally being made an administrative district of Pakistan in 1969, disestablishing the Princely state.
The terrain of Chitral is very mountainous and Tirich Mir the highest peak of the Hindu Kush, rises in the north of the district. Around 4.8 per cent of the land is covered by forest and 76 per cent is mountains and glaciers.
The Royal couple will also visit Broghil and Bombaret village and are also expected to stop by a settlement of the Kalash people to “learn about their community, heritage and traditions.
On Tuesday evening, they attended a glitzy reception, hosted by British High Commissioner to Pakistan Thomas Drew, at the National Monument of Pakistan in Islamaabad 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”.
Also on Tuesday, the couple called on Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan and President Arif Alvi.
