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Kate Middleton and Prince William tour – Wills makes moving comment about loving Diana after schoolgirl, 14, reveals she’s a superfan and Kate looks glam in traditional outfit
PRINCE William poignantly recalled his love for his mother after meeting with school kids on the first day of his Pakistan tour.
Sitting with Kate in a classroom, Wills was told by a schoolgirl that she was a big fan of Princess Diana — to which he touchingly replied "I was a big fan of my mother too".
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Ahead of a meeting with Pakistan's leader Imran Khan — whom William first met aged 11 because the ex-cricketer was his mother's friend — was visiting the Islamabad Model College for Girls.
The Prince and Kate, in a royal blue shalwar kameez by local designer Maheen Khan, are keen to champion the importance of quality education, and highlight how girls benefit from pursuing higher education and professional careers.
Wills was asked what he had wanted to do when he was younger after Aima, 14, told him that she wanted to be a brain surgeon.
He replied: "Actually I changed a lot as I got older but I always wanted to learn to fly.
"I was flying for a while actually. I love flying, I feel very free [and) I like learning a skill, I enjoy that. I can relate the science of what you do."
The same student also told the Prince that the girls were "big fans of your mother".
I was a big fan of my mother too, she came here three times... I was very small
Prince William
William gave a broad, slightly wistful, smile and said: "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. This is my first time and it is very nice to be here and meet you all."
Diana visited a cancer hospital in Lahore as a guest of Mr Khan and his then wife, Jemima Goldsmith, in May 1997 — just three months before the People's Princess died aged just 36 year-old after a high-speed car crash in Paris.
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The Government-run school in central Islamabad, which educates students between the ages of 4 and 18, was established in 1978.
It currently benefits from the “Teach for Pakistan” programme, a fast-track teacher training programme modelled on the UK’s successful “Teach First” scheme, which is focused on improving the quality of teaching in schools which serve families from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Inside the school the couple first sat with a group of kindergarten children, aged around four, as they learned about numbers and counting under a sign which read: Work Hard, Be Smart.
“Well done, very good,” said Wills, who introduced himself by shaking each of their hands, as they chatted.
They also met a class of youngsters aged 10 to 12 who were told by their teacher: “We have some guests in our class, can we welcome them?”
The children chorused: “Hello, welcome, nice to meet you.”
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In the science room, William and Kate chatted at length with an impressive group of 14-year-olds wearing headscarves.
Kate asked: "This is the science class, yes? Some of the girls were saying that science is their favourite subject at school."
William added: "Do you remember the periodic table? I know that a long time ago, but Catherine you remember it well, don’t you?"
Kate asked: “Do you get to do a lot of experiments? Your English is all so good.”
Her husband added: "We are trying to learn Urdu as we go on, we only know a few words now, but we hope to get better."
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Asked by the chattering group of girls what they thought of Pakistan so far, Kate beamed and replied: "It’s fantastic, this is only day one for us.
"We are going to the north so we will be interested to explore see the difference.”
"Are you enjoying it?" they asked the prince.
Wills replied: "Very much so. This is day one but we have been wanting to come for a very long time so it’s nice to finally be here.
"My mother was here a long time ago, so it’s very nice, my grandmother was here, my father’s been here... a lot of my family members have been here."
Kate added: "This part of the visit is really important to us, the issue of girls and education."
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The Prince asked: "How easy is it for girls to get access to education in Pakistan? Is it easy for girls to be educated in Pakistan."
He seemed delighted to hear that Aima wanted to be a brain surgeon and her friends armies to be poets, lawyers, army officers, teachers —mand even a famous cricketer.
Afterwards Aima said: "It was very interesting it was a real honour. We are big fans of the king and queen.
"We learnt all about his mother, Diana, the princess.
"It was such a pleasure to meet him and talk about school. She she is so very beautiful. Her kurta was beautiful, it is our country’s dress, she was looking very beautiful and we were very touched that she wore it."
Before they left the couple, who appeared delighted at the way the visit had gone, posed for a group picture with some of the students.
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After the school visit, the couple lunched with Prime Minister Imran Khan at his official residence.
William recalled how everyone laughed at a gathering in Richmond-upon-Thames in 1996 when the former Pakistan, Sussex, and Worcestershire cricketer announced his political ambition to the then teenage Prince William and his mother Princess Diana.
Diana had taken him to see Mr Khan and his then wife, Jemima Goldsmith, at the Goldsmith family home in Richmond.
Mr Khan, who was finally elected Pakistani Prime Minister in July 2018, suggested it had been as hard a slog as his earlier career as a Test cricketer.
He said: "When I went with my mother to see a Test match my cousin was playing and he scored a century and I told my mother I wanted to be a Test cricketer.
"I never realised how difficult it was to eventually become one. Similarly, when I told you that I wanted to succeed I didn’t realise it would take me 22 years.”
William, 37, replied: “Sure. It’s not so easy.”
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His wife Kate, who was wearing white trousers by the Pakistani designer Maheen Khan, an emerald green tunic by Catherine Walker and a navy patterned scarf by Satrangi, another local designer, and earrings by the country's firm Zeen, interjected: “You stuck with it.”
The Prime Minister was recalling his friendship with Diana when journalists were allowed into his chamber for a few seconds to see the royal couple meeting him today at his official residence in Islamabad.
They spoke about one of the places that the royal couple will visit tomorrow — the destination is currently under wraps — and Mr Khan said he thought Diana might have been there before.
Mr Khan, who was married to Diana's friend Jemima Goldsmith between 1995 and 2004, uses the residence — known simply as The Prime Minister’s House — for official entertaining, but he actually lives in his private house on the outskirts of the capital.
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The couple will later attend a special reception hosted by the British High Commissioner to Pakistan, where the duke is expected to make a speech.
In his address, William is expected to say that the UK will continue to support the Commonwealth country as a "key partner and friend" during a visit which hopes to strengthen ties between the two nations.
"We share unique bonds and so it will always be in our best interests for Pakistan to succeed," the duke is expected to say.
"You can always rely on the UK to keep playing an important role as a key partner and friend."
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be guarded by a ring of steel with 1,000 police officers on a visit dubbed the "most complex" ever by Kensington Palace.
Yesterday, Kate and Wills were given flowers by local children in traditional dress when they stepped off the British Government's RAF Voyager plane.
The duchess looked elegant in an aqua shalwar kameez — a traditional Pakistani outfit comprised of a long dress and trousers — by British designer Catherine Walker.
It was seen by many royal observers as a respectful nod to the traditions of the strict Muslim country.
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The couple's visit is the first official one to be made by the royal family to the country since Prince Charles and Camilla visited back in 2006.
In their public announcement of the trip, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said their visit will span more than 1,000km of the hardline country.
The tour has been dubbed their "most complex ever" by Kensington Palace and comes amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan over the disputed region of Kashmir, with which both countries share a border.
Details of the royal couple's engagements will be released each day amid the heightened security concerns.
A stylish arrival
By Gabriele Dirvanauskas, Fashion Editor
MOST of us fly in slouchy jumpers and leggings — but not so for Kate Middleton.
She touched down in Pakistan in a custom-made ombré design by Catherine Walker.
The traditional outfit is a long dress or tunic worn over trousers that cuff at the hem.
Kate’s bright design fades from white to a rich aqua — and was a stylish start.
We can’t wait to see what else she’s packed.
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It will take in Islamabad, the city of Lahore, the mountainous countryside in the north and border regions to the west.
It's been stated the Duke and Duchess’s programme will "pay respect to the historical relationship between Britain and Pakistan".
Their five-day-tour will "largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation."
The couple had managed to fit in the school run before heading abroad.
They dropped off George, six, and Charlotte, four, at Thomas’s Battersea before taking a chopper to RAF Brize Norton.
Louis, one, stayed with nanny Maria Borrallo at Kensington Palace.
Their trip also involves visiting programmes "which empower young people, and organisations that help ensure they have the best possible start in life.
However, the visit comes amid heightened tensions over the disputed region of Kashmir, and ongoing terror fears that means cricket teams refuse to play there.
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Both India and Pakistan claim the territory over Kashmir, and the dispute received renewed attention in August when the Indian government revoked the region's semi-autonomy from Delhi.
Skirmishes along the India-Pakistan border had already been increasing since February, when a car bombing by a group aiming to claim Kashmir for Pakistan killed 40 Indian security personnel.
Further details of the royal couple's engagements will be released each day amid the heightened security concerns.
CLIMATE CHANGE
They are expected to meet political and cultural leaders, see how communities in Pakistan are responding to the impacts of climate change, and deepen their understanding of unrest in the region.
A statement released by Kensington Palace earlier this month said: "This is the most complex tour undertaken by The Duke and Duchess to date, given the logistical and security considerations.
"Pakistan hosts one of Britain’s largest overseas networks, with the British High Commission in Islamabad being one of the UK’s largest diplomatic missions in the world."
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The last royal visit to the country was made by the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall in 2006.
The royal couple will also be following in the footsteps of the Duke's mother, Princess Diana, who visited Pakistan three times during her life.
Her visits saw her lay a wreath at Commonwealth war graves, tour Lahore's iconic Badshahi Mosque, and visit a centre for disabled Afghan refugees.
This week's tour comes as London seeks to strengthen its international ties ahead of Britain's exit from the European Union, while Islamabad hopes to encourage tourism and reassure prospective visitors over security.
Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi told reporters on Friday: “This is a goodwill visit, and they want to promote good relations between Pakistan, England and our new generation.”
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Government spokesman Iftikhar Durrani said: “This visit is definitely going to help Pakistan build an image in the world, to see that this place is no more a security risk, this place is peaceful enough to host dignities like the royal couple.”
He added that the Pakistani government would use the visits to highlight its current stance on the dispute over Kashmir.
The visit has already provided a boost to Pakistan's retail industry.
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Last week, stock of a pair of £6 earrings by Pakistani designer Zeen sold out minutes after the Duchess was seen wearing them at an event in London.
Yusra Askari, a spokesperson for industry body Fashion Pakistan, said: “The Duchess of Cambridge is a global fashion icon and trend setter.
“(It’s) time for Pakistani designers and the country’s fashion industry to brace for the ‘Kate Effect’.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived at the official residence of Prime Minister Imran Khan on their tour of Pakistan
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