William and Kate make colourful entrance in auto rickshaw at Islamabad reception
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in style to a special reception in Pakistan – opting for an auto rickshaw as they wrapped up their second day of the royal tour.
William and Kate travelled in the colourful cart to the historic Pakistan Monument in Islamabad on Tuesday evening for an event hosted by Thomas Drew, the British High Commissioner to Pakistan.
A speech by the duke is due to show the UK's support for the Commonwealth country, which he is anticipated to call a "key partner and friend".
Kate wore a glittering emerald dress by Jenny Packham, while William wore a similar-coloured traditional sherwani buttoned coat by Karachi-based designer Naushemian.
The event is due to showcase Pakistani music and culture, and the couple will have the opportunity to meet individuals from business, the creative arts, music and the film industry and members of government.
"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."
A busy itinerary on their first full day in the capital Islamabad saw the royal couple meet Prime Minister Imran Khan and visit two education programmes, including a government-run school for students aged between four and 18.
The meeting between the duke and Mr Khan saw the pair reminiscing about the ex-Test cricketer speaking of his political ambitions more than 20 years ago.
The duke told how everyone laughed at a gathering in Richmond-upon-Thames, south-west London, in 1996 when Mr Khan announced his ambition of becoming prime minister to William and his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.
The former international cricketer was a friend of Diana, who had taken the young duke to visit him and his then wife, Jemima Goldsmith.
Recalling his younger aspirations of becoming a cricketer, Mr Khan 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."
Diana visited a cancer hospital in Lahore as a guest of Mr Khan and his then wife in May 1997 – just three months before she died.
Earlier on Tuesday, Kate and William met President Arif Alvi, who recalled running along Victoria Road in Karachi to catch a glimpse of the Queen during her 1961 state visit.
"It was miraculous to see her," he told William, who spoke of the Prince of Wales's visit to Pakistan in 2006.
The royal couple's first engagement saw one of the students at the government-run school, 14-year-old Aima, tell the duke that the students were "big fans of your mother".
"Oh, that's very sweet of you," William replied.
"I was a big fan of my mother too. She came here three times. This is my first time and it is very nice to be here and meet you all."
