Kate speaks in Urdu as she joins William at children’s village in Lahore
The Duchess of Cambridge spoke some words of Urdu during her first speech of her and the duke’s royal tour of Pakistan.
Young boys and girls at SOS Children’s Village in Lahore cheered as the duchess tried her hand at the local language.
Kate spoke of the importance of family during her address at the charitable organisation, which provides a home for 150 orphaned young girls and boys.
She began her address in a greeting in Urdu, before wishing three youngsters at the village a happy birthday.
“Parents, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents all play important roles – you have reminded us exactly what family means,” the duchess said.
🎂Wishing a very happy birthday to Iman (12), Ibrahim (6), and Daniyal (8)!@SOSChildrenPK#RoyalVisitPakistanpic.twitter.com/v46Rb0gZWB
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 17, 2019
“You have shown us too, that it is not simply a term that describes the relationship between blood relatives.
“Instead it describes those special bonds we share with those who make us feel safe and supported.
“It is the quality of those relationships that matters.”
The duchess referred to a speech she made last month, where she urged parents to embrace the help of “broader communities”.
Kate said: “Earlier this year I talked about the fact that it takes a village to raise a child.
“The village we have seen here today is the best representation of that ideal that I could have possibly imagined.”
The duchess finished her address with another happy birthday message.
Kate and William were given brightly coloured finger puppets while sitting in on a musical story telling session on Thursday.
Built over 10 acres, the village, which is attached to a school, began with 15 family homes, to which another four have since been added.
William told the children it was “very nice to be here”, asking about their ages.
He asked one boy: “How old do you think I am?”
When the child said 21, a laughing William, who is 37, said: “I’ll take 21, that’s good!”
They were invited to celebrate three of the children’s birthdays, Iman, 12, Ibrahim, six, and eight-year-old Daniyal, by singing happy birthday and helping them to cut a cake.
