Prince William and Princess Kate have been to many countries around the world since their wedding in 2011 including Australia, Germany, Singapore, Canada and the United States.
According to an article on People by Simon Perry, the royal couple’s spokesperson has stated that the five-day tour of Pakistan was the ‘most complex’ tour considering security and logistical aspects.
Reportedly, the British government asked the royal couple to pay a visit to Pakistan from October 14-18 in order to help cement links between the two countries and their people.
A senior source quoted in the article stated, “What happens in Pakistan matters on the streets of the U.K. It is one of the most important relationships that the UK has.”
Since independence, Pakistan has been a member of the Commonwealth along with 53 other nations. The relation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom consists of a huge number of connections between the people and governments of both countries. Currently, there are around 1.5 million people in the UK with family links in Pakistan.
Prince William won’t be the first one among UK’s ruling family to pay a visit to Pakistan. His grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, UK’s ruling monarch, has twice visited Pakistan, in 1961 and 1997. The prince’s late mother, Princess Diana, visited Pakistan twice in 1997.
Prince William and Princess Kate will be in the limelight during their visit to Pakistan. The royal couple’s spokesperson told media, “The royal couple will be visiting programmes which empower young people and organisations that help ensure they have the best possible start in life.”
Kate Middleton is particularly interested in causes related to the welfare of children. The royal couple’s interest in childhood development is in line with UK’s top priority in Pakistan, which is access to quality education, especially for girls and young women.
Moreover, the royal couple will be meeting a wide array of people, from children to businesspeople, and conservationists to sports stars. They will reportedly cover 620 miles during their visit.
According to their spokesperson, the events that the royal couple will be attending would aim to show Pakistan as a ‘dynamic, aspirational and forward-looking nation’. He added that both the royals are excited to spend time with young Pakistanis.
The royals will have to make use of their diplomatic prowess to win over the people they meet in order to further the causes they champion.