Excitement is building for the upcoming royal see to Pakistan starting in just ten days. Below, a countdown to the tour as shown on the UK in Pakistan Facebook page. 

Details about the tour were released today, as well as media covering the trip were formally briefed at Buckingham Palace this afternoon.

As noted in the release, the five-day tour that begins Monday, October 14, is being undertaken at the request of the foreign as well as Commonwealth Office. The trip “…will pay respect to the historical connection between Britain as well as Pakistan, it will largely focus on showcasing Pakistan as it is today – a dynamic, aspirational as well as forward-looking nation”. among the places on the schedule:

Islamabad, Pakistan’s funding city.

Lahore, the funding of the province of Punjab. Below, Badshahi Mosque in Lahore.

the “rugged border regions to the West”

the “mountainous countryside in the north”

Today’s briefing notes explain that “Pakistan hosts one of Britain’s largest overseas networks, with the British High compensation in Islamabad being one of the UK’s largest diplomatic missions in the world.” An aide underscored the importance of the connection between the two countries, commenting at today’s briefing that, “What happens in Pakistan matters on the streets of Britain.”

Below, the Duke as well as Duchess at this week’s reception at the Aga Khan Centre celebrating the country’s culture as well as people. 

The couple at a personal satisfying before the reception that included the UK’s Ambassador to Pakistan, Thomas Drew, as well as Pakistan’s High Commissioner to the UK, Nafees Zakaria.  

More about the focus areas for the tour:

The Duke & Duchess will “visit programmes which empower young people, as well as organisations that assist ensure they have the best possible begin in life. gain access to to high quality education, especially to girls as well as young women is one of the UK’s top priorities in Pakistan. The Duke as well as Duchess are looking ahead to costs time satisfying young Pakistanis, as well as hearing more about their aspirations for the future.”

They will see exactly how “communities in Pakistan are quickly responding as well as adapting to the effects of climate change… a key area of interest”.

Kate as well as William are scheduled to satisfy “a wide range of people, including children as well as young people, leaders from government, business as well as the charity sector, inspiring conservationists, as well as well-known cultural figures as well as sporting stars.”

This is the very first official see to the country by the British Royal household since the Prince of Wales as well as Duchess of Cornwall were there in 2006. Below, the couple as they were leaving an archaeological site near Islamabad in October 2006. 

HM visited the country in 1961 as well as once again in 1997. Below, the Queen as well as Prince Philip at a dinner in Lahore in February 1961.
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Diana, Princess of Wales, visited the country several times. right here you see her at a reception in her honor in October 1991.
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And right here you see the late Princess in 1996 with close good friend Jemima Khan, neé Goldsmith, who was married to Imran Khan (r), the world Cup-winning captain of Pakistan’s national cricket team in 1992 as well as a philanthropist. The couple divorced in 2004. Ms. Goldsmith is now a media producer, as well as Mr. Khan is Pakistan’s Prime Minister.  

This trip will be markedly different from previous tours in terms of the info flow. There was no itinerary released today, nor will there be going forward. Scheduling details as well as specifics about engagements will be embargoed, as referenced in this tweet from the everyday Mail’s Rebecca English. 

That speaks to the security issues surrounding the trip. As noted in the official communique: “This is the most complex tour undertaken by The Duke as well as Duchess to date, provided the logistical as well as security considerations.” more from the news release:

Their Royal Highnesses will likewise spend time comprehending the complex security photo in Pakistan. They will discover more about the challenges as well as opportunities, both of the past as well as today. The UK has been a key partner for Pakistan, as well as The Duke as well as Duchess will satisfy UK as well as Pakistan armed forces workers who are sharing expertise to enhance security.

In her story for town as well as Country, Victoria Murphy notes that the foreign as well as Commonwealth office currently advises against travel by the public to some parts of Pakistan. 

As seen on the map, Pakistan is bordered by India, Afghanistan, Iran, China, as well as the Arabian Sea to the south. From The Mirror’s story by Tom Davidson:

William as well as Kate’s see comes at a time of heightened tensions in Pakistan, as India just recently revoked the special condition of Kashmir, a area at the centre of ownership debates between the two countries.

More about the entourage for the trip via Omid Scobie’s story for Harper’s Bazaar.

Flying with the couple on the Royal Air force Voyager, a team of 14 will ensure whatever runs meticulously to plan. Amongst the entourage are personal secretaries Catherine Quinn as well as Simon situation as well as head of communications Christian Jones, with four other team members, two assistant personal secretaries, two program coordinators, a palace assistant, an orderly, as well as a privately-funded hairstylist, believed to be Amanda cook Tucker, for the duchess.

Some quick background notes.

The country is officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan.

Pakistan withdrew from the Commonwealth in 1972 however rejoined in 1989.

The flag features “a vertical white band (symbolizing the function of religious minorities) on the hoist side; a big white crescent as well as star are centered in the eco-friendly field; the crescent, star, as well as color eco-friendly are traditional symbols of Islam” per the CIA Factbook.

The national flower is the jasmine, shown below in an picture from Pak cultural Society.

The weather condition in mid-October will be warm, although it can be much cooler in the mountainous areas.

The time zone is PKT (Pakistan common Time), or GMT +5 hours. That translates to 9 hours ahead of the east coastline in the US, 4 hours ahead of London. (At noon in Pakistan it is 8am in London, as well as 3am in NYC.)

None of the Cambridge children will be taking part in the tour.

We’ll likely see the Duchess in traditional gown at some point; we can likewise expect to see the national colors as well as perhaps even the flower reflected in her wardrobe.

NOTE: The publish at first showed an incorrect picture of the country’s national flower.  many thanks to Linda for her commenting setting me straight!

LINKAGE:

You can checked out the entire release by clicking here

The CIA’s world Factbook for Pakistan is here

The evening common story is here; The Mirror’s piece is here

Hello’s piece is here; Simon Perry’s People article is here; Victoria Murphy’s Town as well as Country story is here; Omid Scobie’s Harper’s Bazaar piece is here

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