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11 Apr, 2016

While we were consumed with the debut of Taher Shah's 'Angel', the other side of the border was buzzing with the news of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s seven-day tour of India and Bhutan.

Locals in Mumbai wore masks in anticipation of William and Kate's arrival in the city —Photo credits: Splash News
Locals in Mumbai wore masks in anticipation of William and Kate's arrival in the city —Photo credits: Splash News

You know what they say, when in Rome, do as the Romans do.

The couple landed in Mumbai yesterday and visited the iconic Taj Mahal Palace hotel, paying their respects to all those who lost their lives in the 2008 terror attacks that happened there.

They placed down a wreath in respect of the 31 people who were killed in the horrific attack
They placed down a wreath in respect of the 31 people who were killed in the horrific attack

Here are some highlights from their trip so far:

1) Starting their trip with a swing and a hit

They then headed to Oval Maiden for a charity cricket match; Kate got some tips from the legends, Sachin Tendulkar and Dilip Vengsarkar before stepping up to the pitch.

The couple was greeted by India's former cricket champion, Sachin Tendulkar at the ground (L)
The couple was greeted by India's former cricket champion, Sachin Tendulkar at the ground (L)

More power to Kate for doing it dressed in a long Anita Dongre dress and high wedges!

Kate was all smiles as she took part in drills
Kate was all smiles as she took part in drills

2) Fundraiser with the rich and famous

However, the highlight of the trip so far has been the royal couple’s evening spent with Bollywood’s biggest stars at a charity gala. Now this one was a night to remember.

Kate looked like a true princess in a bespoke Jenny Packham dress, paired with lapis and diamond earrings by Amrapali.

The beading for her custom Packham dress was done in India
The beading for her custom Packham dress was done in India

To welcome them, attendees included Shah Rukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Alia Bhatt, Sonam Kapoor and Parineeti Chopra, to name a few.

The leading ladies of Bolly town huddle up to get a picture with the duo
The leading ladies of Bolly town huddle up to get a picture with the duo

Prince William revealed in his speech that this trip had been on the agenda for a while: "When Catherine and I were married, India was the first place on Catherine's list that she told me that she wanted to visit. Two children and five years later, we have finally made it – and we are both honoured to be here."

Mr Khan was so delighted to meet Kate and William he invited them out on the town with him, reports Daily Mail.

Bolly royalty stepped out dressed to the nines to meet real royalty
Bolly royalty stepped out dressed to the nines to meet real royalty

Guests at the gala were encouraged to donate to three charities -- Childline India, Magic Bus and Door Step School, all of which help the poorest and most vulnerable children of India, many of whom are living in squalid conditions in the nation's slums.

3) SRK gets starstruck

When asked about his first impression of the Duchess, the king of Bollywood sounded smitten, saying, "Is it okay to say she's extremely beautiful and elegant? Well she is!"

The Dilwale leading man even invited them out for a night on the town: "If they spend more time here I think they'll love it. I could definitely show them a good time! I'll take them out."

SRK said they spoke about his kids going to school in the UK
SRK said they spoke about his kids going to school in the UK

4) Day 2 kicks off with inspiring budding innovators

Earlier today, the Highnesses attended an event at Social Offline, a creative, urban cafe space and met young entrepreneurs & business leaders in Mumbai.

The Duke gave a short speech and launched the Tech Rocketship Awards —Photo courtesy: Kensington Palace Official Twitter
The Duke gave a short speech and launched the Tech Rocketship Awards —Photo courtesy: Kensington Palace Official Twitter

Prince William tried the Need for Speed simulator while Kate learnt to type in Braille.

William said, "Being here today, it is clear that India is leading the way in so many areas of innovation and technology"
William said, "Being here today, it is clear that India is leading the way in so many areas of innovation and technology"

5) What next?

The royal couple had bid adieu to Mumbai for now and is headed to New Delhi.

Another celebration is planned for tonight: a garden party to mark Queen Elizabeth's upcoming 90th birthday. William is to "use the occasion to personally pay tribute to his grandmother with a speech to the invited guests," his spokesman said at the Buckingham Palace briefing.

Also on their itinerary is a tour of the home of Mahatma Gandhi, a safari at the remote Kaziranga National Park and a meeting with the folks running Elephant Family, the elephant sanctuary supported by the family of Prince William's stepmother Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.

They will round off their week-long trip with a tour of the Taj Mahal, where William's mother Princess Diana made a famous solo visit in 1992, a month before the announcement of her separation from Prince Charles.

Princess Diana sits in front of the Taj Mahal —Photo credits: People.com
Princess Diana sits in front of the Taj Mahal —Photo credits: People.com

Comments

Arka Apr 11, 2016 02:39pm
Bollywood meeting royal couple "Why are you so famous?" "Well I guess my family is famous so me also." "me also" "me also" "same" "me also"
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Sarcastic Scoundrel Apr 11, 2016 02:41pm
Wah Ji Wah
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SWAT Apr 11, 2016 02:56pm
Cool story bruhhh
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Khan Apr 11, 2016 03:00pm
Wow lucky Royal couple!!!!
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A Shah Apr 11, 2016 03:01pm
India is just amazing.
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A Shah Apr 11, 2016 03:01pm
The royal couple should come to Pakistan too.
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Harmony-1© Apr 11, 2016 03:02pm
Shirt not tucked in the trouser is some kind of South Asian dress sense only as we seem to have taken a literal meaning to 'casual dress’. I would have thought Tendulkar of all people would have had the dress sense of shirt always inside the trouser rule, when choosing to wear Western dress before a photo shoot with The Royals.
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Enkay Apr 11, 2016 03:27pm
@A Shah : "The royal couple should come to Pakistan too." Exactly. Possibly the Royal Couple might visit Pakistan on their way back to the UK.
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samunderkeran Apr 11, 2016 03:53pm
Awww this is so nice, I want to be a princess too!
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Dipak Singh Apr 11, 2016 04:11pm
@Harmony-1© Yes he was in casual on that time... like in the playing ground to ball a few round for the Lady. anyway he is not less than Royal's & what ever he is due to his own strength not like Royal Family. Huhh
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Rohit Apr 11, 2016 04:15pm
Shirt not tucked in the trouser is some kind of South Asian dress sense only as we seem to have taken a literal meaning to 'casual dress’. I would have thought Tendulkar of all people would have had the dress sense of shirt always inside the trouser rule, when choosing to wear Western dress before a photo shoot with The Royals.@Harmony-1© They might be royals in england, in India they are just ordinary tourists.....no protocol necessary......they didnt even make it to page 3 in India
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Ali Apr 11, 2016 04:30pm
Why does it make me think that India is still ruled by England? A garden party to mark Queen Elizabeth's upcoming 90th birthday??? Do the English people celebrate a party on Ghandi's birthday???
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Satt Apr 11, 2016 04:36pm
@Ali No they make films for all times.
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Raja Parekh Apr 11, 2016 04:47pm
@Ali , I agree with your point.
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garbled Apr 11, 2016 04:57pm
@Ali ...Its all about the money, honey!....
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garbled Apr 11, 2016 05:01pm
@Ali Last year, Gandhi's statue was unveiled in the Parliament Square , London to commemorate 100th anniversary of his return to India.
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mimi Apr 11, 2016 05:09pm
shirt not tucked is the style here in US ,
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Ammu Apr 11, 2016 11:32pm
@Ali Yes Ali, Gandhi's Birthday is celebrated in the UK. Very respected and prayed to by the US, UK, South Africans and much of the world.
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YourNeighbor Apr 11, 2016 11:47pm
@Ali Yes they do.
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Mayank Apr 12, 2016 01:15pm
@Ali They do FYI.
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Myview Apr 12, 2016 06:57pm
@Arka So your point is???? Even if they belong to the Royal family by shear luck,they have the right to enjoy the fame that comes with it. Wouldn't you,my dear?
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SAEED MASOOD Apr 13, 2016 03:20pm
I wish Diana was alive to her son and daughter in law...she would have been so happy..
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Haris Apr 13, 2016 06:26pm
William said, "Being here today, it is clear that India is leading the way in so many areas of innovation and technology" says it all. Love you India.
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Jag Apr 14, 2016 09:22pm
@Harmony-1© that all you could come up with? Good for you!!!
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