It’s not her first Emilia Wickstead look of the tour, but the Duchess of Cambridge, née Kate Middleton turned to one of her go-to pieces for the couple’s highly-anticipated arrival in Bhutan on Thursday.
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There are also concerns that the site may be overrun by tourists when William and Kate are there, as it only closes for visits by heads of state or government. From then on, Kensington Palace asked reporters and photographers to allow the couple to continue the climb and experience the monastery in private.
“We felt the tremor very strongly, but all is fine”, said British Deputy High Commissioner Scott Furssedonn-Wood, who was staying in the same 12-cottage jungle resort as Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton.
The Duchess was dressed in a white blouse, nubuck waistcoat from Really Wild, leggings and Penelope Chilvers calf-length boots, while William looked casual in chinos, a blue shirt and walking boots. William’s father, Prince Charles, had planned to make the same hike in 1998 but was injured in a polo match so instead stopped before the ascent and painted a scenic picture in watercolors. “That’s something I’ll be reminding him of when I see him”.
Amid the tranquil backdrop of the Himalayan mountains, a very relaxed Prince William and Kate put on a rare display of public affection.
They listened to a guide tell the history and legends surrounding Buddhism’s most sacred monastery complex in Bhutan, built in 1692 at an altitude of 3,000 meters (10,000 feet).
On Friday, they will take a six-hour trek to Paro Taktsang, a spectacular Buddhist monastery perched on a cliff edge.
Kate had earlier joked about the rocky climb: “It’s a great way to burn off the curry”.
The visit “is a symbol of the centuries-old relationship between Bhutan and the United Kingdom”, said Michael Rutland, who has lived in Bhutan since the 1970s and serves as honorary United Kingdom consul in the country. Rarely photographed holding hands or kissing, we caught some moments between the couple that show off how much they care about each other, whether it’s a gaze one gives the other, a small touch on the shoulder or even flashing that knowing smile.
The couple said they also hope to return to Bhutan with their brood.
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One day is left of the trip and it is most likely going to be an emotional occasion for William as they are due to visit the Taj Mahal.
