PRINCE WILLIAM and Kate Middleton got to show off their cricketing skills during a showcase as they continued their tour of Pakistan.
The Duke and Duchess are set to follow in the footsteps of Princess Diana later today when they visit poorly kids in a cancer hospital.
William and Kate will visit the capital of Punjab – situated close to Pakistan‘s border with India and considered one of the Commonwealth country’s more colourful and cultural cities.
They arrived this morning on the RAF Voyager to kick off the fourth day of their tour.
Kate wore a white shalwar kameez made by the Pakistani brand Gul Ahmed and matched it with a shawl by Maheen Khan and tan shoes by Gianvito Rossi.
Her outfit was embroidered with a design of jamine flowers, Pakistan’s national flower.
Their itinerary on Thursday began with a birthday party at SOS Children’s Village, a charitable organisation in the heart of the city established in 1977.
Kate Middleton spoke in Urdu at the event, which involved games, music and traditional Pakistani cakes.
It will be her first speech of the week, following the duke’s address on Tuesday evening.
Next up is a visit to the National Cricket Academy, where the couple will join youngsters for a game of Pakistan’s national sport.
Both Wills and Kate got stuck in with a game.
It’s not the first time Kate has shown off her cricketing skills, having worn high heels for a game in New Zealand in 2014 and once again during a trip to India in 2016.
Prince William though perhaps looked more at ease when he stepped up to the crease, managing to score a six off one ball.
The children are participating in the British Council’s DOSTI programme – Dosti meaning friendship in Urdu – which promotes sport as an integral part of child development.
The royal couple also met some of Pakistan’s cricketing heroes and learned about the programme.
The couple will have the opportunity to meet a number of Pakistan’s cricketing legends, having already had lunch with former international cricket Prime Minister Imran Khan on Tuesday.
William and Kate will then be taken on a tour of the Badshahi Mosque, the most historic Islamic site in Lahore, set in the heart of the Walled City.
Prince William will be following in the footsteps of both of his parents with the visit. His mother Diana, Princess of Wales visited the site in 1991, and it was also included in the 2006 royal tour of Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
What Kate said in her speech
We’ve had such an amazing time walking around the village and learning all about your lives.
We have been really moved and touched by what we have seen, and by the happy home you have made.
Im aware that many of you have experienced extremely difficult times in your lives. But it is inspiring to see how you have used your strength and positivity to help transform the lives of so many young children here.
Being here in Pakistan this week, William and I have seen on several occasions how family is at the heart of your culture.
Parents, children, aunts, uncles, grandparents all play important roles you have reminded us exactly what family means.
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.
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.
Together as a village you are transforming children’s lives and providing them with strong foundations to support all their families.
You have created a home, where children are given the love, protection, and support that will enable them to have a fairer chance in life.
Here, women who were once vulnerable, now play the most vital of roles as mothers and it is most heartening to see that you are not doing this alone.
Wrapping up their forth and penultimate day, the couple will then travel to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
The cancer facility is another location previously visited by the late Diana, as a guest of her friend Mr Khan.
The royal couple will visit the children’s ward to spend time with patients undergoing treatment at the hospital, and are anticipated to speak to a number of their families.
