The Duke of Cambridge today made an emotional visit one of the world’s biggest mosques on his five-day tour of Pakistan today, nearly 30 years after his late mother Princess Diana made a trip there.
Prince William and his wife Kate – wearing a green shalwar kameez by Maheen Khan and headscarf – looked around the Badshahi Mosque, which is the most iconic Islamic site in Lahore, set in the heart of the walled city.
The royals toured the mosque and courtyard, before joining a discussion with faith leaders to understand how they are promoting interfaith harmony within their communities.
The duke wore a cream linen suit and black socks with his shoes off, while the duchess went barefoot as they visited what is one of the country’s most historic sights.
William is following in the footsteps of both 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 the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk along the carpet during a visit to Badshahi Mosque at Lahore in Pakistan today
The Duchess of Cambridge wears a green shalwar kameez by Maheen Khan and headscarf at the Badshahi Mosque today
The Duke and Duchess arrive for their visit to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore on the fourth day of the royal visit to Pakistan today
William and Kate visit the Badshahi Mosque today, the most iconic Islamic site in Lahore, set in the heart of the walled city
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore on the fourth day of the royal visit today
Kate wears an emerald green headscarf with a matching shalwar kameez by Maheen Khan during the couple’s visit today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sit on the floor during a visit today to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan
The duke wore a cream linen suit and black socks with his shoes off, while the duchess went barefoot at the mosque today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge smile at each other as they visit the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore todaywithin the Walled City during day four of their royal tour of Pakistan on October 17, 2019 in Lahore, Pakistan. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Diana, Princess of Wales wears a shawl given to her during a visit to the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore in September 1991
Diana takes a walk inside the historic Badshahi Mosque built by Mughal emperors on her visit to Lahore in September 1991
Earlier, the Duke and Duchess showed off their cricketing skills while playing Pakistan’s national sport today as they laughed while going into bat and bowl during their five-day tour of the country.
Their Royal Highnesses excitedly joined in a match with children who are participating in the British Council’s DOSTI programme – Dosti means friendship in Urdu – at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore.
They met some of Pakistan’s cricketing legends as they learned about the programme promoting sport as an integral part of child development, encouraging social integration, increased self-esteem and skills development.
William and the duchess both took turns hitting some soft balls in a game. There were cheers as the duke hit a six, while Kate was caught out twice after half a dozen balls – but they were deliberately dropped by the catchers.
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore today as the royal tour of Pakistan continues
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for their visit to the Badshahi Mosque within the Walled City of Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess are welcome to the second-largest mosque in Pakistan today during their five-day tour of the country
William is following in the footsteps of both his parents with the visit to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore today
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for the interfaith meeting today at Badshahi Mosque in Lahore, Pakistan
The royals toured the mosque and courtyard in Lahore, before joining a discussion with faith leaders today
Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a visit of Pakistan between Monday and Friday this week
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are shown around the grounds of the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge go on a tour of Badshahi Mosque in Lahore during their royal visit today
William is following in the footsteps of both Diana and Prince Charles with the visit to the mosque in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are pictured today during a visit to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore
The Duchess of Cambridge wears a green shalwar kameez by Maheen Khan and headscarf for her visit in Lahore today
The Badshahi Mosque is one of the country’s most historic sights and is part of the itinerary for the royal visit this week
The mosque is one of the country’s most historic sights and was visited by William’s mother Diana, Princess of Wales, in 1991
The competitive couple often face off against each other in sporting events, including at a sailing regatta in the summer. After both taking a turn at the wicket, the couple high-fived the boys and girls they were playing with.
The couple also had the chance to tell a story to children with finger puppets today as they visited the SOS Children’s Village, a centre for local orphans in the heart of the city which was established in 1977.
The SOS Children’s Village, which is attached to a school, provides a home and family structure to over 150 young girls and boys, and promotes the development of children into happy, confident and resilient adults.
William and Kate joined a birthday party for one of the children, which involved games, music and traditional Pakistani cakes, and the duchess said a few words, her first speech of the five-day tour.
The Duchess of Cambridge gestures as she talks during her visit to Badshahi Mosque with the Duke in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge sit on the carpet during a visit to Badshahi Mosque in Lahore today
The duke wore a cream linen suit and black socks with his shoes off for the visit to the mosque in Lahore today
The trip by the Duke and Duchess today comes after the mosque was visited by William’s mother Diana nearly 30 years ago
Kate wears a headscarf as she visits the mosque in Lahore today, which is one of Pakistan’s most historic sights
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge look at each other as they visit the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appeared to enjoy their visit to the Badshahi Mosque in Lahore today
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Badshahi Mosque within the Walled City today during day four of the royal tour
The royal couple pose for a photo on the steps of the mosque in Lahore as the visit to Pakistan continues
The duke wore black socks with his shoes off, while the duchess went barefoot for the visit to the mosque in Lahore today
Kate and William walk along the carpet in the grounds of the mosque as their tour around Lahore today continues
Kate wears an emerald green headscarf with a matching shalwar kameez for the visit to the Badshahi Mosque today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for an interfaith meeting at Badshahi Mosque today during their visit to Pakistan
The royals toured the mosque and courtyard, before joining a discussion with faith leaders at the mosque today
The Duchess wears a headscarf looks around the grounds of the mosque in the city of Lahore today
The red carpet is laid out as media gather ahead of the visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Badshahi Mosque today
The Cambridges smile as they look around the grounds of what is one of the world’s largest mosques, in Pakistan today
They will later make a trip to the same cancer hospital visited by Diana in the year before her death. Earlier, the royals were given a red carpet welcome at Lahore Airport as they met the city’s governor.
The SOS Children’s Village provides a home and family structure to over 150 orphaned children from babies to age 18, and promotes the development of them into happy, confident and resilient adults.
Built over ten acres, it started out with 15 family homes, to which another four have since been added. Touchingly, one of the homes was donated by a man called Mohammed Afzal, who grew up in the village and is now a successful Hong Kong-based businessman.
He is one of a number of success stories, with children going on to become bankers, IT specialists, army officer, teachers, textile workers and government employees.
The original site, the first to be built in Pakistan, had no provision for education, with children sent to outside schools.
But it was quickly realised that the best possible eduction could only be offered by creating its own school on the site.
The couple began by sitting in on a musical story telling session and were given brightly-coloured finger puppets to play along with.
‘It’s very nice to be here,’ said Wiliam, ‘My name is William…. I am called William. How old you you?
After asking each of the children’s ages, he asked one little boy: ‘How old do you think I am? ‘
‘Twenty one,’ offered the child. ‘I’ll take twenty one, that’s good! ‘ he laughed. ‘I am a little bit older than that. Can you guess?
‘I have my own children. A little boy called Louis and then there is Charlotte and them George, who is six. He’s almost as old as you.’
The couple then went into a private meeting with seven children who live in one of the boarding houses and their ‘house mother’.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge laugh as they play cricket today during their visit to Lahore’s National Cricket Academy
The Duchess of Cambridge plays cricket during her visit to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
Kate goes to bowl the ball during the visit to Lahore, before going in to bat at the National Cricket Academy today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge show off their cricketing skills while playing Pakistan’s national sport today
Kate laughed and clapped her hands while going into bat and bowl during the royals’ five-day tour of the country.
The Duchess of Cambridge reacts and laughs while playing cricket during her visit at the National Cricket Academy today
The royal couple excitedly joined in a match today with children participating in the British Council’s DOSTI programme
The Duke and Duchess pose for a group photo as they visit the National Cricket Academy in Lahore in Pakistan today
The Duchess of Cambridge today learned about the programme promoting sport as an integral part of child development
Kate joins in a match today with children in the British Council’s DOSTI programme, which encourages social integration
The programme visited by the royals in Lahore today aims to improve the self-esteem and skills development of children
The Duchess of Cambridge hits the ball during a visit to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today on the Pakistan tour
Kate laughs as she throws the ball while playing Pakistan’s national sport at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
William hits the ball with his Pakistan Cricket Board bat during the royal visit to the National Cricket Academy today
The Duchess of Cambridge throws the ball today as she shows off her cricketing skills while playing Pakistan’s national sport
Kate joins children participating in the British Council’s Dosti programme for a match of Pakistan’s national game today
William and Kate are at the event at the National Cricket Academy where they will meet international cricketing legends today
Kate goes to bat the ball while joining in a match with children participating in the British Council’s DOSTI programme today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet people at today’s cricket showcase at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge go out to bat during a visit to see the British Council’s DOSTI cricket programme today
Kate picks up the ball during the cricket match at the National Cricket Academy in Pakistan today
The couple both took turns hitting some soft balls in a game of cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
Kate joined children in the British Council’s Dosti programme today, which promotes sport as a part of child development
William and Kate were introduced to a number of cricketing figures at the ground today after playing in the match
There were cheers as the duke hit a six, while Kate was caught out twice after half a dozen balls today
Afterwards they were invited to celebrate three of the children’s birthdays – Iman, 12, Ibrahim, six, and eight-year-old Daniyal by singing a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday and helping them to cut a cake.
Kate began an address in a greeting in Urdu, before wishing the three youngsters a happy birthday.
In her first speech of the tour the duchess said: ‘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.
‘I’m 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.’
She continued: ‘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.
After both taking a turn at the wicket, the couple high-fived the young boys and girls they were playing with on the pitch
The Dosti programme visited by Kate and William in Pakistan today promotes sport as a part of child development
The Duke of Cambridge goes out to bat during a visit to see the British Council’s DOSTI cricket programme today
The competitive couple often face off against each other in sporting events, and played cricket in Pakistan today
The Duke of Cambridge hits the ball during a visit to see the British Council’s DOSTI cricket programme in Lahore today
Kate and William both went in to bat as they played cricket at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
The Duchess of Cambridge showed off her cricket abilities after picking up the bat during their Pakistan royal tour today
Kate hits the ball during the cricket match today at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
Kate goes to hit the ball while playing in a cricket match with her husband in Lahore today
Kate and William both take part in the cricket match in Lahore today as their tour of Pakistan continues
The DOSTI programme is named after the word meaning friendship in Urdu. Kate is pictured playing cricket in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pose for a group photo as they visit the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
The Duchess of Cambridge laughs as she visits the National Cricket Academy in Lahore during the royal tour of Pakistan today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge speak to young players as they visit the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
Kate speaks to cricket players and Prince William hits the ball during the match in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shake hands with child participants at the National Cricket Academy today
Kate meets people taking part in the cricket programme at Pakistan’s National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
Kate arrives at the National Cricket Academy today where she is introduced to youngsters taking part in the programme
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meet youngsters at the cricket showcase at the National Cricket Academy today
The Duchess of Cambridge arrives for her visit of the National Cricket Academy in Lahore during the royal tour today
The couple talk to players during their visit of the National Cricket Academy during day four of their tour to Pakistan today
The British Council runs the DOSTI programme to promote sport as an integral part of child development in Lahore
The royals talk with child participants of the British Council’s DOSTI programme at the National Cricket Academy today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talk to players during their visit to the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
Children at the British Council’s DOSTI cricket programme, a sports for peace initiative, await the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at National Cricket Academy in Lahore today the fourth day of the royal visit to Pakistan
Media await the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the British Council’s DOSTI cricket programme today
Cricket players warm up ahead of Prince William and Kate visiting the National Cricket Academy in Lahore today
‘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.’
Iman, who has been at the Village for three years, said: ‘It very nice to meet the Prince and Princess. I am so happy and thankful to have them to celebrate my birthday.’
She added: ‘Her Urdu was very good.’
Umma Kashmir, 39, was left at the village at three months old and never knew her parents.
‘I was here for 25 years and am now married with three children and I have done my PHD and lecture at university in management sciences, ‘ she said proudly.
‘I never saw my parents and I never asked who they were. This was my family, they loved and cared for me. I didn’t feel the need to find out.
‘I was really delighted to be invited and to meet them. They seemed very impressed by what they saw here. It was an honour.’
William, accompanied by his wife, Kate, travelled from the capital Islamabad to the bustling city of Lahore today, where they will later make a trip to the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital and Research Centre.
The couple were greeted this morning by officials and a posy of flowers before going into the airport terminal for a private meeting with the Governor of Lahore, and the Duchess looked ethereal in ivory as she arrived.
Kate, wearing a shalwar kameez by Gul Ahmed and a shawl by Maheem Khan, kept her husband, Prince William, waiting for a few moments before they stepped off their official RAF Voyager plane.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tell a story to children with finger puppets today in Lahore during their tour of Pakistan
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit the SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today during their tour of Pakistan
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge entertain the youngsters during a visit to SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The SOS Children’s Village, which is attached to a school, provides a home and family structure to young girls and boys
William and Kate visit SOS Children’s Village today, a charitable organisation in the heart of the Lahore established in 1977
More than 150 young girls and boys are helped by the SOS Children’s Village in the city of Lahore in Pakistan
William and Kate join a birthday party for one of the children at the SOS Children’s Village today which involves games
The duchess says a few words during the visit to the SOS Children’s Village today, which is her first speech of the five-day tour
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in a storytelling session during their visit to SOS Children’s Village today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge smile during a visit to SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tell a story as they meet with youngsters at the SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge talk to staff as they visit the SOS Children’s Village organisation in Lahore today
The Children’s Village in Lahore has been running since 1977 and provides a home for 150 children
Kate is presented with flowers during the royal visit to the SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess visit the SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today to meet local orphan girls and boys
Britain’s Prince William looks closer at flowers he and the Duchess of Cambridge are given at SOS Children’s Village today
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks animatedly during a visit to SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The Duchess of Cambridge waves during a visit to SOS Children’s Village in Lahore today
The Duchess was also wearing Asprey’s Woodland Oak Leaf hoop earrings.
Later, at the state-of-the-art cancer facility located in the centre of Lahore, they will visit the children’s ward to spend time with patients undergoing treatment at the hospital, and will speak to a number of their families.
The hospital was built by the now Pakistani Prime Minister, former cricketer Imran Khan, in memory of his late mother who died from cancer in 1985.
During his mother’s illness, he witnessed the plight of poor cancer patients in his country’s hospitals and vowed to build a facility that would be accessible to all, regardless of the status.
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are greeted at Lahore Airport in Pakistan this morning by officials and a posy of flowers
Kate kept her husband, Prince William, waiting for a few moments before they stepped off their official Voyager plane today
The royal couple smile as they are greeted by the welcome party at Lahore this morning before going into the airport terminal
The couple are having a private meeting with the Governor of Lahore, and the Duchess looked ethereal in ivory as she arrived
Kate wears a shalwar kameez by Gul Ahmed and a shawl by Maheem Khan as she steps off the plane at Lahore Airport today
Kate and William walk along the red carpet in Lahore after their arrival this morning as the royal visit to Pakistan continues
The Duchess of Cambridge receives a salute as she gets off the RAF Voyager plane at Lahore Airport in Pakistan today
The Duchess gets off the plane today before she and William held a private meeting with the Governor of Lahore
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Lahore Airport today on the fourth day of their royal tour of Pakistan
Kate steps onto the red carpet in Lahore today wearing a shalwar kameez by Gul Ahmed and a shawl by Maheem Khan
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Lahore Airport during their tour of Pakistan today to meet the city’s governor
The royal couple appear to share a joke as they walk down the steps from the plane at Lahore Airport this morning
The couple travelled on the RAF Voyager to the capital of Punjab today to continue their royal tour of Pakistan
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge walk at Lahore Airport in Pakistan today following their arrival this morning
Kate wore a white shalwar kameez – a traditional outfit of a long tunic and trousers – by Gul Ahmed, in Lahore today
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive in Lahore this morning for the fourth day of their Pakistan royal tour
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge appear in good spirits today as they get off the plane in Lahore
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive at Lahore Airport today to meet the city’s governor during their royal tour
Prince William and Kate are given a red carpet welcome at Lahore Airport in Pakistan this morning during their royal tour
The royal couple arrive in Lahore today on the British Government’s Voyager aircraft which has been supplied by the RAF
The centre opened its doors in 1994 and in February 1996, 18 months before her tragic death, Diana, Princess of Wales visited accompanied by Mr Khan and his former wife, Jemima Goldsmith, a close friend of the royal.
Diana was on a private visit to Pakistan to raise funds for the hospital – as well as meet the family of her great love, Pakistani heart surgeon Hasnat Khan – but had been advised not to undertake the trip due to political tensions with the UK.
She was movingly photographed cradling a young patient receiving cancer treatment at the time, which she later cited as one of her most cherished images.
The couple will also undertake a variety of other engagements across Lahore, known widely across Pakistan as the country’s city of culture.
Princess Diana, seen here on her February 1996 visit, said she cherished photos of her with children at the hospital
Jemima Khan watches on as Princess Diana comforts a young cancer patient in this iconic image from her May 1997 visit
The Princess of Wales visited the Shaukat Khanum Memorial Cancer Hospital twice in the 18 months before her death in 1997
The hospital was founded by former international cricketer Imran Khan, now the Pakistani Prime Minister. Khan, pictured left, is seen here with his then wife Jemima and Diana on her visit in 1996
Jemima, now Jemima Goldsmith, watches on with her then-husband Imran Khan during Diana’s visit to the hospital in 1996
Imran Khan, left, founded the hospital in memory of his mother Shaukat Khanum, who died form cancer in 1985. He is pictured outside its imposing buildings with then-wife Jemima, now Jemima Goldsmith, and Princess Diana in May 1997
Diana said she valued the photographs of her with the children at the Pakistani hospital as fondly as any. Here she talks to a young patient during her two-day Lahore visit in February 1996
Diana visited the hospital for a second time in May 1997, just weeks before her death that August. She is pictured arriving and with a young patient
Diana comforting children during her visit to the hospital in 1997. It was founded by Imran Khan in memory of his own mother, who died from cancer in 1985
Diana was in her element showing off her maternal side as she cuddled and comforted sick children during her final visit to the hospital in May 1997