New Delhi: The Duke & Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton landed in Mumbai today on a seven-day tour of India and Bhutan. The visit builds on the strong bonds between the two countries, British High Commission (BHC) said today.
In a release, BHC said, "While in India they will experience the four passions which unite the country - cricket, Bollywood, politics and family".
The royal couple are staying at the Taj Mahal Palace, which opened for them with a great reception.
After reaching there the couple laid a wreath in respect of those who were killed in 26/11 terror attack. 31 staff and guests were killed in the attack when the hotel was stormed by terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba in 2008. It was one of 12 coordinated attacks carried out over four days across Mumbai that killed 164 people and injured 308.
As per the itinerary of royal couple’s visit, the two will head to the Oval Maidan today to watch and take part in a cricket match between beneficiaries and representatives of three charities based in Mumbai - Magic Bus, Doorstep, and India's Childline.
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In the evening, they will attend a glittering reception and dinner alongside some of the biggest names in business and Bollywood, to celebrate Mumbai's film and creative industries.
The further schedule of the royal couple involves visit to Delhi, Assam’s Kaziranga Park and Taj Mahal in Agra in the coming days. Their visit to the Taj Mahal is seen with great enthusiasm as Prince Williams’s mother Diana too visited the historical monument 24 years ago.
In the release British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith said, "The Duke and Duchess are most excited about their first visit to India, and we hope this visit will mark the start of a long friendship between them and this magnificent and diverse country.”
"This will be the one of the most ambitious tours their Royal Highnesses have ever undertaken and promises to be the most colourful tour to date," he was quoted saying in the release.
