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Duke, Duchess of Cambridge meet Bhutan's King and Queen for first time

Xinhua, April 15, 2016 Adjust font size:

Following the Kensington Palace's announcement on Jan. 9, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton finally touched down in the tiny Himalayan country of Bhutan in the morning of April 14.

Looking rather stunning in a golden coatdress, the Duchess, who completed three-day visit to India with her husband Prince William, reached the Paro International airport at 10:56am. The King's sister Princess ChhimiYangzom Wangchuck welcomed the Royal Couple along with her husband and a team of delegates.

They are the first British Royals visiting Bhutan since the Prince of Wales, Prince Charles trip to the country in 1998. The Royal Couple's visit marks yet another historic moment for Bhutan. After a brief photo session at the airport, the two whisked off to the capital city of Thimphu.

Hundreds of people gathered at the airport and on the way to Thimphu to get the glimpse of the British Royal couple, whose visit has been much awaited. The arrival was also live broadcasted through two channels of the state owned television, Bhutan broadcasting services.

Shortly after arriving in Thimphu, Kate gave herself a slight traditional touch of Bhutanese, a blue Bhutanese hand woven-skirt teamed with white patterned shirt. The two were then welcomed to the historic Trashichodzong, with a grand traditional Buddhist ceremonial procession (Cipdrel), where they met King Jigme Khesar Namgyal Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema Wangchuck, who were in their usual traditional best.

Considering the similarities between the two Royal Couples, Bhutan's King and Queen were often dubbed as the himalayan Kate and William. The King and Queen of Bhutan hosted a private dinner to honour the British Royal couple at the Lingkana Palace. It was their first meet with the himalayan King and Queen although the relationship between the two countries existed since the time of first king.

While in Thimphu later in the afternoon, the Royal couple was taken towitness, a traditional archery at Changlimithang. The Duke and Duchess tried the traditional bow and arrow with much laughter and smiles on many happy faces watching them, when a sudden rainfall disrupted the enjoyment.The couple would also enjoy a private dinner with the King and Queen at Lingkana Palace.

The two-day-visit would complete with the Royal couple's hike to the majestic Taktsang monastery in Paro on Friday, which would happen following the visit to the school for children with disability and ability Bhutan society.

As per the Royal press release, it was three years ago when King and Queen of Bhutan visited the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at Clarence house. The King then invited the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to Bhutan. The Duke and Duchess also met with the Bhutanese students who are studying in Britain through British chevening scholarship.

In Bhutan, the couple was accompanied by British High Commissioner to India Sir Dominic Asquith and other senior officials of the British High Commission in New Delhi. Endit