Wednesday 13 April 2016

Royal Visit India, Day Four - Kate on safari (Updated)

It was back to nature for William and Kate on day four of their tour of India as they visited Kaziranga National Park in Assam. There was a chance to see the wildlife and to meet some of those who help protect it, one of the Duke of Cambridge's biggest passions in life.


The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Kaziranga National Park on April 14th

The couple had arrived at the park the night before when their welcome had included dancing and singing. This morning things were a bit quieter but still designed to bring the beauty of the park to life for the visitors.



William and Kate headed off on a wildlife drive - we're told they spotted rhino, water buffalo and swamp deer during their trip.



There were some great photos from this part of the trip and the two looked particularly loved up as they enjoyed Kaziranga.


 
Today has easily been the most relaxed part of Kate and William's tour so far and a day they really seem to be making the most of.

 




Given that William said in a speech at the start of the tour that Kate had wanted to visit India since the day they got married, it's perhaps not surprising that his part of the visit seems to have been a highlight for both of them. 



There is a serious side, too. There was also a chance to stop and chat with rangers looking after the animals in the park and hear about their work to protect them from poaching.



And then it was off to Panbari village where they were promised another very big welcome.






The village sits on the edge of the lark and its rural and isolated location presents its own challenges, William and Kate spoke to people living there about their way of life and how it was impacted by living so close to such a huge expanse of nature and wildlife.  Day four also included a chance to talk to families who have recently moved away from the elephant corridor in the park.





And then it was time for one of the photos of the tour. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge headed to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation to carry on the day's theme of learning more about protecting wildlife. And to provide everyone with a photo of Kate giving a baby elephant some milk.  Royal tours are made for photos like this.




The end of day four brought them a step closer to home, thousands of miles away from it. William and Kate helped in the preparations for Elephant Parade India which is part of Elephant Parade, a wildlife charity which counts both the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall as its royal patrons and which was set up by Camilla's late brother, Mark Shand.

William and Kate added their artwork to a blue statue of an elephant which will be one of 200 set up around India to help raise money and awareness. It was the end of part one of Royal Visit India - as of tomorrow it's Royal Visit Bhutan with plenty more to come.

There is also a page all about William and Kate in India and Bhutan here.
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