Everybody’s favourite Royal couple, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, finally visited their “Dukedom” this week with a visit to Cambridge. (Featured image is by Brian Gratwicke)
It’s hard to believe that William and Kate haven’t visited the historic city until now, having held their title for more than a year-and-a-half. Obviously, they are a very busy couple, with Wills still in the RAF and Kate coping with the eyes of the world on her at all times. However, they managed to squeeze in a visit this week and caught the train from Kings Cross yesterday morning (Wednesday).
The Royal couple were greeted at Cambridge Station by the Lord Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire, before taking a tour around the city.
“The thing for Cambridge is this day is going to be in people’s memories for the rest of their lives. In 50 and 60 years people are going to be telling their grandchildren about it,” said Cambridge mayor Sheila Stuart.
The visit is part of a busy pre-Christmas schedule for the Royal couple, with more visits, speeches and events to undertake.
But the pair are used to it, and have already done their fair share of Royal visits and tours in their relatively short careers as the world’s best-loved couple. So, where have the Duke and Duchess been so far?
Canada
William and Kate’s first official overseas tour took place just a couple of months after they got married, in July last year.
The newlyweds embarked on a nine-day tour of Canada, attracting thousands of well-wishers onto the streets to catch a glimpse of them.
They threw themselves wholeheartedly into the tour, joining in with Canada Day celebrations in Ottawa before taking part in a dragon boat race on Prince Edward Island.
USA
After the Canadian tour, in which William demonstrated his piloting skills with a tricky helicopter landing directly on water, it was off to the US for a whirlwind three-day visit.
Obviously fitting in the whole of the US in just three days would be a challenge, so the couple opted to stay in California this time around.
The US tour was all about raising awareness, and the couple visited an inner-city arts centre in LA, as well as a school for poor children, before attending a fundraiser for veterans.
Singapore
After the excitement of the Olympic Games in London, in which both Wills and Kate attended a number of events, it was on to yet another tour – starting in Singapore.
The tour was part of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, and saw the Duke and Duchess visit the country’s Botanic Gardens and meet with the President of Singapore.
At the Botanic Gardens, the couple saw an orchid which was named after them for the first time – the Vanda William Catherine.
Malaysia
After a three-day stay in Singapore it was off to the Malaysian city of Kuala Lumpur for another hectic few days.
This second leg was an important one for Kate, as she gave her first speech in a foreign country – speaking at a hospice in Kuala Lumpur.
The couple also attended a glitzy dinner at the King of Malaysia’s lavish palace, where Kate dazzled in an elegant gown.
Solomon Islands
After Kuala Lumpur, William and Kate headed to the Malaysian region of Borneo before making their way to Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands.
The couple certainly seemed to enjoy their time in the country after being greeted by hundreds of visitors during a very colourful welcome.
Once again they got fully stuck-in! William donned a colourful blue shirt, as is tradition, for a banquet while Kate ditched a dress she’d brought from London in favour of a colourful pink number given to her as a gift by locals.
