Highlights from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s maiden visit to India

Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton started their first visit to India by paying homage to the victims of the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks.

Landing in the metropolis just before noon on their seven-day tour of India and Bhutan, the royal couple went to Hotel Taj Mahal Palace, where they were accorded a ceremonial welcome.

Shortly thereafter, the royal couple paid homage to the victims of the Mumbai terror attacks by laying a wreath at the 26/11 memorial at the hotel, where they will stay during their Mumbai trip.

They interacted with the staff who witnessed the attack by 10 Pakistani terrorists in November 2008.

The iconic hotel stands just opposite the historic Gateway of India, built to commemorate the visit of their illustrious ancestor, King George V and Queen Mary in 1911.

In the evening, Prince William and Kate attended a gala charity reception and dinner for raising funds for various NGOs, in the presence of some of the top names in Indian business and Bollywood.

British royals meet young entrepreneurs, write in Braille

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton, wrapped up their two-day Mumbai trip by interacting with budding young Indian entrepreneurs on Monday, April 11.

They arrived for the Young Entrepreneurs Event at The Social, a cafe which is also a collaborative workspace for emerging business talents.

At the event, they launched the Tech Rocketships Awards and called upon young Indian entrepreneurs and start-ups to "go global", and listened attentively to their start-up ideas and enterprises.

"Being here today, it is clear that India is leading the way in so many areas of innovation and technology," Prince William lauded the entrepreneurial spirit of the gathering.

During the interaction with entrepreneurs, both Prince William and Kate tied blindfolds and experienced how to type in Braille, typing the word 'George' as the gathering cheered and clapped.


A visit to the Delhi monuments

Prince William and Kate Middleton visited Gandhi Smriti and paid tributes to Mahatma Gandhi who fell to an assassin's bullets in 1948. Prince William later said Queen Elizabeth II was fond of India and it was "enormously important" to her.

The British royals arrived at Gandhi Smriti on Tees January Marg after laying a wreath at the Amar Jawan Jyoti—the eternal flame memorial dedicated to the 'Unknown Soldier'—at India Gate.

They visited Gandhi's memorial and paid tributes at the Martyr's Column—the spot where Gandhi was assassinated.

The couple was accorded a traditional welcome with a stole each of hand-spun khadi and were shown around the museum, which houses articles related to the Father of the Nation.

They later attended an official garden party reception at the British High Commissioner's official residence to celebrate the Queen's 90th birthday.

Speaking at the reception, Prince William said the queen was very fond of India, the biggest country in the Commonwealth.

"Tonight, we are celebrating the links between our two countries. This is the first time Catherine and I have been to India and we have been incredibly impressed to see just how much this great country is on the move, and how India's dynamism is matched by the warmth and welcome of its diverse people," he said.

Modi hosts lunch

On Tuesday, April 13, Prime Minister Narendra Modi lunch for Prince William and Kate Middleton.

“A royal summer in Delhi! PM @narendramodi receives the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Hyderabad House,” external affairs ministry spokesman Vikas Swarup tweeted along with pictures of Modi with Prince William and Kate.

During his visit to Britain in November last year, Modi was hosted to a lunch banquet by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge left for Assam later on Tuesday where they visited the Kaziranga National Park, a Unesco World Heritage Site.