The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Mumbai to kick off their week-long tour of India and Bhutan. Prince William and Kate's British Airways flight touched down at Mumbai airport at around 11am local time.
The royal couple arrived at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel and were given frangipani and rose garlands before briefly visiting their hotel room with their ten-person entourage.
© Photo: PAThe couple looked refreshed as they arrived at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel
The Duke and Duchess looked alert despite their nine-hour flight from London to Mumbai. While William dressed smartly in a plain navy suit and spotted tie, Kate looked stylish in a bespoke paisley patterned peplum dress by Alexander McQueen with Gianvito Rossi cream heels. The Duchess is expected to wear a number of Indian designers over her week-long stay, and her silk dress with long sleeves by the British designer borrowed heavily from Asian tradition.
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They then paid tribute to those who died in the 2008 terror attacks, and laid a wreath of white flowers at the hotel's memorial. They included a note on the wreath signed by both William and Kate which read: "In memory of those who lost their lives and those injured in the senseless atrocities at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel. William, Catherine."
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple laid a wreath in tribute to those who lost their lives in the 2008 terror attacks
William spoke to staff at the hotel who were present during the terrorist attack in 2008, and praised the hotel's security manager, who called the police and security services, for his quick-thinking. He said: "You're very brave, you saved a lot of lives. Well done."
The couple also spoke to hotel chef Raghu Deora, who was shot during the attacks. While William asked him to explain what happened on the day of the attacks, Kate said: "It must have been a surreal time."
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Before continuing their tour, the couple will enjoy a private lunch of vegetable kebabs and lentil curry made by the Taj Mahal Palace chef, Raghu Deora. The chef revealed that the couple particularly enjoy vegetarian food, saying: "It is all vegetarian because I was told that was what they preferred."
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe couple with be travelling through India and Bhutan over the next week
They will then be meeting the children from charities Magic Bus, Childline and Doorstep before watching a game of cricket and travelling to Banganga Water Tank to meet SMILE, an organisation supporting local enterprises.
Prince William and Kate will close their busy first day in India with an elegant Bollywood gala, complete with a red carpet, dinner reception and Bollywood performances.
