Kate Middleton wears a blue shalwar kameez and Pakistani designer as royal tour begins

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are in Pakistan for a 'complex' five-day official visit

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge arrive at Kur Khan airbase ahead of their royal tour of Pakistan on October 14, 2019 in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. Getty Images

The royal chose a shalwar kameez to arrive in Pakistan. The design is by British label, Catherine Walker. Reuters

The royal couple landed on the evening on Monday, October 14. EPA

The royals were greeted by Pakistan's foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and his wife, Mehriene Qureshi. EPA

The Duchess of Cambridge chose earrings and a handbag by Pakistani designer Zeen. EPA

Fashion experts have predicted that the duchess will make a number of sartorial nods to the country during her visit. Getty Images

The shalwar kameez is worn by both men and women in a number of central and south Asian countries. EPA

Like the Duchess of Cambridge, both Princess Diana and Camilla, Duchess fo Cornwall, have chosen to wear shalwar kameez designs during their past visits to Pakitsan. EPA

The duchess was handed flowers as she arrived in Pakistan. Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge landed in Pakistan for their five-day royal tour on Monday, October 14. To kick off the visit, the duchess wore an ombre blue shalwar kameez, which is the traditional dress of the South Asian country.

The bespoke two-piece set was designed by British brand, Catherine Walker, a favourite of the royal's. She accessorised the look with nude Rupert Sanderson heels and Zeen earrings and a clutch bag.

Although she wore a shalwar kameez and shoes by British designers for her arrival, her accessories were sourced from an affordable Pakistani brand, Zeen.

The faux leather clutch bag retails at $29 (Dh107), and her earrings cost $10.

Fittingly, Zeen comes under the parent company Cambridge, which launched in Pakistan in 1973 as a menswear brand. In 2014 the company started selling womenswear under the label Zeen.

As well choosing traditional Pakistani dress, it is thought that the decision to wear a blue shalwar kameez is a sartorial nod to Prince William's mother, Princess Diana.

During the late royal's visit to Pakistan in 1996, she too wore a light blue shalwar kameez.

The couple were greeted by Pakistan foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi, and his wife, Mehriene Qureshi, as they arrived Islamabad's Pakistani Air Force Base Nur Khan. They are scheduled to be in Pakistan until Friday, October 18. It is their first official visit to the country.

Ahead of their visit, details from their busy itinerary were announced, and it has been revealed that the royals will tour over 1,000 kilometres of the country, ranging from the capital, Islamabad, stopping off in Lahore and the western border regions, with a visit to the countryside in the north.

Kensington Palace has described the visit as "the most complex tour undertaken by The Duke and Duchess to date", but have said that the couple wants to "learn more about the challenges and opportunities [in Pakistan], both of the past and today."

They added that the Cambridges, who have not brought their three children on the visit "will visit programmes which empower young people, and organisations that help ensure they have the best possible start in life.

"Access to quality education, particularly to girls and young women is one of the UK’s top priorities in Pakistan. The Duke and Duchess are looking forward to spending time meeting young Pakistanis, and hearing more about their aspirations for the future."