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


Farah Andrews
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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.

A closer look at the Duchess of Cambridge's earrings by Pakistani brand, Zeen, which she wore to arrive in Pakistan for a five-day royal visit. Getty Images
A closer look at the Duchess of Cambridge's earrings by Pakistani brand, Zeen, which she wore to arrive in Pakistan for a five-day royal visit. Getty Images

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.

Mehriene Qureshi; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Pakistan foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Pakistani Air Force Base Nur Khan, Islamabad. Getty Images
Mehriene Qureshi; Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge; Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Pakistan foreign minister, Shah Mehmood Qureshi at Pakistani Air Force Base Nur Khan, Islamabad. Getty Images

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."

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All matches at the Harare Sports Club

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  • 4th ODI, Sunday, April 16

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  • Zimbabwe: Peter Moor (captain), Solomon Mire, Brian Chari, Regis Chakabva, Sean Williams, Timycen Maruma, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Brandon Mavuta, Ainsley Ndlovu, Tony Munyonga, Elton Chigumbura
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A cryptocurrency primer for beginners

Cryptocurrency Investing  for Dummies – by Kiana Danial 

There are several primers for investing in cryptocurrencies available online, including e-books written by people whose credentials fall apart on the second page of your preferred search engine. 

Ms Danial is a finance coach and former currency analyst who writes for Nasdaq. Her broad-strokes primer (2019) breaks down investing in cryptocurrency into baby steps, while explaining the terms and technologies involved.

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Professor Wyn Evans, astrophysicist

Dr Mark Mann, scientist

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Marie Byrne, a counsellor who volunteers at the UAE government's mental health crisis helpline, said the ordeal the crew had been through would take time to overcome.

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Man of the Match: Adama Traore (Wolves)

While you're here

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'Young girls thinking of big ideas'

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“Most of us have this dream of opening a business,” said Afra, referring to her peers are “young girls thinking of big ideas.”

In the three-week class, pupils are challenged to come up with a business and develop an operational and marketing plan to support their idea. But, the learning goes far beyond sales and branding, said teacher Sonia Elhaj.

“It’s not only about starting up a business, it’s all the meta skills that goes with it -- building self confidence, communication,” said Ms Elhaj. “It’s a way to coach them and to harness ideas and to allow them to be creative. They are really hungry to do this and be heard. They are so happy to be actually doing something, to be engaged in creating something new, not only sitting and listening and getting new information and new knowledge. Now they are applying that knowledge.”

Afra’s team decided to focus their business idea on a restaurant modelled after the Leaning Tower of Pisa. Each level would have a different international cuisine and all the meat would be halal. The pupils thought of this after discussing a common problem they face when travelling abroad.

“Sometimes we find the struggle of finding halal food, so we just eat fish and cheese, so it’s hard for us to spend 20 days with fish and cheese,” said Afra. “So we made this tower so every person who comes – from Africa, from America – they will find the right food to eat.”

rpennington@thenational.ae

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Saturday: Final practice - 2pm; Qualifying - 5pm

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HIJRA

Starring: Lamar Faden, Khairiah Nathmy, Nawaf Al-Dhufairy

Director: Shahad Ameen

Rating: 3/5

The Old Slave and the Mastiff

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Translated from the French and Creole by Linda Coverdale