Prince William and Kate Middleton, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, reached Assam on Tuesday, after attending a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi and his wife received the royal couple as they arrive at Tezpur Airport on a two-day visit to Assam. Photograph: PTI Photo
The royals enjoyed an evening around campfire at Assam’s Kaziranga national park on Tuesday as local artistes performed folk dance to mark the end of harvest season.
The royal couple received a warm welcome at the national park, which is home to the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinos, as young men and women danced to foot-tapping music.
The local artistes performed Assam’s traditional dance forms of Bihu and Jhumur, holding each other's waist and moving hands and legs forward and backward synchronously. Photograph: PTI Photo
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge interacted with the artistes after their soulful performance by the campfire. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
Prince William was also seen trying his hand at a bamboo-made musical instrument called Gogona. Photograph: PTI Photo
The royal couple’s visit comes a day ahead of Bihu, which marks the beginning of Assamese New Year and signifies the time of harvest. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters
They will enjoy safari inside the Park on Wednesday and visit a centre for Wildlife rehabilitation and conservation.
