For some, it's an honour and a dream come true to meet Prince William and Kate. But actress Kareena Kapoor, who is one of Bollywood's most popular and highest-paid stars, has had to turn down the opportunity.
Kareena was invited to attend a reception and dinner in her native Mumbai in honour of the British royals on Sunday. But The Hindustan Times reports that the actress will not be attending because her husband Saif Ali Khan, who is also an actor, cannot make the function.
"Kareena has confided in her friends that since Saif is shooting and won't be able to make it to the royal reception, she also does not want to attend," a source said. "Despite being approached by the authorities repeatedly, she does not want to go alone."
© Photo: RexKareena Kapoor is one of Bollywood's most popular and highest-paid stars
The event in Mumbai will be held on William and Kate's first night in India. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will arrive on Sunday morning and their final engagement of the day will be the glittering reception and dinner held in their honour to celebrate Mumbai's film and creative industries.
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The occasion will include red carpet arrivals and dance and musical performances. It will raise funds for three charities that William and Kate will have learnt about earlier in the day – Magic Bus, Doorstep, and Childline.
A Kensington Palace spokesperson said in a statement: "The Duke and Duchess are pleased that this event will raise funds that will create a small legacy of their visit to India."
© Photo: Getty ImagesPrince William and Kate will arrive in India on Sunday
This will be William and Kate's first visit to India. Highlights of their trip will include visiting a national park, meeting local children and charities and attending a birthday party for the Queen.
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They will also follow in the footsteps of Diana, Princess of Wales and take a tour of the Taj Mahal – the landmark where Diana was famously pictured reflecting on a solo engagement without her husband Prince Charles.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe Cambridges will also visit Bhutan for two days
William, 33, and Kate, 34, will spend four days in India followed by two in Bhutan, where they will meet the King and Queen who have been dubbed the "William and Kate of the Himalayas".
The Cambridges will then return to India for one day before flying back home to their children Prince George and Princess Charlotte.
