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kate william kalash© Photo: Getty Images

Prince William and Kate Middleton visit spectacular glacier and Kalash village in Pakistan – best photos

The Duke and Duchess continue with their tour

Ainhoa Barcelona
Content Managing Editor
Updated: October 16, 2019
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prince william kate glacier visit© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge travelled to northern Pakistan for the third day of their royal tour, visiting the Chitral district of the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, where Princess Diana travelled on her 1991 solo tour of the country. William and Kate began their day at the stunning Broghil National Park where they walked around the tip of a glacier and were able to see how it has retreated as a result of climate change. Kensington Palace said the eco-conscious royals were hoping to "shine a light on the very real consequences of global warming and its devastating effects on our planet."

William and Kate listened as an expert explained how climate change is impacting the glacial landscapes. Later on Wednesday, they travelled to a nearby valley in the centre of Chitral, where isolated communities have suffered from severe flash flooding in recent years as a result of nearby glaciers melting. They saw buildings and farmland destroyed in the severe floods of 2015 and heard from locals who were affected. Their final stop was at a Kalash village to learn about their unique culture and what a welcome the couple were given! Let's take a look at photos from day three of the tour…

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prince willim arriving glacier© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess touched down at Chitral airport on Wednesday, where they were given a very warm welcome. They were presented with a book that featured photos of Princess Diana's visit to the area in 1991, as well as embroidered coats.

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kate middleton coat© Photo: Getty Images

The Duchess opted for an autumnal look, wearing a midi brown skirt with a dark brown top and waistcoat by Really Wild. She had her hair styled halfway up, and kept her makeup natural and simple.

kate middleton putting on hat© Photo: Getty Images

Kate was gifted a shawl to keep her warm during the glacial visit, and a striking hat with peacock feathers. When Diana visited in the nineties, she was also given a feathered cap.

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princess diana pakistan visit© Photo: Getty Images

During her visit in 1991, Princess Diana was made an honorary member of the Chitral Scouts' elite corps, posing for photographs wearing a regimental embroidered coat and feathered cap they presented her with.

kate william glacier© Photo: PA

The royals then boarded their helicopter again to travel to the breathtaking Broghil National Park. The park is situated in the Chitral District of Pakistan's Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Province, close to the Afghan border. The mountainous province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has been plagued by militant activity in recent years and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office advises against all travel to some areas and all but essential travel to other parts around Chitral.

kate william glacier3© Photo: PA

The royals were introduced to Pakistani hydrometeorologist and glacier expert, Dr Furrukh Bashir of the Pakistan Meteorological Department. They were given a detailed briefing on glacial melting, climate change and its causes and implications.

kate william glacier2© Photo: PA

William and Kate, who had never seen a melting glacier in person, then walked around the northern tip of the remote Chiatibo Glacier, and saw how it has retreated in recent years as a result of global warming. 

kate william safety drill© Photo: Getty Images

From the glacier, the Duke and Duchess travelled to a nearby valley in the centre of Chitral, where isolated communities have suffered from severe flash flooding in recent years as a result of nearby glaciers melting. William and Kate met locals who were affected by the severe floods of 2015 and witnessed a drill conducted by volunteers from the local Emergency Response Team – now supported by UK aid. 

kate william village© Photo: Getty Images

Before they departed the district, William and Kate visited a settlement of the Kalash people to learn about their community, heritage and traditions. 

kate william headpiece© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess were both given traditional headwear upon arrival and were caught gazing into each other's eyes. 

kate middleton headpiece© Photo: Getty Images

Kate, wearing gold earrings by Missoma, said she had "been very impressed by William's geography," while visiting the glacier earlier in the day. The Prince graduated from St Andrews University in 2005 with a 2:1 in his geography degree. 

The Duke said: "Dr Warren my geography teacher would be well impressed that I'm back at a glacier after all these years."

kate middleton village children© Photo: Getty Images

Kate and William took time to meet as many people as they could during their visit to the village. The Kalash community are considered to be Pakistan's smallest ethnoreligious group and have their own unique culture. 

kate william village crowd© Photo: Getty Images

The couple watched a stunning and colourful celebration from the Kalash people in the village square. 

kate kalash laugh© Photo: Getty Images

Kate clapped and cheered as the couple received a colourful welcome to the village. 

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