kate william depart lahore© Photo: PA

Kate Middleton and Prince William forced to cancel engagement on final day of tour - all the photos

The couple's plane was caught in a storm

Online Royal CorrespondentLondon
Updated: October 18, 2019
© Photo: PA

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had to spend the night in Lahore after their plane RAF Voyager got caught in an electrical storm on Thursday night, forcing them to cancel one of their engagements in Khyber Pass on Friday morning. William and Kate flew back to Islamabad on Friday morning instead and visited the Army Canine Centre before their departure back to London.

William and Kate's aircraft had to abort its landing in Islamabad and was in the air for over two hours for what was supposed to be a 25 minute journey.  After the aircraft was unable to land at the Pakistani Royal Air Force base and a commercial airport, it turned back. William - a former air ambulance pilot - asked travelling media if they were okay following heavy turbulence, and joked: "I was flying!"

Kate also said she was "hugely grateful" to the RAF for landing the plane safely, adding: "We were looked after so wonderfully by the RAF who did a great job."

READ: Prince William's reaction to severe turbulence on royal tour flight was hilarious

© Photo: PA

The Duchess wore a black and white embroidered kurta by Pakistani brand Elan with white trousers, while the Duke looked smart-casual in navy trousers and a pale blue shirt to depart Lahore. 

MORE: Kate Middleton departs from Lahore Airport rocking the smartest travel bag ever

Kate also carried her Smythson Black Panama East West Zip tote bag, as she walked up the steps to the aircraft. 

Keep clicking to see more photos. 

© Photo: Getty Images

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving for their final engagement of their Pakistan tour. Kate wore a monochrome look, changing into a black longline jacket by Beulah London, with white trousers, a matching shawl and new Russell & Bromley flats. 

MORE: Kate Middleton looks fabulous in the dreamiest black flats at the Army Canine Centre

© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate visited Islamabad's Army Canine Centre, which is modelled on the UK’s Defence Animal Training Centre at Melton Mowbray. They joined dog handlers for a training session before taking some of the puppies through an agility activity. 

The UK has provided training and advice to the Pakistan Armed Forces for more than a decade and currently helps to breed and train dogs to identify explosives, by supporting the Pakistan Counter Improvised Explosive Device programme.

© Photo: Getty Images

Kate couldn't stop smiling as she and William helped to put the puppies through their paces during the training session. 

© Photo: Rex

The Cambridges are renowned dog lovers and have their own pet, an English Cocker Spaniel called Lupo. 

© Photo: Getty Images

The couple joined handlers as they trained the pups to recognise and scout out hidden explosive materials.

© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate took charge of two golden labrador puppies called Salto and Sky and they looked right at home! 

© Photo: Getty Images

During the engagement, Kate said she was "hugely grateful to everyone" involved in ensuring the safe landing of the RAF Voyager the royal couple was travelling on after it was caught in a thunderstorm.

"We were looked after so wonderfully by the RAF who did a great job," she said.

William and Kate saw their flight from Lahore to Islamabad turn back on Thursday evening, resulting in a change to the schedule for their final day in Pakistan.

© Photo: Getty Images

William spoke about the UK's relationship with Pakistan on the last day of his tour of the country.

He said: "I think it's really important that everyone back home in the UK realises that we have a far-ranging, far-reaching projection of what we're doing and we're involved with the Pakistanis for a very good reason. It will actually keep people safe back in the UK. What happens in Pakistan directly correlates to what happens back in the UK."

© Photo: Rex

And that's a wrap! After their final engagement, William and Kate boarded the plane to fly home to London to see their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. 

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