Britain's Prince William and wife Kate Middleton will undertake their first official visit to Bhutan in the early half of this year.
London:
Britain's Prince William and wife Kate Middleton will undertake their first official visit to Bhutan in the early half of this year, after their maiden trip to India, Kensington Palace announced on Friday.
The visit announced by Kensington Palace for spring, could take place any time between March end and mid-June.
It is expected to take place right after their visit to India, which was also announced for spring this year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit in last November.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make an official visit to Bhutan this spring. The visit is being carried out at the request of Her Majesty's Government and will be the first time their Royal Highnesses have visited the country," a Kensington Palace statement said.
According to reports, the royal couple, both aged 33, are unlikely to take their children - Prince George and Princess Charlotte - with them on the South Asian tour.
While visiting the country, William and Kate will meet Bhutan's King and Queen, who got married in 2011.
Bhutan's 35-year-old head of state, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, succeeded his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 2006 after his abdication.
The change of leadership was part of a democratising process and two years later the first parliamentary elections were held in the kingdom.
The Oxford-educated King's wife, Jetsun Pema, is expecting their first child early this year.
Previous royal visits to Bhutan include a visit by William's uncle Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in 2010, and by his father Prince Charles in 1998.
William and Kate's India visit had been announced on November 13, the day Modi met Queen Elizabeth II over tea at Buckingham Palace.
While no further details of the visit have been released yet, the Taj Mahal is reportedly a confirmed stop on their itinerary.
During the same spring period this year, William's brother Prince Harry will also make a visit to the South Asian neighbourhood with a visit to Nepal.
The visit announced by Kensington Palace for spring, could take place any time between March end and mid-June.
It is expected to take place right after their visit to India, which was also announced for spring this year during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UK visit in last November.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will make an official visit to Bhutan this spring. The visit is being carried out at the request of Her Majesty's Government and will be the first time their Royal Highnesses have visited the country," a Kensington Palace statement said.
According to reports, the royal couple, both aged 33, are unlikely to take their children - Prince George and Princess Charlotte - with them on the South Asian tour.
While visiting the country, William and Kate will meet Bhutan's King and Queen, who got married in 2011.
Bhutan's 35-year-old head of state, King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, succeeded his father Jigme Singye Wangchuck in 2006 after his abdication.
The change of leadership was part of a democratising process and two years later the first parliamentary elections were held in the kingdom.
The Oxford-educated King's wife, Jetsun Pema, is expecting their first child early this year.
Previous royal visits to Bhutan include a visit by William's uncle Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, in 2010, and by his father Prince Charles in 1998.
William and Kate's India visit had been announced on November 13, the day Modi met Queen Elizabeth II over tea at Buckingham Palace.
While no further details of the visit have been released yet, the Taj Mahal is reportedly a confirmed stop on their itinerary.
During the same spring period this year, William's brother Prince Harry will also make a visit to the South Asian neighbourhood with a visit to Nepal.
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