The Bollywood celebrities met Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate, at a star- studded gathering at the Taj, in Mumbai. The royal couple awed everyone at the gathering, which had Shahrukh Khan, Ashwariya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dixit Nene, Sonam Kapoor, Alia, Parineeti, Rishi Kapoor, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Farhan Akhtar, among many others.
The Duke and Duchess, also went to the individual tables and interacted with the celebrities.
They also had a chat with cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, music composer Shankar Mahadevan, actress Aditi Rao Hydari, politician Priya Dutt, actress Huma Qureshi and designer Manish Malhotra.
Speaking at the event, Prince William on Sunday said his wife Kate Middleton wanted to visit India ever since they got married. “It has been a wonderful and colourful evening. It has been a real treat to be welcomed to India in this way… When Catherine and I got married, India was the first place in her list which she told me she wanted to visit. Two children and five years later we finally made it and we are quite honoured to be here,” he said.
The 33-year-old Prince said the relationship between England and India has evolved over the years but his family’s regard for the country has remained unchanged. “It seems fitting that we start our journey from here… A short distance from the Gateway of India where so many people including my great great grandfather had come,” William said at the Bollywood gala night at the iconic Taj Palace Hotel here.
My family has a long and proud connection with #India: Duke of Cambridge https://t.co/5wbW3ipc0v #RoyalVisitIndia pic.twitter.com/axoZLQvJHu
— UK in India (@UKinIndia) April 10, 2016
“Catherine and I embarked on a journey to get to know the vibrant India in the 21st century. We are so pleased that tonight’s event will raise considerable sums for three Indian charities, working to overcome severe problems…” he said.
Heaping praise on India’s culture and traditions, William said, “On a personal level, Catherine and I are full of admiration for this diverse and democratic society. No one can come here without being awed and amazed, without a sense of excitement for all that India has achieved in the past and the extraordinary promise it holds for the future.” He concluded his speech by saying, “Bahut dhanyawad (many many thanks).”
By: Archa Dave
