The Taj Mahal hotel in Mumbai worked through the night to prepare for their famous guests – dubbed “WillKat” by The Times of India – who arrived on a scheduled flight from London earlier today.
In preparation for the royal arrival, the hotel rolled out its red carpet and lined it with three rows of yellow and gold marigolds.
This floral theme is continued throughout the grand hotel, which is full of fabulous displays of marigolds and roses.
Above the welcome entrance for the royal couple are golden floral canopies made from thousands of marigolds while inside, eager staff loaded up with garlands of soft, cool marigolds for Kate and William.
When they arrived, they did not disappoint. The Duchess blended Indian colour with British couture, choosing an Alexander McQueen dress for her arrival in Mumbai.
She is expected to showcase a number of Indian designers with her choice of outfits during the couple’s week-long tour of India and Bhutan, but she played it safe with one of her favourite fashion houses for the country’s first sight of her.
Her red, Indian-themed outfit with a shirt split at the front over a black underskirt, borrowed heavily from Asian tradition, while the Duke opted for a navy blue suit.
Soon after their arrival, the couple enjoyed their first meal, prepared by Mr Deora at the Taj Mahal hotel Mumbai. He cooked the Duke and Duchess a starter of vegetable kebabs and main courses including lentil curry with rice, ricotta cheese and okra.
He said: “It is all vegetarian because I was told that was what they preferred.”
Like many visitors to India it is likely the couple is avoiding meat to guard against food poisoning.
The Weekly’s Juliet Rieden in the royal couple’s hotel.
