The royal visit: Prince William, Kate to participate in cricket match in Mumbai

Mumbai: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will participate in a cricket match between beneficiaries and representatives of three charity organisations at Oval Maidan here on first day of their tour beginning Sunday. Prince William and Kate Middleton, who will commence their seven-day tour of India and Bhutan on 10 April in Mumbai, will head to Oval Maidan to watch and take part in a cricket match between beneficiaries and representatives of three charities based in Mumbai, namely Magic Bus, Doorstep, and India’s Childline. The tour, announced during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the UK late last year, is aimed at building on the strong bonds between the two countries. [caption id=“attachment_2719828” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  A file photo of Kate and William. AP[/caption] While in India they will experience the four passions which unite the country — cricket, Bollywood, politics and family, an official release stated here today. On Sunday evening, they will attend a glittering reception and dinner alongside some of the biggest names in business and Bollywood, to celebrate Mumbai’s film and creative industries. The reception is being hosted by the British High Commission in partnership with the British Asian Trust, of which The Prince of Wales is founder and president. On Monday, the royal couple will make their way to Delhi, where they will pay respect to India’s military contributions, honour the memory of Mahatma Gandhi, and also get to know the men and women who lead the country in government and politics. “The Duke and Duchess are most excited about their first visit to India, and we hope this visit will mark the start of a long friendship between them and this magnificent and diverse country,” the release quoted the British High Commissioner to India, Sir Dominic Asquith KCMG, as saying. They are embarking on a packed, varied and exciting programme where they will gain an understanding of modern India, a vibrant, entrepreneurial, aspirational nation that faces both its challenges and huge opportunities with confidence. This will be the one of the most ambitious tours the Royal Highnesses have ever undertaken and promises to be the most colourful tour to date. It will cover five distinct locations over six days across four regions of India and a visit to the remote and beautiful Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan, it said.