Prince William and Kate Middleton’s visit to India and Bhutan: What we know so far

William and Kate are leaving the kids behind for a week to see the sights of India and visit the secretive kingdom of Bhutan this spring.
With Prince George and Princess Charlotte in good hands at home they will get to sample some of the Asian countries’ most stunning scenery, cuisine and activities all in the name of important diplomatic relations.
After the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's previous tours of Canada and the USA in 2011, the Far East in 2012 and Australia and New Zealand in 2014 , this is sure to be another royal tour to remember.
Here’s what we know about the visit so far.

Royal aides and security have been to India and Bhutan on a recce to plan the trip but so far few specific details have leaked. The itinerary for the tour is likely to be released around a month in advance of the visit.
One thing we do know however, is that they hope to make a visit to the Taj Mahal, following in Diana’s footsteps when she went there alone in 1992 nine months before she and Charles announced their separation.

Royal aides and security have been to India and Bhutan on a recce to plan the trip but so far few specific details have leaked. The itinerary for the tour is likely to be released around a month in advance of the visit.
One thing we do know however, is that they hope to make a visit to the Taj Mahal, following in Diana’s footsteps when she went there alone in 1992 nine months before she and Charles announced their separation.

Its hereditary Monarchy has been in power since 1907 but the country became a Parliamentary Democracy after elections in 2008.
It has a population of 770,000, a life expectancy of 68 and the currency is the Bhutanese ngultrum.
The capital Thimphu does not have any traffic lights, with police directing traffic instead.

When are they going?

Kensington Palace has officially said they are going in April and it is expected the trip will take place in the middle of the month so they will be back in the UK before the Queen’s 90th birthday on April 21.
And of course they want to be at home together as a family to celebrate Princess Charlotte’s first birthday on May 2.

As with all royal tours there will be a lot of schmoozing top brass and posing with other royals and dignitaries but they will also meet ordinary members of the public.
In Bhutan they will be hosted by Dragon King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuk - who became king in 2006 - and his wife Queen Jetsun Pema.
The couple have just celebrated the arrival of their baby boy who was born in the grounds of their Lingkana Palace on February 5.
In India they will be welcomed by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi , who had lunch with the Queen and Buckingham Palace when he visited the UK last November.
They will also be welcomed by Indian President Pranab Mukherjee who has been President since 2012 and resides in New Delhi.

What should William and Kate see in India and Bhutan? Tell us in the comments section below

Are Prince George and Princess Charlotte going?

Nope. While they took George to Australia and New Zealand in 2014 when he was nine months, the couple do not plan on making a habit of taking their children on royal tours.
The trip Down Under was an exception because they were going so far for so long and he was very young.
Most trips from now on will be no longer than a week or so, meaning the kids can be left in the capable hands of their Spanish nanny Maria Borrallo who will have help from other staff and both families especially Kate’s mum Carole.
If nothing else it’s a bit of a logistical minefield trying to organise a royal tour around young children’s needs so it’s not something we’ll see happen regularly.