One year ago, Prince William and Kate Middleton began a logistically complex five-day tour to Pakistan. The most memorable event on the tour was almost certainly an airplane emergency that caused some serious turbulence, but this week the couple proved that they also valued some of the less surprising moments. To commemorate the visit, Kate and William did a video call where they played Pictionary with some of the students they met last year at the Islamabad Model College for Girls.
A video posted to the couple’s Instagram account showed Kate and William guessing answers while the students drew pictures. “I’m really glad you guys are drawing and we’re not having to draw. You’re much better, you guys,” William said, before the students asked if he liked to draw. “We both like a little bit of drawing,” he replied with a laugh. “Catherine is very good, I am really bad.”
They also heard how the students, all of whom were wearing masks to protect against coronavirus, had adjusted to the difficulty of life during the pandemic. “You’re doing an amazing job, particularly now when things have been so difficult.” Kate said to a pair of teachers. “You’re a real lifeline to families out there, so congratulations on all the hard work.”
On last year’s tour, the couple was sure to honor their host country with thoughtful and culturally appropriate dress, and Kate wore plenty of outfits that featured shalwar kameez, a tunic-and-pants combination common in the country. For this week’s call, she brought back a cream satin brocade tunic that she wore while visiting a hospital and playing a game of cricket on last year’s trip.
While talking to another set of students this week, William recalled that game of cricket. “I do very much remember that,” he said. “You were very good at cricket. We had a good game going and everyone told us we had to stop.” One student showed William a drawing he made of them playing cricket together.
The Pakistan tour was also a moment where Kate and William telegraphed their intention to focus on work involving the environment and climate change. The tour’s itinerary took them to locations where the effects of climate catastrophe are already being felt, and William delivered a speech about the issue during a banquet. Last week, he returned to similar themes in a TED talk, just days after announcing the Earthshot Prize, a multimillion-dollar effort to honor activists who are making progress on climate issues.
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