Prince William and Princess Kate have long had personal protection officers to accompany them during their public engagements. However, during their 2016 tour of India and Bhutan, the royal couple made the bold decision to forgo their security detail when they visited a homeless children’s shelter in New Delhi, a move that raised concerns about their safety.
The visit to the Salaam Baalak Trust, located at the New Delhi railway station, was arranged by co-founder Sanja Roy, who recalled the moment the royal couple insisted on coming without security. “When William and Catherine came to see this project, [representatives] called saying, ‘They’re happy to come without security,’” Sanja told The Daily Mail.
Sanja, worried about the potential risks, tried to dissuade them, saying, “It’s too dangerous. Just don’t come.” However, the royal couple insisted, expressing a strong desire to engage with the children in a meaningful and private way. “No, we really want to,” they said.
Sanja’s concerns were partly based on a previous visit by British VIPs, Tony and Cherie Blair, which had attracted intense media attention and disrupted the experience for the children. “It was just a circus,” Sanja explained. “The Press came. It was just not nice.” Despite the media frenzy, he was impressed with how William and Kate handled the situation. “They were so wonderfully respectful,” he said.
During their visit, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, as they were known at the time, met some of the most vulnerable children in New Delhi. They took part in an art lesson, played games with the youngsters, and spent time getting to know the children supported by the contact centre.
Kate chose a £50 red patterned maxi dress for the visit, paired with pointed flats and Accessorize filigree earrings, while William’s attire matched the laid-back yet respectful tone of the visit. The couple’s tour included visits to the Taj Mahal, a Bollywood gala, and a cricket match with local children. In Bhutan, they hiked to the Tiger’s Nest monastery, tried archery, and met with the country’s royal family.
Just a few months later, the couple embarked on their first family tour to Canada with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte. However, their youngest child, Prince Louis, has not yet joined them on an overseas tour.
