In Princess Diana's footsteps
Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate tour India's Taj Mahal, 24 years after William's late mother, Princess Diana, visited the icon of love.
PT0M47S 620 349The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have completed their seven day tour of India and Bhutan by posing for a photo outside the Taj Mahal and, in turn, rewritten one of the saddest moments of modern royal history.
The couple, who took in the grounds together, recreated the famous photo that featured Princess Diana sitting on a bench 24 years ago.
That bench has since been dubbed "Lady Di's Chair" and that portrait is one of the most iconic frames of the late princess who sat alone without her husband for the photo call during their official tour of India, their last as a couple. Just 10 months later it was announced her marriage to Prince Charles was over.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose in front of the Taj Mahal. The last engagement of the Royal tour after a week long visit to India and Bhutan that has taken them to Mumbai, Delhi, Kaziranga and Agra. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty
The Prince and Princess of Wales were expected to visit the monument together just before Valentines Day in 1992, however conflicting schedules and engagements ment the then 30-year-old princess arrived and posed for official photographs by herself.
In his book Diana: Closely Guarded Secret, her former bodyguard Ken Wharfe, recounted her pointed visit. When she was asked by reporters to describe the Taj Mahal she said, "It was a fascinating experience, very healing."
When asked to elaborate she smiled and said, "Work it out for yourself."
Princess Diana alone at the Taj Mahal in 1992 without her then husband Prince Charles shortly before they separated. Photo: Getty
However the latest images of her son and his wife are in stark contrast to the lonely figure she cut in Agra.
William and Catherine, looking every inch the modern, young royals in matching Ray Bans, held hands and chatted to guides as they toured the mausoleum - a monument to love commissioned by Mughal emperor, Shah Jahan, in the 1600s to house the tomb of his second wife, Mumtaz Mahal - in 41 degree heat.
The duchess said the Taj Mahal was a fitting entree to the couple's fifth wedding anniversary on April 29.
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Kate Middleton's colourful outfits for royal tour of India and Bhutan
The Duchess mixes high street with British and Indian designs for royal tour with Prince William. Photo: AP
The Duke and Duchess at the Taj Mahal #RoyalVisitIndia pic.twitter.com/ObrHIr5QUS
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) April 16, 2016
"This is the perfect thing to do," she told staff.
She reportedly became "emotional" when she learned Mumtaz Mahal died at 39.
"She really deserves this building, as they were madly in love with each other," the Daily Mail reported.
