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While the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are set to tour countries in Africa in October, new reports have emerged that the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be heading on their own international tour to Asia, around the same time.
According to the Daily Mail, William and Kate are planning a tour of Asia in the “autumn” (New Zealand’s spring), just weeks apart from Harry and Meghan’s trip to Africa.
Sources informed the Daily Mail that the royal couple are likely to focus on Commonwealth countries which could include Bangladesh, India, Malaysia and Singapore.
According to sources there’s a high chance the couple may visit Sri Lanka, following the horrific terror attack on Easter Sunday which killed at least 258 people – Prince William visited New Zealand in April this year following the Christchurch terror attacks on March 15.
While a visit to China was said to have been considered, according to the news outlet it has since been ruled out, as has a stop in Brunei which has received condemnation for its human rights record.
Kensington Palace has not yet confirmed the tour, but the news outlet claims an announcement will be made in the coming weeks.
Kate and William at the opening day of this year’s Royal Ascot. (Image: Getty)
If the reports ring true, this won’t be the first time the Duke and Duchess have undertaken a royal tour of Asia. In 2012 the royal parents-of-three visited Singapore and Malaysia and India and Bhutan in 2016 and Prince William has also taken solo trips to China, Japan and Vietnam.
There was also no mention of whether the couple’s three children will tag along.
While the children don’t usually join their parents for public outings, Prince George, 5, did join his parents on their tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 and also joined them, along with his younger sister Charlotte, 4, for their Canadian tour in 2016. We wonder if this could mark Prince Louis’, 1, first international tour!
The Duke and Duchess with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema in Thimphu, Bhutan during a ceremonial welcome event. (Image: Getty)
Reports that Harry and Meghan are set to tour Africa later this year began circulating earlier this year, and it has since been confirmed that they will indeed head to a handful of countries in Africa in October, with baby Archie likely in tow.
In late April it was also reported that the royal tour could act as a warm up for an extended stay sometime next year.
Harry and Meghan have announced their split from their joint charity with William and Kate. (Image: Getty)
Just last week it was confirmed the Duke and Duchess of Sussex had officially split from their joint charity with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Royal Foundation.
The charity will be renamed ‘The Royal Foundation of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’, with Harry and Meghan confirmed to be setting up their own foundation in the coming months.
While the split fuelled more fire behind the rumours surrounding the supposed feud between the two couples, a palace aide told People that it was a natural now that the brothers are both married, have started their own families and given their two differing future paths – with William set to be King one day, he has a lot less flexibility than Harry.
Says a royal source to People: “The development of another foundation for the Sussexes is going to be an ambitious and exciting time for all of them as they look to the future to the new projects they’ve got coming up.”
