Royal Watch News

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend state dinner

Sep 12, 2012, 12:01 GMT

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Singapore

Britain's Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were the guests of honour at a state dinner in Singapore last night (11.09.12).

Prince William and Duchess Catherine are on a nine-day official visit of the Far East, and on their first night in Singapore they were greeted by the country's president Tony Tan at Istana, the Presidential palace.

At the formal dinner, future king William gave a speech, telling guests how much his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, had enjoyed her own visits there.

In the speech he praised the 86-year-old monarch's 'exceptional dedication' over the past 60 years, before adding: 'My grandmother told me how much we would enjoy seeing Singapore, and meeting Singaporeans. How right she was.'

Earlier in the day, William and Catherine - who is also known by her maiden name of Kate Middleton - visited the stunning Botanic Gardens, where they were shown an orchid named after the prince's late mother, Princess Diana.

They will spend three days in Singapore before flying to Kuala Lumpur in Malysia, then Borneo before going on by private jet to the Solomon and Islands and remote Tuvalu.