Kate Middleton and Prince William Celebrate Children's Birthdays in Lahore
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge joined in some unexpected festivities today, on the fourth day of their royal tour of Pakistan. While visiting SOS Children’s Village in Lahore, a charity that supports and cares for over 150 children, Kate and Prince William had a chance to celebrate three of its young residents' birthdays.
The royal couple sang happy birthday to Iman, 12, Ibrahim, 6, and Daniyal, 8, who were all fêting their big days. Afterward, they helped them cut the cake, and the Duchess gave a speech.
"It’s very nice to meet the Prince and Princess," Iman told reporters, per People. "I am so happy and thankful to have them to celebrate my birthday."
Kate began her speech in Urdu, saying "Assalam O Alaikum. Emaan, Ibrahim aur Daniyal apni salgirah pur bulanay ka bohat shukria." She then went on to commend the work SOS Children's Village was doing. (Advocating for children's welfare is one of the Duchess's signature causes.)
"We have been really moved and touched by what we have seen, and by the happy home you have made," Kate said, per the Daily Mail. "I'm aware that many of you have experienced extremely difficult times in your lives. But it is inspiring to see how you have used your strength and positivity to help transform the lives of so many young children here."
She added, "Earlier this year I talked about the fact that it takes a village to raise a child. The village we have seen here today is the best representation of that ideal that I could have possibly imagined."
The organization's approach works, according to Umma Kashmir, 39, who was left at the village when she was three months old. "I was here for 25 years and am now married with three children and I have done my Ph.D. and lecture at university in management sciences," she told reporters.
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