Daily Times

The Royal Visit Pakistan, as it was termed, took our media by storm, as we followed each and every minute (and yes, every wardrobe change). The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were received with great excitement and Pakistan as a nation rose to welcome the Royal guests with joy and enthusiasm.

I was in college abroad when news came that Princess Diana had passed away and was not here in Pakistan either during her last few visits in 1996 or1997. But I do remember how greatly loved she was by the Pakistanis. The select few who had the honour of being in her vicinity, recall that she was a glorious personality. She could make you fall in love with her in a matter of seconds of just being around her. For the world at large, she radiated on screen with charm, compassion, love, laughter and a great sense of humor (all at the same time), making her one of the most popular women in the world. It was addictive watching her in media coverage and I remember people here following her words, her royal visits, her fashion sense and pretty much almost everything she did. The spark that was once seen in her now seemed very much alive in her son, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge.

Perhaps it was the set of clothes and the similarities in the photographs, between Princess Diana’s visits’ and the Royal Tour 2019, which were meant to appeal to the hearts of the people and trigger that response. But more importantly, what was solidified for the International frontline was a more positive and realistic image of Pakistan as an emerging nation.

Perception change was a key factor here. The royal couple was already welcomed; the visit was not just to embed them in the hearts of the people (which it did with great success) but a diplomatic front that had to be established keeping in mind the blatant necessity for promoting Pakistan and distill concerns for other future visits from other important key players and superpowers.

The two countries have not only shared a very important but a very sensitive history between them which has been marked by the independence of the state for Pakistan. History cannot be buried. However, in today’s world, the visit was the recognition, acceptance, and strengthening of diplomatic ties between the two.

The Royal visit was an important addition in the effort to re-introduce Pakistan to the world and place it as a progressive nation and show the change occurring within as well; something which is much needed. The geopolitical nature of the nation’s history has kept it from being accepted as a secure location to travel to or to invest in. Political turbulence in the past, which seemed amplified further by incorrect reporting and lack of marketing a positive image on a global scale have also been great deterrents for foreigners.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and his wife, Catherine, the Duchess, have just concluded a trip filled with goodwill and warmth which evoked memories of the visits, in the past by Diana, Princess of Wales. More than just a trip down memory lane, this visit was a mark of the change that has taken place within Pakistan and to deepen future diplomatic relations with not just the UK, but the rest of the world as well

The royal visit was accommodated and properly supported with pictorials and videos which went viral in seconds. The excitement as Kate Middleton (Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge) wore similar patterns of clothing resembling that of her late mother in law, Princess Diana who had worn almost the same at key points, days and locations, certainly jolted memories and set many reminiscing. The entire visit certainly put a memoir like a spin on things. Respectfully so, it was tastefully done, elegantly worn and a thrill to see – worn so well. There was no comparison of the personalities but a rather warm touch to it all that appealed for many as they recollected the time spent with Diana; the familiarity for an older crowd which recalled and looked now towards the younger generation of Royals. The royal couple visit was in a gap of a 13-year period which reflected now in the current state on the progress of things to be.

The hospitality extended by both Islamabad and Lahore was duly great just as media thrilled the mass audience following it. Other key visited areas were Chitral and the Kalash tribal areas as well. The UK sent back a thank you not only via their own channels of communication but also in the form of the Duchess’ remarks; a happy nation looked forward to her words following her verbatim. Thrilled that she called their visit ‘Fantastic’, social media started to viral #FantasticPakistan, a term we are hopeful that will pick up and stay.

Can we now cordially accommodate the view point that Pakistan is truly extraordinary? Perhaps we can. The gateway this visit provides is indeed a step towards changing perceptions and a royal ‘ok’ from one superpower that Pakistan is indeed a secure, thriving and emerging place to visit.

It is a matter of truth that remains that Pakistanis are the most hospitable people in the world. If welcomed to a home or a community, even the ordinary tourist and guest can be hosted like royalty with dinner tables set with lavish spreads for those visiting. Hospitality and graciousness are an inherent part of the culture of our nation and is something everybody speaks about and takes back with them no matter which point of history we have been in. And as we look towards the future, we are now hoping to welcome the world to Beautiful Pakistan.

The writer Haya Fatima Sehgal is known for her articles on topics which have a socio-cultural impact