Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to visit melting glacier to highlight impacts of climate change on third day of Royal tour to Pakistan

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited the spectacular northern district of Chitral on the third day of their royal tour to Pakistan.

The visit to the rugged, polo-playing valley close to the Afghan border is intended to draw attention to the effects of climate change as the royal couple visit melting glaciers.

At a formal welcome as they disembarked from the helicopter which had ferried them from Islamabad, the pair were given shawls and hats of the Chitrali Scouts, just as Princess Diana before them in 1991.

The Duke had spoken of the challenges Pakistan faces from climate change the evening before at a reception beneath Pakistan's national monument in Islamabad.

"Tomorrow we will be seeing some of these impacts first hand and meeting some of the communities adjusting to the new realities and new challenges that climate change has brought to their towns and villages," he said.

"I hope to learn what more we all can do to help prevent and mitigate this impending global catastrophe."

Anticipated to walk around the glacier's northern tip, the excursion will be the first time the royal couple have seen a melting glacier in person.

The couple hope to highlight the effect of global warming during the visit, which will also see them travel to a village in a valley of Chitral.

Isolated communities in the area have suffered from flash flooding in recent years as a result of the glaciers melting.

While in the Chitral valley, the couple are also due to explore a site damaged in severe floods in 2015, to meet the local community and hear how they are adapting their way of life in response to climate events.

William and Kate are expected to witness a drill conducted by volunteers from the local emergency response team - who are supported by UK aid - which was instrumental in preventing loss of life in 2015.

Before they depart the district, they will visit a settlement of the Kalash people to learn about their community, heritage and traditions.

The royal couple had a busy first day of engagements on Tuesday, which included  visiting a government-run school in the capital Islamabad and meeting Prime  Minister Imran Khan.

They ended the day at the reception, hosted by the British High Commissioner  for Pakistan Thomas Drew, after arriving in an auto rickshaw.