Swaying to the South Pacific beat: Duke and Duchess of Cambridge don grass skirts to join in tribal dance on royal tour
- Kate and William touch down in remote island cluster of Tuvalu
- They donned grass skirts to take part in a traditional welcome dance
- They are carried from private jet on thrones behind procession of performers
- Royal couple had previously snorkelled and had private dinner before flying
- Stop in Tuvalu is the last leg of their Diamond Jubilee Tour
By REBECCA ENGLISH, ROYAL CORRESPONDENT IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS
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Swaying in time to the music, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge became true South Pacific royalty today when they donned colourful skirts and danced the night away at a gathering of island chiefs.
The couple are currently on the island of Tuvalu, one of the most remote spots on earth, to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Until now they have been members of Tuvalu's royal family in name only - but after their display at an inter-island singing celebration earlier they became fully fledged members of the community.
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Shake their hips: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge donned grass skirts and took part in a traditional welcome dance today on the last leg of their South Pacific tour
Traditional dance: The Royal couple seem to be enjoying the dance, known as Fatele after arriving in Tuvalu
Star of the show: Princess Kate joined local women in costume during the dance
William and Kate shimmied, swayed their hips and moved their arms as they joined six island communities of the South Pacific nation at a fatele or local dance where groups try to out sing and dance each other in a friendly rivalry.
The Duchess looked the more natural and got to her feet time after time to join the performers, while William left it till in later in the evening to try out his moves.
At one stage, however, both had colourful skirts tied around them to make them really feel the part.
Natural performer: Kate got to her feet and joined in many times during the dance
Looking the part: Kate got involved in the South Pacific tradition
Spraying dancers: Kate performed another tradition where dignitaries sprayed dancers with perfume as a mark of respect and gratitude
Another tradition associated with the event is for dignitaries to spray perfume or scent on dancers they like as a mark of respect and gratitude.
Armed with a bottle of Paul Smith London for Men, both royals liberally sprayed the performers.
The Duke and Duchess clearly enjoyed themselves, laughing and joking with each other.
VIDEO: Duchess of Cambridge dons a grass skirt to join in with tribal dance
To celebrate: The couple are on the island of Tuvalu, one of the most remote spots on earth, to celebrate the Queen's Diamond Jubilee
Shimmied: William and Kate shimmied along with six island communities as the groups tried to out sing and dance each other in a friendly rivalry
Hands in the air: Kate and her fellow dancers are all smiles as they perform
Line dancing: The Duchess looks a little nervous as she adjusts her headgear alongside the dancers
At the end, William summed it up as 'good, really good - an amazing evening' when asked by Tapugao Falefou, a senior government official who helped organise the royal visit, if he had enjoyed himself.
The rousing event capped a busy but exciting day for the royals who were welcomed with a greeting not seen since the Queen last set foot on the Funafuti, Tuvalu's main island in 1982.
The couple later toured the village in their carriage that had been fitted to a large flat bed truck that flew William's royal standard from its cabin.
On tour: Kate spoke to students at Nauti Primary School on Tuvalu
Kate was shown a child's school book as she sat in the classroom
William donned a wreath of flowers during the visit to the local primary school
Centre of attention: The couple took a tour of the primary school as well as a university and an exhibition showcasing traditional houses and crafts from the islands
Captive audience: The school children watch on as Kate speaks to the class
It was part of a motorcade that featured a number of 4X4 vehicles and at the front and back had an escort of policemen without helmets riding small motorbikes.
Their tour took them to a school and a university and to an exhibition showcasing traditional houses and crafts from across a number of the islands.
But the highlight of the visit was the rousing end to the night when the island communities sang in glorious unison to the enjoyment of the royal couple.
Before they arrived at the hall the royals enjoyed a banquet fit for two kings at a nearby venue that also saw the chiefs and politicians enjoy the sumptuous meal.
Table talk: William and Kate also spoke to locals at the University of the South Pacific
The locals listened intently as Kate spoke to them at the University of the South Pacific
Kate looked stunning in a yellow dress and flower head dress as she toured Tuvalu
Kate clearly enjoyed her time among the local children at the primary school, sitting with them and touring the school grounds
Kate arrived barefoot, as were all the other guests, and had changed into a long flowing dress by Angela Temperley, while William had taken his shoes off to walk on the matted floor but kept his socks on.
Sat on two low stools while everyone else sat crossed legged on the floor the royals watched as two men strained carrying a huge platter to the Duke while another pair lifted an enormous spread of food and placed it in front of Kate.
Having a smashing time: Kate applauds as William cracks open a coconut
Thirst quencher: William and Kate drink coconut milk from a tree planted by the Queen when she visited in 1982
Green fingers: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge plant coconut trees
Island game: William played a Tulvaluian game with coconuts called Te Ano
Featured on the menu were raw slices of Paala fish, and a main course of leg of pork and roast chicken, local seafood was served including lobster and fresh clam, while vegetables included lauluu – local spinach -rolled mashed breadfruit with sweet potato leaf stuffing and pumpkin.
For dessert were banana fritters and fruits from pawpaw to bananas and utanu tao – baked germinating coconut - but as is traditional there was no alcohol to wash down the food but pii – fresh green coconut juice drank with straws – and iced water.
Like the other guests each of the royals had a waitress sat in front of them waving a fan in case of flies and the Duke and Duchess chatted to the women who pointed out the dishes to describing what they were.
Throne of a different kind: The couple sat at heart-shaped thrones for a celebratory meal today
Offering: William and Kate were presented with food at the meal in Funafuti on Tuvalu
The royal couple arrived on the small cluster of islands in the South Pacific, and were greeted by an enthusiastic 5,000-strong local crowd.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2204827/Duke-Duchess-Cambridge-don-grass-skirts-tribal-dance-royal-tour-South-Pacific.html#ixzz26qZpHr2r
