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William, Kate gear up for whirlwind Asia-Pacific tour

The royal couple's Diamond Jubilee itinerary on behalf of Queen Elizabeth II will include stops in Singapore, Malaysia and the Solomon Islands from Sept. 11 to 19.
/ Source: Us Weekly

Prince William and Duchess Kate better start packing their bags!

On behalf of Queen Elizabeth II, the royal couple will visit Singapore for two days beginning Sept. 11 as part of her Diamond Jubilee Tour, honoring her 60 years on the British throne. "The Duke and Duchess are very much looking forward to the tour," the couple's personal private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton, tells Us Weekly.

During their eight-day trip, William and his wife "will wear traditional garb at some of the dinners," Lowther-Pinkerton tells Us. At times, "their dress will reflect local customs."

Much like their North American tour in the summer of 2011, Duchess Kate will be selecting her own outfits. But according to a royal insider, "There will be no iconic jewels on this trip like the maple leaf brooch in Canada." However, a source adds that "you might" see Kate wear a tiara to one of the formal dinner events.

The British couple will first attend an orchid-naming ceremony at the Singapore Botanic Gardens, where both William and and his wife will have an orchid named in their honor. The event will no doubt be bittersweet for William, as his late mother, Princess Diana, had an orchid named after her shortly before her untimely death on Aug. 31, 1997. (His mother had planned to visit the Botanic Gardens but never got the chance to see the orchid in person.)

On Sept. 12, the spouses of 16 months will check out the Gardens by the Bay in Singapore. While there, they will plant a tree and walk up one of the world's most impressive artificial rainforest mountains. Later that afternoon, the pair will visit Rainbow Centre, a special needs community school in Queenstown, where William will join a sports class and Kate will spend time in an art therapy class.

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The following day, Kate will make her first overseas speech at Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur. "The Duchess is keen to learn more about the hospice movement in Malaysia," Lowther-Pinkerton tells Us. Later that evening, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will dine with the King of Malaysia, Tuanku Abdul Halim, 84.

On Sept. 15, while in Sabah, Malaysia, the royal couple will visit the largest remaining rainforest, Danum Valley. While there, they will meet with Royal Society scientists and volunteers before climbing to the canopy of the jungle — and odds are, they will meet some orangutans! The lovebirds will then "have a quick shimmy through the jungle," Lowther-Pinkerton tells Us. After their tour of the jungle, William and Kate will have lunch at a nearby lodge.

The next day, Prince William and his bride will visit Honiara, Solomon Islands, where they will travel to a local church service in an ornately decorated open-top vehicle. They will attend a service of thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth II, followed by a traditional state dinner.

On Sept. 17, William and Kate will separate for the only time during their tour. After attending a commonwealth youth conference and giving a speech there, the Prince will meet young children playing soccer. Kate, meanwhile, will attend a reception for women's groups of the Solomon Islands.

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Don't be surprised if the duo engages in a few sporting activities! "I'm sure there will be participation [from both]," Lowther-Pinkerton tells Us.

Later that afternoon, the couple will fly to the island of Marau for a welcome ceremony, and then take a quick boat trip to Marapa for a second welcome ceremony. They will then take a war canoe journey to Tavanipupu. After that, they will retire to their hotel room for the night.

On Sept. 18, the young royals will watch locals play sports and visit a school and university during the day. The will fly commercial back to London the following day.

This article originally appeared on Usmagazine.com: