Prince William and Kate Middleton defy royal protocol with ‘dangerous’ move during secret trip

During their 2016 tour of India and Bhutan, Prince William and Kate Middleton broke royal protocol by opting to visit a children’s homeless shelter without their security detail. Despite warnings about safety, the couple chose to go alone to the Salaam Baalak Trust near New Delhi’s railway station, where they met vulnerable children affected by abuse, trafficking, and exploitation. Sanja Roy, the charity’s co-founder, initially tried to discourage the visit due to security concerns, but the royals insisted, saying they truly wanted to meet the children without the distraction of a large entourage.

Roy contrasted their visit with a previous one by Tony and Cherie Blair, which he described as chaotic and media-driven. In contrast, William and Kate were praised for being respectful and discreet, creating a meaningful experience for the children. Throughout the tour, the couple also visited iconic locations like the Taj Mahal, hiked to Bhutan’s Tiger’s Nest monastery, and met local royals. Later that year, the couple traveled to Canada for their first official overseas trip with their children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, marking the beginning of their family tours. Their youngest child, Prince Louis, was born in 2018.