William and Kate landed about 5 hours ago and went straight to the Taj Hotel.  Which is just what I did the first time I went to India!  It’s like we’re the same people!

(Go here for my post on the full schedule of their visit)

For their arrival, Kate chose a sort-of Indian looking outfit, red paisley design, and big dangly earrings, bigger than she usually wears.

Apparently, since the tour schedule was announced, the Taj visit has become a bit controversial since Tata Steel is pulling out of England which is taking away 40,000 jobs.  So Wills and Kate changed from the fancy Royal Suite to just a regular Suite, that they are paying for themselves, and they will not be meeting with either the Tata family or Mistry, current head of the group (who is actually half Irish, which isn’t really related to anything, I just find it fascinating).  The focus of the arrival was on the 26/11 attacks, not on the whole history of the hotel and its place in the Tata Empire.  Which also makes sense, since wasn’t the famous founding story that Mr. Tata built it to put one over on the British who threw him out of their hotel?

After laying a wreath on the memorial, they also met with a chef who had survived the attack and been shot twice while helping guests escape.  Oh, and he made them lunch.  They opted for veg, either because they were being courteous, or because they were worried about food poisoning from the meat.  But I’m thinking probably just being courteous.  It is the Taj, I doubt the food would be bad.

And then it was off to the Oval Maidan to meet Sachin Tendulkar!!!!!  Kate changed into a dress from an Indian designer, Anita Dongre, not quite a salwar, but kind of between a Salwar and a dress.

Oh, and they also met these adorable children who played a Cricket match for them.

Post Cricket, they left Sachin at the grounds and took and open top bus with more children’s charity kids to the Bangaga Water Tank.

At the water tank, they were greeted by drums and dancers, which would be more impressive if I hadn’t been spoiled by seeing much more impressive drums and dancer greetings in movies.  Or, you know, for movie stars.

Speaking of which, the Indian news is trying to pretend to be interested in the rest of the day, but when I look at the cumulative total of articles, they are mostly “Sachin!!!”, and “Let’s speculate about what will happen at the party tonight when actual famous people are involved!”

Current rumors flying are that Shahrukh will be officially introducing the Royal Couple at the start of the party, but not performing for them.  He has said he would be happy to show them Fan early, if they want, but he said it as kind of joke, and also said that he doesn’t want to offend them because he needs his kids to be allowed to stay studying in London! (needless to say, if I were Wills and Kate, I would definitely skip the party and take him up on the early Fan viewing offer!)

It’s rumored that Shankar will be performing at the party, which is a good choice, everyone likes him, there’s no big scandal anywhere, and he is a really really good singer.