Prince William and Kate to visit Taj Mahal today

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton will  visit the Taj Mahal monument on Saturday.

The couple is expected to arrive at the iconic ‘monument of love’ late afternoon, at around 3:45 pm, and will fly to Delhi post dinner. The Taj Mahal will remain open to public during the royal visit.

Archaeological Survey of India officials said due to exemption under protocol, the royal couple and their entourage will neither be required to purchase tickets nor undergo frisking at the entrance. They will use a separate pathway to Taj, where they will stay for about two hours.

While officials in-charge at the Taj speculated closing the monument to the public during the royal viewing, it was decided to keep it open. District magistrate Pankaj Kumar said all required security arrangements were in place.

The monument is closed off on Fridays but hosts additional crowds over weekends. Zayareen



(pilgrims) returning from Ajmer also camp in Agra, and often visit the Taj Mahal too.

“We have sufficient manpower and the state police will assist us,” Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) commandant at Taj, Sudhir Kumar said. “Arrangements are being made keeping in view the volume of the crowd.”

The internal security of Taj is assigned to the CISF which will be assisted by state police and Provincial Armed Constabulary (PAC). As a precaution, security personnel will be posted on roof tops in the localities around the Taj Mahal.

The Duke and Duchess have been on a week-long tour to India from April 10, their first official visit to the country, and travelled to Mumbai, Delhi and Kaziranga National Park. The royal couple also flew to Bhutan on an invitation from King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. The trip to Agra is enroute their way back to Delhi where the couple will conclude the seven-day trip.