William Called “Baldy” and Big-Nosed By Bhutanese Archery Hecklers
Gang’s all here!
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Bhutan this morning after making one helluva landing.
Paro International Airport, nestled in the Himalayan Mountains, is considered one of the most challenging airports in the world, and for that reason only eight pilots are qualified to land.
William and Catherine were invited into the cockpit as the pilot landed the plane. Prior to their descent, everyone on board (including the British press) was told not to “be alarmed” by the landing, which the captain promised would be “unique” and “spectacular,” according to the Daily Mail‘s Victoria Murphy.
After deplaning, Catherine (in the same butter Emilia Wickstead coat first seen at the 2012 Order of the Thistle Service) and William were greeted by the King’s sister, Princess Chhimi Yangzum Wangchhuk, and her husband, according to @dabneys721.
2012 Order of the Thistle Service in Scotland (William was installed that year):
For the traditional welcome procession and official meeting withKing Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and his wife, Queen Jetsun Pema, Catherine changed into a Paul & Joe embroidered wool cape with a skirt made in London from material created in Bhutan.
“Two of the best royal couples in the world are meeting, so I think it is pretty exciting,” one resident, Tsering Pem said, according to Murphy.
She topped off the look with Kiki McDonough lavender amethyst pear and oval drop earrings.
After, William and Catherine took part in darts and archery, the country’s national sport. It was a highlight for royal fans as both attempted (and failed).
“Did that clear the bank?” William asked as his arrow overshot the target, according to the Daily Express. “Because it looked like it did. I don’t want to cause a crash.
Catherine didn’t fare much better, apologizing to bystanders as her darts and arrows went everywhere but towards the target.
Apparently distracting the archers with heckling is part of the fun, and spectators can get really, really obscene. Like, drunk-slob-kebob-tom-foolery obscene.
According to the Daily Express, a crowd heckled William while he fired arrows, and it wasn’t until he walked away that the translator told the press what was chanted:
They said “You’re bald. You’re a baldy. Your nose is really big. We hope your private parts are as big.”
HOW DARE THEY.
The Sun‘s Emily Andrews clarified that it wasn’t specifically targeted at the Duke.
Tonight, William and Catherine (in an embroidered tulle gown by Tory Burch with Gianvito Rossi “Sisley” heels) dined privately with the King and Queen.
Tomorrow, the royals will take part in a five-hour trek.
