Prince William and Kate Middleton Once Had a ‘Terrifying’ Moment at a National Park India

Prince William and Kate Middleton have traveled to many places as representatives of Queen Elizabeth II. In 2016, the royal couple got the chance to visit India. They stayed in India for several days, though at one point, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a ‘terrifying’ experience.

Prince William and Kate Middleton visited India and Bhutan in 2016

In April 2016—around the same time that Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 90th birthday—William and Kate visited the South Asian countries of India and Bhutan.

While in India, William and Kate visited Mumbai and New Delhi. The couple did a lot of things in these cities, including watching a cricket match, working with local charity organizations, and attending a gala with many high-profile people in Bollywood. They also visited Kaziranga National Park and learned about conservation efforts there.

Additionally, William and Kate spent two days in Bhutan, where they met King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck and Queen Jetsun Pema. The duke and duchess also played archery, which is the country’s national sport.

Prince William and Kate Middleton had a ‘terrifying’ experience at Kaziranga National Park

William and Kate’s tour of South Asia seemed to be a great success. However, the couple experienced a “terrifying” moment during their visit to Kaziranga National Park.

While the couple was visiting the park, a 6.9-magnitude earthquake occurred in the neighboring country of Myanmar, which William and Kate felt.

Royal editor Katie Nicholl, who was in India to cover the tour, recalled (via Express), “We were checking into our hotel when the ground was literally shaking, trembling. The chandeliers were shaking, we evacuated the hotel very, very quickly. The Duke and Duchess were out in a field, in a hut on stilts. It was a terrifying moment for them.”

Nicholl also shared that William “needed a stiff drink after that, as did Kate.”

William and Kate’s spokesperson later confirmed that “tremors were felt across the region and everyone is okay.”

Prince William was reportedly emotional when visiting the Taj Mahal

In addition to feeling a nearby earthquake, William also had an emotional experience. On their last day in India, William and Kate visited the famous Taj Mahal, which was also the site of an iconic Princess Diana photograph.

In 1992, Diana and Prince Charles went on a tour of India. There was tension between the two of them, especially because information about Charles’ extramarital affairs had gone public. Diana took a trip to the Taj Mahal alone and was photographed on a bench by herself. The picture tugged on many people’s heartstrings and added to Diana’s image as a victim of Charles’ affair.

William and Kate also took a picture on the same bench as Diana.

“The Duke of Cambridge is of course aware of the huge esteem his mother, the late Princess of Wales, is held in India and he appreciates the iconic status of the images that exist of The Princess at the Taj,” an aide said (via Daily Mail). “He feels incredibly lucky to visit a place where his mother’s memory is kept alive by so many who travel there.”