SINGAPORE: Praise and excitement was all around Singapore on Tuesday as Britain's Prince William and wife Kate Middleton arrived in the Southeast Asian country. Onlookers at Singapore's Botanic Gardens tried to grab a glimpse of one of the world's most popular couples, who are in the country to kick off their Southeast Asia and Pacific tour for Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee. “It is so exciting to see them together and so happy. I wish them all the best,” one spectator told Bikyamasr.com as the couple's car pulled up near the Gardens. The 9-day trip will take the couple through Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and Tuvalu will feature sentimental stops as well as the former Kate Middleton's first overseas speech as she settles into her duties with the British monarchy. National Parks Board CEO Poon Hong Yuen presented them with the Vanda William Catherine, a free-flowering orchid hybrid that is white and purple in color. They will also take a look at the Dendrobium Memoria Princess Diana, an orchid named after the late princess Diana, and the dendrobium Queen Elizabeth II. They were then taken to Singapore's grand, British colonial-era Raffles Hotel, where more than 100 people lined the gravel driveway and took pictures as the couple emerged from their car and stepped on to the red carpet.
