The city of Taj has been decked up to accord a grand welcome to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Prince William and Kate Middleton, on their maiden visit to the Monument of love - Taj Mahal on Saturday. Elaborate security arrangements have been drawn up for the visit of the royal couple who will stay in the city for nearly nine hours.
According to the schedule, the royal couple will arrive at the IAF airport in Agra by a special flight around 12.30pm and stop at a hotel near Taj Mahal's east gate before visiting the monument from 3.45pm to 5.45pm. After dinner between7pm and 9pm, the couple will depart for Delhi around 10pm.
A district official said that the monument will not be closed to the public during their visit. He said that inside the Taj premises, the CISF personnel will put up barricades to keep the crowd away from the royal couple. Arrangements have also been made to station local, national and international media at various vantage points inside the monument. The official said that a delegation of 35 people will accompany the Duke and Duchess.
Agra Development Authority (ADA) has made arrangements for a battery operated vehicle for ferrying the distinguished visitors from Shilpgram to the east gate of Taj Makahl.
Barun Rawat, a guide at the Taj Mahal, will act as the guide for the royal couple. Interestingly, Barun's father Mukund Mohan, a former deputy director in the UP Tourism department, was engaged to guide Queen Elizabeth II around the Taj Mahal when she visted the monument in 1961.
Barun was approached by the British High Commission to take William and Kate around the majestic monument. Barun has around 19 years of experience in this field and has guided tours to more than 40 heads of state and dignitaries including former US president Bill Clinton and current US vice-president Joe Biden, among others.
Prince William and Kate have also been invited by campaigners of 'Stop Acid Attacks' movement to visit 'Sheroes Hangout Cafe' near the Taj Mahal during their visit to the city. The cafe is run by five women, who have survived acid attacks.