Duchess of Cambridge feeds baby elephant and rhino after Indian safari trip

The Duchess of Cambridge appeared to be enjoying herself as she was given the chance to feed a baby rhino and an elephant calf at an Indian national park.

The Duke and Duchess went on safari at the Kaziranga National Park's Centre today, before getting even closer to the animals during the feeding trip to the park's Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation.

The centre cares for thousands of animals, many of which are hand-raised after being orphaned or injured.

The royal couple - on the fourth day of their week-long tour of India and Bhutan - earlier saw elephants and monkeys as they toured world heritage site from their open-topped jeep.

The Duchess of Cambridge feeds a baby rhino at the anctuary 
AFP/Getty Images

The highlight of the trek came when a huge rhino blocked the road ahead.

The couple gasped as they caught sight of the animal just 50 yards away from them. “This is amazing!” said Kate.

“It’s amazing to be this close,” William added, before a ranger called out loudly to scare it off the road.

The royals on their ride through Kaziranga National Park

William was dressed for the early start in chinos, desert boots and a khaki shirt, while Kate wore a cream RM Williams blouse and brown Zara biker stretch pants.

William, president of conservation coalition United for Wildlife, has long wanted to visit Kaziranga, and they met rangers inside the park protecting its animal population from poachers.

Park guard Mahanda Barman, 34, told the couple about the time he had a fight with a poacher after hearing gunshots by the river in the north side of the park.

A rhino blocked the road during the wildlife tour
Heathcliff O'Malley/Daily Telegraph/PA

“It can be dangerous,” he told William via a translator. “That evening there was crossfire between poachers and my team here… The butcher ran off and was later found dead. We recovered rifles and ammo… These things happen a lot. It’s a big problem.”

“You’re all doing an incredibly important job,” William told Barman. “I’m incredibly proud of everything you’re doing.”

The royal couple later travelled to the remote village of Pan Bari on the edge of the park. They were greeted by the most senior person, known as the head man, Dhurba Krishna Das, who placed traditional white woven scarfs with red embroidery, called “gamchas” around their necks, as is customary in this region of Assam.

He took them to the community centre in the village where they learned how the people and wildlife co-exist, before watching a performance of dancing and drumming.

Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in India and Bhutan

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Elders gathered at the community centre asked through a translator why they had not bought Prince George or Princess Charlotte.

Kate - who was wearing a pink floral Topshop dress with black embroidery and her hair tied back in an elaborate bun - apparently replied: “Because George is too naughty. He would be running all over the place. The next time we come we will definitely bring them.”

The head man said: “When she saw the little girl dancers and the boys drumming the Duchess said it reminded them both of their children and how much they missed them.”

It is the first time the Duchess has been apart from her children for a prolonged period.

During their chat with the village elders, William asked about the children’s education and what their standard of living is like.

The couple also asked about the elephants here and what problems they have with them. They were told that the elephants often come into the village and trample the crops.

William asked if the villagers get government compensation for lost crops, which they do.

The royals stand close to an elephant (Dominic Lipinski/PA )
Dominic Lipinski/PA

William also asked if tigers and rhino come to the village, and was told that they do. He asked if the villagers enjoyed their co-existence with the animals. The elders told them they are very happy because it is a peaceful co-existence.

When asked what it means to the villagers to have William and Kate visit Pan Bari, the head man said “We are all very happy and it makes us proud that they have come here.

“William and Kate told us they are feeling great to be in India. They also told us they like being in Assam because both enjoy drinking tea.”

The Duke and Duchess were also due to visit the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation, which provides emergency care and rehabilitation to wild animals that have been injured, displaced, or orphaned.

After visiting CWRC, the Duke and Duchess were due to visit the Kaziranga Discovery Park built by Elephant Family, the charity founded by Mark Shand, late brother of the Duchess of Cornwall.

Here they will see a first-of-its-kind health clinic for working elephants and an elephant information centre, which is under construction.

Tomorrow they leave India and fly to Bhutan where they will hosted by the Dragon King Jigme and his glamorous Queen Jetsun.

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