
Perhaps they are missing their own children but whatever the reason the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were entranced by the energetic dancing of a three-year-old boy at a fireside festival - and laughed heartily when he cheekily attempted to stamp on their feet.

The couple smiled and pointed at him as he moved between a group of dancers and drummers including his father.

And Kate roared out loud when, after finally being introduced to the energetic youngster, he cheekily stamped on her foot.

The couple were beginning the third leg of their India visit at a Bihu festival by the Diphlu River Lodge in the Kaziranga National Park in Assam this evening.

The Rongali Bihu - of Bihu of Happiness - is a spring festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the new year tomorrow.

The couple arrived after a morning visit to New Delhi by private jet and after quickly freshening up, Kate changed into her third outfit of the day: an £805 green patterned ethnic-style dress by American designer Anna Sui.

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Perhaps they are missing their own children but whatever the reason the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were entranced by the energetic dancing of a three-year-old boy at a fireside festival - and laughed heartily when he cheekily attempted to stamp on their feet

The little boy's father pulled him away after he tried to tread on the Duke and Duchess - but the Royal couple roared with laughter

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were entranced by the energetic dancing of a three-year-old boy at a fireside festival in Assam, India

The Royal couple (pictured) smiled and pointed at the boy as he moved between a group of dancers and drummers including his father

The Duke of Cambridge introduces himself to the little boy, who appears to be completely unfazed by the fact he is meeting Royalty

The Rongali Bihu - of Bihu of Happiness - is a spring festival marking the end of harvest and the beginning of the new year tomorrow

Kate roared out loud when, after finally being introduced to the energetic youngster, he cheekily attempted to stamp on her foot. 'You were very energetic,’ William told the little boy. ‘He knows his dancing very well,’ he added.

The black canvas slingback shoes would be in need of a good cleaning regardless due to the mud

William, meanwhile, wore white shirt and grey khakis and desert boots, as they sat around a fire in a sandy enclosure that had been drenched by rain about half an hour earlier.

Despite the tacky ground, the women danced in barefoot, whirling and singing in their colourful saris as a band of drummers played.

But it was the little boy that stole the show.

‘They were so happy to see him. They were really watching him, ‘ said Ranjinee Bhukan, of the British deputy high commission. ‘I'm sure they were remembering their little ones.’

At the end they sought him out to meet him, and chatted to his dad. ‘You were very energetic,’ William told the little boy. ‘He knows his dancing very well,’ he added.

The couple have been forced to leave their own children Prince George, two, and Princess Charlotte, 11 months, at home due to the hectic schedule of tour tour of India and Bhutan which involves 22 engagements in just seven days.

Tonight they listened to a set of male drummers, followed by a a second group who played for a set of female dancers - including the cheeky little boy and a six year old girl.

The couple shared a laugh when William pointed out one of the moves by the women, but neither appeared tempted to try them out in front of the cameras.

Mr Bhukan added: ‘This event means we are happy that the harvest is over. We welcome the new year and we pray to the Lord that the year goes well.’

Looking at the Duke and Duchess, who smiling and clapping enthusiastically as they relaxed around the fire, he concluded: ‘They are a lovely couple. I thought I would be overwhelmed and I might get tongue-tied but when I saw them they were so friendly and so normal.’

The event marked the end of the harvest. Other guests remarked how friends and normal the royals were

Despite the tacky ground, the women danced in barefoot, whirling and singing in their colourful saris as a band of drummers played

Tonight they listened to a set of male drummers, followed by a a second group who played for a set of female dancers - including the cheeky little boy and a six year old girl

The couple shared a laugh when William pointed out one of the moves by the women, but neither appeared tempted to try them out

The couple arrived after a morning visit to New Delhi by private jet and after quickly freshening up, Kate changed into her third outfit of the day: a green patterned ethnic-style dress by American designer Anna Sui

Prince William, right, bows to the Assamese traditional Bihu dancers in Diphlu River Lodge in the Kaziranga National Park, east of Gauhati

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were presented with traditional hand-woven scarves – which are reserved for special guests

The couple pose with dancers, who performed traditional Bihu dance, at a tourist lodge in Kaziranga in the northeastern state of Assam

Prince William is shown one of Indian whistles used by the musicians as they perform at the annual festival in Assam, India

The Duchess of Cambridge laughs as the Duke of Cambridge tries to play an Indian whistle during the Bihu Festival celebration

The couple are staying at Diphlu Lodge in the park for the next two nights as they see for themselves the efforts to both preserve wildlife and learn what's being done to manage the conflicts that arise when humans and wild animals live in close proximity

When they met the musicians afterwards William tried his hand at playing the gogona, an instrument like a Jew's harp made out of bamboo. ‘Is there anything you can't play?’ he asked Krishna Kanta Baruah. ‘Very unusual, brilliant.’

The couple are staying at Diphlu Lodge in the park for the next two nights as they see for themselves the efforts to both preserve wildlife and learn what's being done to manage the conflicts that arise when humans and wild animals live in close proximity.

As well as enjoying a safari in the World Heritage Site, which boasts tiger and the Rhinoceros Unicornis - Indian one-horned rhino - as well as elephant and swamp deer, they will see for themselves the world of the late Mark Shand, the Duchess of Cornwall’s environmentalist brother, in establishing an ‘elephant corridor’ in the region.

Earlier today William and Kate were treated to a red carpet welcome Indian-style when they touched down for a visit to the world's largest one-horn rhino park today.

The Duke and Duchess were greeted by the chief minister of Assam state, Tarun Gogoi, and his wife, Dolly, who presented them with 'gamochas' – or traditional hand-woven scarves – which are reserved for special guests in Assamese culture.

The Royal couple were then surrounded by traditional Assamese dancers who moved to the beat of drums and brass cymbals clashing.

In honour of the region's harvest festival of Bihu, which starts tomorrow, the couple were also invited to enjoy Assamese rice pancakes and coconut cookies as a refreshment.

Meanwhile, Kate's hairdresser and stylist – and a few others in tow – struggled off the private jet with armfuls of suitcases, bags and suit carriers, no doubt to cover all wardrobe eventualities for the couple's trip to the wilds of north-east India.

Red carpet welcome: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted with a ceremonial welcome as they arrive at Tezpur Airport in Assam, India, on day three of the Royal visit to India ahead of their visit to the world's largest one-horn rhino park

Assistant to the Duchess of Cambridge's Private Secretary Sophie Agnew (left) and the Duchess of Cambridge's PA and stylist Natasha Archer (right) carry items of luggage as they arrive at Tezpur Airport in Assam, India, on day three of the Royal visit to India and Bhutan

Assistant to the Duchess of Cambridge's Private Secretary Sophie Agnew (left) and the Duchess of Cambridge's PA and Stylist Natasha Archer carry items of luggage as they arrive at Tezpur Airport in Assam, India, on day three of the Royal visit to India and Bhutan

The Duchess of Cambridge's hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker (left) her PA and stylist Natasha Archer (right) carries items of luggage as they leave the plane at Tezpur Airport in Assam, India

With the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge due to visit the rhino park, conservationists hope the Royals can help raise global alarms about how black-market demand for horns and other animal parts is fueling illegal poaching and pushing species to the brink.

But just two days earlier, park officials said yet another rhino had been poached, bringing the total number of rhinos killed in Kaziranga National Park this year to six.

Poachers shot the rhinoceros and, while it was still alive, sawed off its horn before fleeing before dawn Sunday, wildlife official Subasis Das said. Once the dying animal was discovered, park officials rushed to try to save it but were unsuccessful, he said.

Prince William and his wife, Kate, planned their visit to Kaziranga specifically to focus global attention on conservation.

The 480-square-kilometre (185-square-mile) grassland park is home to the world's largest population of rare, one-horned rhinos as well as other endangered species including swamp deer and the Hoolock gibbon.

They then left in a black sports-utility vehicle for an 80-kilometre (50-mile) drive to an exclusive, 12-cottage jungle resort with thatch rooftops overlooking fields and a river in Kaziranga.

The park has overseen major conservation success, with its rhino population increasing from just 75 in 1905 to 2,200 last year.

Many give credit to Lady Mary Curzon, a British baroness who reportedly persuaded her husband, Lord George Curzon, to take steps to protect the rhino when he was governor general and viceroy of India in 1899-1905 when it was still part of the British Empire.

Taking it all in: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are greeted with a ceremonial welcome as they arrive at Tezpur Airport in Assam

William and Kate were surrounded by traditional Assamese dancers, who were moving to the beat of drums and brass cymbals clashing

'The Royals should focus on global awareness and the success of Kaziranga, a conservation story started by Lady Curzon,' said industrialist Ranjit Borthakur, who heads the Balipara Foundation conservation group in Assam.

But as the neighboring human settlements continue to expand, the animals find themselves in increasingly tense competition for habitat.

During their two-day stay, the royal couple will meet rangers and take a jeep safari through the park. They will also speak with Karbi tribal villagers who live in a nearby hamlet - a meeting that is expected to boost morale among locals trying to protect the area's wildlife.

'The royals' visit will bring Kaziranga further into the limelight. The villagers around the park will get added encouragement to work harder,' said Anowaruddin Choudhury of the Rhino Foundation for Nature in Northeast India.

All five of the world's rhino species are under constant threat from poachers seeking their horns to sell on the black market. Demand is high in countries such as China and Vietnam, where people mistakenly believe consuming rhino horns can increase male potency. It does not.

Already six rhinos have been poached this year, after 20 were killed in 2015.

'The Duke will use this visit to speak out against the lies and violence that threaten this valuable species and the communities that rely on it,' Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

'Traffickers in South East Asia are now marketing Indian rhino horn as 'fire horn' and lying about its increased potency when compared to African horn.'

Conservationists say the visit couldn't be coming soon enough.

Following a quick change they watched dancers perform Bihu dance, a traditional folk dance, at a tourist lodge in Kaziranga in Assam

The dance was held as part of the Bihu Festival Celebration at Diphlu River Lodge on day 3 of the royal visit to India and Bhutan

The Royal couple appeared to be delighted by the traditional dance, which was performed by a group of women from Kaziranga state

At the end of the ceremonial dance the royal couple applauded the group and thanked them for the fireside performance

The Duchess of Cambridge posed with some of the dancers who took part in the traditional fireside ceremony on the third day of the visit

'The British royals' visit will certainly increase the level of awareness on rhino conservation,' said Bibhab Kumar Talukdar, who heads the local wildlife protection group Aaranyak.

But he wants the royals also to press China and other countries to curb consumption of rare animal parts, including rhino horns as well as tiger bones and pangolin scales. 'We would expect the Duke and the Duchess to convince them to clamp down on such use,' he said.

After visiting the park, the royal couple will fly to the neighboring kingdom of Bhutan on Thursday morning.

Earlier, the day started with the Duchess looking radiant in a casual printed maxi dress as she joined her husband at a centre for street children in New Delhi.

The royal couple visited a facility run by the Salaam Baalak Trust, an organisation supporting some of the youngsters who arrive into the city's railway station each day in search of a better life.

Unusually on a public engagement, Kate, 34, opted for flat cream pumps which she paired with a long burgundy ethnic-style dress with a belt tied around the middle. She wore her hair in loose curls half tied up off her face to finish her relaxed look.

Art class: The Duchess of Cambridge sat cross-legged as she drew pictures with some of the street children helped by the charity

Costume change: Kate was whisked away to have lunch with the Indian Prime Minister in an £800 lace dress paired with a formal chignon

Hectic schedule: The couple's whirlwind tour will take them from Mumbai in the west to Assam in the east and on to Bhutan in just six days

William and Kate, who are on the third day of their week-long tour of India and Bhutan, today met some of the 6,000 children who travel to New Delhi each year, often fleeing from abuse or appalling poverty.

Once they arrive in the Indian capital, the youngsters become a target for prostitution, people trafficking or sexual and physical abuse.

The royal couple heard how the Trust's outreach workers try to identify the most vulnerable young children as soon as they arrive, encouraging them to seek support.

The Duke and Duchess heard how some of the children have their eyes gouged out and hands hacked off to make them more 'attractive ' as professional beggars.

But the horrors of life on the street seemed far removed from the children's minds as they invited the visiting royals to join them for a round of carrom, a traditional table game.

William and Kate appeared in good spirits as they crouched down on the floor with the boys, who live in the nearby station.

Relaxed: Kate wore flat cream pumps underneath a long burgundy ethnic style dress with a belt tied around the middle

Low-key style: The Duchess wore her hair in soft curls that were half tied back from her face for the visit to the train station

Playtime: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge enjoyed a game of the traditional table game Carrom with street children in New Delhi

Greeting: The couple couldn't keep the smiles off their faces as they met with some of the thousands of children helped by the charity

Namaste: Kate gives the children a traditional greeting (left) while one of the boys looks on as the Duchess draws a picture (right)

A picture of a house drawn by the Duchess of Cambridge during her visit to a children's centre run by the charity Salaam Baalak in Delhi

Light-hearted moment: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge play a game of carrom with street children at a centre in New Delhi

Joining in: The Duke and Duchess then also visited a temporary shelter for boys, located close to the train station

Prince William, 33, asked one of the boys: 'What's the game you're playing? Ah, carrom board. Can you show us how to play?' Flicking the draught, he laughed as it went too far and invited his wife to have a go.

The charity's director Sanjoy Roy told the couple about the charity's work. 'The boys come here for four hours of lessons and some food every day,' he said. 'When they're not here, they're at the railway station.'

When Prince William asked whether it was dangerous, Mr Roy replied: 'Yes, so they try to stick together. We look after around 7,000 kids a year but every day around 40 to 50 new children arrive at the station.

'They often have to deal with trauma, learning difficulties, ADHD and we have special programmes to help them with that. These children that we look after are the most vulnerable. Some may have their eyes gauged out or hands hacked off.

'The primary reasons they run away from home are misunderstanding with step-parents, physical and mental abuse, incredible poverty or a life event such as forced marriage.'

The charity has six homes, 21 contact centres and three Childline centres near stations, bus stands and railway stations across Delhi.

Prince William asked what he could do to help, and Mr Roy replied: 'Spread the word. People think of them as street kids, beggars, thieves but they are just children. They deserve an education, future and a life. They have a right to a childhood.'

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrive for a visit to a children's centre run by the charity Salaam Baalak, which provides emergency help and long term support to homeless children at New Delhi railway station on day three of the Royal visit to India and Bhutan

Crowds gather before the arrival of Kate and William at a contact centre run by the charity Salaam Baalak at New Delhi railway station

The Royal couple receive a drawing on their visit to a children's centre that supports homeless children at New Delhi railway station

The couple also heard how Salaam Baalak Trust always tries to reunite children with their families but where that's not possible they provide permanent care in one of their shelters, where they are given medical care as well as educational, creative and social opportunities.

Dr Amit Sen, who started the charity's mental health programme, explained to the couple why this support is vital to help children coping with the trauma of life on the streets adapt to life in a nurturing environment.

Aides said the Duke and Duchess were particularly interested to see children's mental health being treated as a key priority in helping children to seek physical healthcare, shelter, and eventually education. Young people's mental health is a major focus of their charitable work.

Prince William and Kate also met two Salam Baalak City Walk Guides. The Trust is famous for its city walks, guided tours of the Delhi streets by the children who used to live there before being rescued.

The tours provide revenue for the Trust, but more importantly allow the young people to tell their stories of hardship and survival as well as helping them with their English and communication skills.

Salaam Baalak Trust was set up in 1998 with the proceeds from the film Salaam Bombay, a film depicting the lives of vulnerable street children.

The name Salaam Bombay means 'salutes the child'. Salaam Baalak Trust runs five children's shelters,which house over 500 children,and 13 contact points in and around Delhi, supporting children living and working on the streets.

Formal: Prince William (left) shakes hands with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he and wife Kate arrive for lunch in New Delhi

Official engagement: The Duke of Duchess of Cambridge changed into more formal wear for lunch with Prime Minister Narendra Modi

Demure: The Duchess of Cambridge opted for a mid-length teal dress with cut-out detailing for her lunch with the prime minister

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are on a week-long tour of India and Bhutan taking in Mumbai, Delhi, Assam, Bhutan and Agra

Good spirits: The royal couple shared a joke with the prime minister before joining the leader for lunch at Hyderabad House in New Delhi

Kate's ethereal sea green lace dress was high necked and the severity of its cut was echoed by the Duchess's formal chignon

Kate and William then visited a boys' home near Delhi station where around 50 boys live in the four-storey building.

They were greeted in traditional Indian style with red tika spots and flower garlands.

After climbing four flights of stairs to the roof terrace, they chatted to some of the boys and joined in their art work.

Having been presented with some of their drawings, Kate said: 'Did you do this? It's beautiful, well done. Shall I do a drawing for you?'

Kate sat down next to Shansad Abdul, 12, who asked her to draw a picture of her house.

It's unknown exactly which of her two houses she drew, but the resulting picture with large chimney, slated roof and big front door did bear an uncanny resemblance to their Norfolk mansion, Anmer Hall.

Shansad helped her colour it in-doing blue clouds and a large yellow sun. He said afterwards (through a translator): 'I liked doing it with her very much and I learnt how to draw trees and greenery.

'She was a very good lady and very happy to sit and draw with me. I ran away from home because my family are very poor and couldn't look after me.

'I came to Delhi from Purniya in the state of Bihar because I knew my older brother was married and living here. I came on my own and all I knew was that I wanted to find him.

'But when I went to his address he had moved and I had no knowledge of where he was and nowhere to go. Childline found me at the station and brought me here-I've been here for two months. My brother doesn't know I'm here.

'I'm happy but I do miss my parents. They don't know I'm here as I have no way of contacting them.'

Close links: A Kensington Palace spokesman said the couple are 'grateful to have this chance' to meet the Prime Minister, adding that the tour was first announced following Mr Modi's lunch with The Queen in January

William and Kate appear to share a joke as they sign a book during their meeting with Mr Modi at Hyderabad House in New Delhi

The Duchess smiles while posing for cameras during their private lunch with Mr Modi at a former palace in New Delhi

The royal couple also met the charity's founder Praveen Nair, 85, who used money from her daughter's Oscar-nominated film Salaam Bombay to establish it 28 years ago.

Mrs Nair was very impressed with their interest.

She said: 'It's really very heartening to see well-to-do people are aware of the problems and they come and see it for themselves. It's very fulfilling for me' the staff and the kids to come and see us. It's very good for the children as it makes them feel important and goes a long way to building their self-confidence.

'It was a revelation to see that they were like anyone else, like you or I. They didn't say 'oh it's dirty' or refuse to shake people's hands. That is the pre-conceived opinion for all well-to-do people and Britishers.'

Kate and William then returned to the High Commissioner's residence for private meetings with two other NGOs. They also met embassy staff and children who live in the compound.

The couple later had lunch with Indian Prime Minister Modi, where William discussed 'the pressures facing steel manufacturers in the UK and India', say sources.

There had been heightened speculation that the Duke of Cambridge would raise the issue of Indian firm Tata's decision to pullout of the British steel industry which has put 40,000 jobs in jeopardy.

Happy Birthday, Gran! Kate and William use a sword to cut a special cake for the Queen at a party to celebrate her 90th in New Delhi

William paid tribute to the Queen, describing her as a 'wonderful great-grandmother' for his children and very much his 'boss'

Kate changed into an ethereal sea green lace dress which was high necked and the severity of its cut echoed by the Duchess's formal chignon, courtesy of her personal hairdresser Amanda Cook Tucker.

The 'Desdemona' dress costs £795 and is by Temperley London.

A Kensington Palace spokesman said of the meeting: 'Their Royal Highnesses are grateful to have this chance to meet the Prime Minister - this tour was first announced following Mr Modi's lunch with The Queen in January.'

They will then fly to Assam where they will spend two days in Kaziranga National Park to highlight rural and conservation issues.

As well as enjoying a safari in the World Heritage Site, which boasts tiger and the Rhinoceros Unicornis - Indian one-horned rhino - as elephant and swamp deer, they will take part in a colourful sunset ceremony.