Royal tour: Prince William and Kate touch down in Pakistan

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's royal tour of Pakistan is officially underway, with the royal couple touching down near Islamabad on Monday night.

Prince William and wife Kate landed at Rawalpindi's Nur Khan Airbase, where they were met by a group of dignitaries.

The red carpet had been rolled out for the royal visitors, who travelled to Pakistan on the British government's Royal Air Force Voyager, arriving at roughly 9:30pm local time.

The Duchess' first fashion look of the tour was a long flowing shirt and trousers, in the style of the traditional shalwar kameez, by designer Catherine Walker.

Kate accessorised the aqua ombre ensemble with a pair of nude heels and statement earrings believed to be from a local designer.

Following their reception at the air base, the duke and duchess travelled to the British High Commissioner's official residence in Islamabad, where they will be based throughout the tour.

The Cambridges will remain in Pakistan until Friday, undertaking an array of royal engagements and meeting with numerous locals and high-profile figures.

They are the first royals to visit the country since Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, who visited in 2006.

Unlike other recent royal tours, William and Kate will not be joined by their children; Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis have remained in the UK.

This is William and Kate's first official visit to Pakistan, and according to Kensington Palace, it will be their "most complex" royal tour to date due to the "logistical and security considerations."

The issues the royals will explore during the visit include the impacts of climate change, and the empowerment of young people through access to education.

They will also focus on the "complex security picture" in Pakistan, the palace statement adds, with the couple meeting with UK and local military personnel.

"Pakistan hosts one of Britain's largest overseas networks, with the British High Commission in Islamabad being one of the UK's largest diplomatic missions in the world," the statement concludes.

"The UK's links with Pakistan are extensive, and Their Royal Highnesses are looking forward to building a lasting friendship with the people of Pakistan."