The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.
The Duchess of Cambridge evoked memories of Princess Diana this morning as she and Prince William made their first ever visit to a mosque.
Kate echoed her late mother-in-law in a pale grey dress by Beulah London with a draped head scarf. The ethical label is run by the couple’s close friend Lady Natasha Rufus Isaacs.
As she stepped out of her official car the 30-year-old royal was ushered to a chair to kick off her £185 nude LK Bennett heels, displaying her stockinged feet in line with religious protocol.
The couple were visiting the Assyakirin Mosque in the centre of Kuala Lumpur, which is the biggest in Malaysia and can host 12,000 for Friday prayers.
It’s the royal couple’s first visit to a mosque anywhere in the world.
Kate’s appearance at the mosque evoked memories of Princess Diana, who displayed similar cultural sensitivity on royal visits to mosques in Egypt and Pakistan.
The late Princess of Wales appeared in an almost identical outfit on a visit to an Egyptian mosque during a tour of Egypt in 1992.
A royal aide said: ‘It is the first time that either the Duke and Duchess have visited a mosque. They were keen to do so as it is is an important part of UK culture as well as being the predominant religion here.’
William first spoke to Datuk Chemat Bin Cheali, saying: ‘This is our first time in Kuala Lumpur. It’s very nice isn’t it.’
Meanwhile Kate made her way down the line-up, smiling and saying ‘it’s very nice to meet you’ with each member of staff in the greeting lineup. Ms Ibrahim presented the duchess with a bouquet of flowers.
The couple then sat down to sign the guest book, with Kate giggling to William ‘I should get this right’ before she put pen to paper.
As they were guided in to the main prayer area, both were full of questions.
William was overheard asking ‘So is this where everyone gathers? When is your biggest service? How many people gather here?’ When he was told as up to 12,000 on Fridays, he exclaimed: ‘Wow. So many!’
Kate spent most of her time talking to Ms Ibrahim. ‘It’s so peaceful in here,’ she commented.
They spoke for a good five or six minutes, starting on the subject of the architecture and calligraphy in the main prayer room. ‘It’s really amazing,’ Kate said.
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned a mosque in Istanbul which was a former church (called the Sophia Mosque), Kate expressed a lot of interest: ‘Have you been to Istanbul? I’d love to go.
‘I’ve heard of the Sophia but I’ve never been. You’re lucky to have been twice. I would really love to go some day. It looks amazing.’
When Ms Ibrahim mentioned that she had been to Edinburgh University for her undergrad and masters, Kate said ‘Oh wow, really? Well it’s very cold there compared to here,’ and the two both covered their mouths giggling.
They then spoke of Prince Charles’ interest in Islamic architecture and how Kate had learned from him.
‘Both Kate and William had done their research,’ Ms Ibrahim later told reporters. ‘They knew a lot about Islamic architecture.
‘The Duchess really appreciated how everything comes together at the mosque – how we include the architecture, the calligraphy, the comfort and the prayer all in to the one procedure.
‘It all links together. She really appreciated that.
‘When went to the outer prayer area [which is covered with a glass roof] I explained how we had exposed the skyline to show the Petronas Twin Towers
‘I explained that there is a lot of the senses here and that these elements help those praying focus better and if you are feeling uncomfortable or bored you can look up and see the beautiful towers.
‘She laughed when I said that.