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After a trying year, Prince William and Kate Middleton reconnect during an official trip to Pakistan

It was an arrival fit for a future king and queen. As cameras flashed and a crowd of admirers looked on, Prince William and Kate Middleton stepped off their plane and onto a red- carpeted tarmac on Oct. 14 to begin a five-day tour of Pakistan, becoming the first royals to visit the country in 13 years. “This is the most complex tour undertaken by the duke and duchess to date,” said Kensington Palace in a statement, “given the logistical and security considerations.”

So it’s no surprise the couple’s children, George, 6, Charlotte, 4, and Louis, 18 months, were left in London. But it wasn’t all business for William and Kate, both 37. Life & Style’s learned that, after a tough year that included rumors of an affair, the duo made the most of their alone time, turning a work trip into a romantic adventure. “Taking a few days off from mommy and daddy duties reignited the spark in their marriage,” admits a source. “They had a blast riding in rickshaws, enjoying local delicacies and experiencing the culture. It was exactly what they needed — a chance to reconnect.”

A FRESH START

The past few months haven’t been easy. Not only has the pair endured rumors that he cheated with her BFF, Rose Hanbury, but Kate’s ongoing feud with Meghan Markle led to a wedge being driven between once-close brothers William and Prince Harry. In Pakistan, however, “they were able to escape the drama back home,” says the source.

Of course, the trip wasn’t all fun and games. William and Kate’s busy schedule included meetings with dignitaries and visits to numerous charities. But with their renewed connection, the couple enjoyed every minute. “William and Kate have vowed to spend more time alone in the future,” the source says, “to help keep the romance alive.”

On the second day of their visit, Oct. 15, William and Kate teamed up to do arts and crafts with schoolchildren in the country’s capital, Islamabad. “One of the highlights of the trip was trying some of Pakistan’s finest culinary delights,” a source says, adding that the royal duo (here, in traditional garb on Oct. 16) are both “huge curry fans.”

Kate called the pair’s stop at a children’s charity on Oct. 17 “inspiring.” “William was reminded how much he loves Kate’s playfulness,” says the source of the duchess, who got competitive during a game of cricket on Oct. 17. They coordinated outfits for a reception on Oct. 15. On Oct. 15, Kate wore the national color, green, for their meeting with Prime Minister Imran Khan. The couple’s trip included a visit to a glacier in the Hindu Kush mountain range on Oct. 16.