Mumbai: From superstars like Shah Rukh Khan, Madhuri Dixit and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan to young talent like Parineeti Chopra and Huma Qureshi - the best of Bollywood extended a warm welcome to British Royals Prince William and his wife Kate Middleton here.
The reception on Sunday night at The Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, Mumbai saw the creme de la creme of the film, sport and business society come together at the hotel for a glittering evening with the royal couple to raise funds for organisations including Childline India, Magic Bus and Door Step School, India.
Bollywood's top-rated star Shah Rukh Khan, who looked dapper in a tuxedo and a bow-tie, and was the host for the evening with Aishwarya, tweeted: "The royal couple was so gracious and full of poise. Tonight as I said is the night of the King, the Queen and the Knights. Wish all nights were same."
Madhuri, the dancing diva of the tinsel town, looked ethereal in a sari for the gala, where she was accompanied by her husband Shriram Nene.
"It was a pleasure meeting their highnesses, William and Kate. Very gracious and down to earth," Madhuri tweeted after the event.
From the snapshots that the stars have shared on social media, it is evident that special efforts were made to offer a true Indian flavour for the British Royal couple on their first visit to India.
The stars, which included names like Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Kapoor, Karan Johar, Anil Kapoor, Aditi Rao Hydari, Alia Bhatt, Farhan Akhtar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Sophie Choudry, Sonam Kapoor, Arjun Kapoor, singer Kanika Kapoor, were dressed elegantly -- mostly in creations by designer Manish Malhotra, but Duchess of Cambridge, who is known for her style, stood out in a blue gown for the evening.
Interestingly, the celebrities lined up to shake hands with the couple.
The decor was done majorly in marigold, and the centerpieces at the table were carefully chosen -- it is seen in images shared by the British Asian Trust.
As described by Huma, the gala dinner was "a royal affair".
On their tour, the royal couple will also attend a lunch hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Tuesday, visit Kaziranga National Park in Assam, take a break for a trip to Bhutan, and return to Agra in Uttar Pradesh to view the Taj Mahal.
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, right and husband Shriram Nene pose for photographers. Photo: AP
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, right, speaks with Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan, second left, and Aishwarya Rai, left as Bollywood star Madhuri Dixit watches during a charity ball at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel in Mumbai. Photo: AP
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meeting actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan during the Bollywood theme dinner in Mumbai. PTI
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with actors Nitu Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor during the Bollywood theme dinner. PTI
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Bollywood actress Alia Bhatt poses for photographers after arriving for a charity ball at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Photo: AP
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge meeting actors Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Madhuri Dikshit and Shahrukh Khan during the Bollywood theme dinner in Mumbai on Sunday. PTI
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan poses for photographers after arriving for a charity ball at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel. Photo: AP
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Bollywood actress Jacqueline Fernandez poses for photographers after arriving for a charity ball at the Taj Mahal Palace. Photo: AP
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Bollywood actress Sonam Kapoor, center, actors Anil Kapoor, right and Arjun Kapoor pose for photographers after arriving for a charity ball at the Taj Mahal Palace hotel attended by the Duke of Cambridge, Prince William, and his wife, Kate. Photo: AP
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When Kate and William joined Bollywood stars in Mumbai
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with actors Anil Kapoor, Karan Johar and Farhan Akhtar during the Bollywood theme dinner in Mumbai on Sunday. PTI
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