Prince William and Kate to visit Paris 20 years after Diana's death

Prince William is to make his first official visit to the city where his mother died 20 years ago. He will visit Paris with his wife, Kate, next month.

Until now, the Duke of Cambridge has only visited Paris in an unofficial capacity, such as to attend football and rugby matches, says Hello!.

Rugby will play a part in next month's two-day state visit, however, with the Duke and Duchess scheduled to appear at the Stade de France to watch Wales play France in the Six Nations tournament on 18 March.

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Other activities include a gala reception for young people involved in leadership and a formal banquet at the British ambassador's residence.

Princess Diana was killed in a car crash in the city's Pont de l'Alma underpass on 31 August 1997, when Prince William was 15 years old and his brother, Prince Harry, 12. An estimated two billion people around the world watched them follow their mother's coffin in the funeral cortege.

Last month, William and Harry released a joint statement announcing they had commissioned a sculpture of their mother to go on display in the grounds of Kensington Palace, where the princes grew up.

"It has been 20 years since our mother's death and the time is right to recognise her positive impact in the UK and around the world with a permanent statue," they said. "Our mother touched so many lives. We hope the statue will help all those who visit Kensington Palace to reflect on her life and her legacy."