Orchid Vanda William Catherine named after Duke & Duchess of Cambridge

An orchid has been named after Britain's Prince William and his wife, Catherine Middleton. 

The royal couple, who arrived on Tuesday for their first state visit here until Thursday, were presented with the Vanda William Catherine at the National Orchid Garden of the Botanic Gardens. 

Vanda William Catherine is a free-flowering orchid hybrid, with white petals and sepals with purple red spots. 

Singapore is the first stop in the royal couple's Asia-Pacific tour to commemorate Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee this year. 

During the visit, the couple also viewed two orchids with special significance for the family - Dendrobium Queen Elizabeth II, as well Dendrobium Memoria Princess Diana, named in memory of Prince William's mother, Diana, Princess of Wales. 

Prince William and his wife arrived earlier in the afternoon and were met by Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Defence and National Development, Dr Maliki Osman and his wife. 

On their first evening here, the couple, who are officially known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, will call on Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana. 

President Tan will then host them to a state dinner there, where Prince William will give a speech.