The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived in Birmingham today to celebrate the city’s diverse culture and meet future leaders in the arts and creative industries.
Kate, 41, looked effortlessly elegant as she stepped out in Britain’s second city in a burgundy pleated midi dress, while William, 40, appeared typically dapper in a stylish blazer and trouser combo.
Today’s outing marks the royal couple’s first official engagement since their Easter break, which they spent with their children Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, five.
During their trip, William and Kate, who travelled to Birmingham by train, are visiting the Indian Streatery, an authentic, family-run independent Indian restaurant based in the city centre.
The Prince and Princess of Wales have arrived in Birmingham today to celebrate the city’s diverse culture and meet future leaders in the arts and creative industries
Elsewhere, William and Kate will host designers, artists and playwrights at The Rectory restaurant on the edge of the city’s historic Jewellery Quarter.
The royal couple will hear about how the sector is growing and their guests’ experiences of opening and running a business in the city.
Birmingham is home to a thriving creative industries sector, which features a vast array of creative trades from the historic artisan jewellery sector to innovative, cutting-edge filmmaking and gaming.
After their meeting, the couple will then join guests for a game of interactive darts downstairs in the 180 Club before greeting members of the public outside.
The Jewellery Quarter is a hub for artistic businesses in the city which produces up to 40 per cent of all jewellery made in the UK.
Kate and William’s outing comes after the Prince of Wales shared a message of support with Lorraine Kelly today as he praised the TV personality for her bowel cancer campaign work following the death of Dame Deborah James.
William had met mother-of-two Deborah last year in the weeks before she died at her parent’s home in Surrey, where he awarded her a Damehood and enjoyed a glass of champagne with her family in the garden.
Sharing a video on his official social media page today, the royal wrote: ‘Lorraine, Dame Deborah James would be so proud of what you and the team are doing to raise awareness of bowel cancer. Keep up the great work #NoButts.’
Kate, 41, looked effortlessly elegant as she stepped out in Britain’s second city in a burgundy pleated midi dress
William (pictured right), 40, appeared typically dapper in a stylish blazer and trouser combo
Today’s outing marks the royal couple’s (pictured) first official engagement since their Easter break, which they spent with their children Prince George, nine, Princess Charlotte, seven, and Prince Louis, five
In the clip, the father-of-three said: ‘Hi Lorraine, just wanted to say a big thank you to you and your team for all you are doing to raise awareness for bowel cancer with your No Butts campaign.
‘As you know, I got to meet Dame Deborah so I know how important this was to her.’
The royal went on to explain that many people ‘do not know the signs and symptoms’ of bowel cancer, adding: ‘If you’re watching this, please take a second to learn and listen about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. It could save your life.’
Dame Deborah died in June at the age of 40 after a five-year battle with stage four bowel cancer.
After inspiring the nation, the mother-of-two was presented with a damehood by Prince William shortly after announcing she was receiving end-of-life care.
The royal cleared his diary and travelled to her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey, in mid-May to perform an honours ceremony at a tea party celebrating her extraordinary life.
The royal and his wife had been deeply moved by her campaigning and bravery and paid a moving tribute to the mother-of-two, who was survived by her two children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, and her husband Sebastien.
At the time of her death, in a tweet signed ‘W&C’, the Prince and Princess of Wales said: ‘We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah. Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones.
‘Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on’.
They have continued to support her BowelBabe Fund and in recent weeks praised her ‘incredible legacy’ after more than £11million was raised in her memory.
William and Kate shared their support of the fund on Twitter and Instagram earlier this month, writing: ‘An incredible legacy which continues to impact so many. We couldn’t be more proud of the work of the @bowelbabe Fund.’
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