Prince William in good spirits as he visits Milton Keynes

The eyes of the world are currently on Canada, where Prince Harry made his first official appearance with girlfriend Meghan Markle last night.

And Prince William gave a diplomatic laugh in response to a comment about a royal engagement being on the cards for his brother and the Suits actress.

During the visit to Milton Keynes, the royal, 35, also revealed that Prince George is already ‘fed up’ with going to school – despite his first day being less than three weeks ago. 

The Duke of Cambridge was visiting the Buckinghamshire town as part of celebrations marking its 50th anniversary.

 

Prince William gave a diplomatic laugh in response to a comment about the prospect of brother Harry marrying girlfriend Meghan Markle today during a visit to Milton Keynes 

The Duke of Cambridge visited the Buckinghamshire town today to mark its 50th anniversary

The Duke of Cambridge visited the Buckinghamshire town today to mark its 50th anniversary

William visited William Cowley Parchment Makers during his tour of the town, during which the prospect of Harry marrying Meghan was raised.  

Paul Wright, the store’s general manager, told him: ‘If Prince Harry marries Meghan then his certificate will be in our vellum.’

William simply burst out laughing in response to the comment, with Mr Wright later explaining: ‘He just laughed – a nice laugh.’

Under the Royal Marriages Act 1772, all descendants of George II must obtain the sovereign’s agreement before they wed, otherwise the marriage is invalid.

The Instrument of Consent is an elaborate document made from vellum, usually calf skin, proclaiming the monarch’s approval of a marriage and bearing a large red wax Great Seal of the Realm. 

Meanwhile, William also said that George, four, is already fed up with going to St Thomas’s School in Battersea.

Today's royal engagement comes a day after Prince Harry made his first official public appearance with girlfriend Meghan Markle 

Today’s royal engagement comes a day after Prince Harry made his first official public appearance with girlfriend Meghan Markle 

William’s admission was made to a fellow parent after he had earlier dropped off the four-year-old future king.

Mother-of-two Louise Smith, 31, said: ‘He told me he’d just dropped Prince George off at school and he didn’t want to go. Sounds a bit like mine, really.’

William had stopped to say hello to the mother and her daughters Sophia, aged three, and one-year-old Holly during his visit. 

The Duke of Cambridge visited the Milton Keynes Rose in Campbell Park during his trip, a public installation featuring pillars celebrating events and groups that are important to residents. 

William once again showed he was a natural with children as he spoke to youngsters in the town.

The royal, 35, attended a festival showcasing the town's achievements over the past 50 years

The royal, 35, attended a festival showcasing the town’s achievements over the past 50 years

William looked to be in very high spirits as he met with local residents during his visit

He visited Campbell Park during his tour of the town

William looked to be in very high spirits as he met with local residents during his visit  

The Duke also revealed during the visit that Prince George is already 'fed up' with school 

The Duke also revealed during the visit that Prince George is already ‘fed up’ with school 

He is visiting Milton Keynes as residents celebrate the Act of Parliament which 50 years ago paved the way for the town’s creation.

In 1967, the then housing minister Anthony Greenwood granted permission to transform 8,850 hectares of farmland and undeveloped villages into a town of 250,000 people.

It was part of the third and final phase of the government’s plans to relocate populations following the Second World War.

Five decades later, MK – as it is known to locals – has become home to more than 10,000 businesses and is used as a model for cities around the world.

The Duke is meeting Milton Keynes’ founders, community leaders, faith groups and representatives from the public sector. 

William made a short speech during which he described Milton Keynes as a 'vibrant, diverse, creative and community-focused centre' 

William made a short speech during which he described Milton Keynes as a ‘vibrant, diverse, creative and community-focused centre’ 

He unveiled a new pillar as part of the Milton Keynes Rose celebrating the town's founders

He unveiled a new pillar as part of the Milton Keynes Rose celebrating the town’s founders

The royal met with community leaders, faith groups and representatives from the public sector

The royal met with community leaders, faith groups and representatives from the public sector

William later climbed on board mechanical elephant Harminder which is used in parades

William later climbed on board mechanical elephant Harminder which is used in parades

The prince inspected the giant elephant as he attended a festival celebrating the town

The prince inspected the giant elephant as he attended a festival celebrating the town

William was seen enjoying a game of table football during his visit to Milton Keynes 

William was seen enjoying a game of table football during his visit to Milton Keynes 

The prince looked extremely animated as he played the game with young people involved with the MK Dons football team mental health programme

The prince looked extremely animated as he played the game with young people involved with the MK Dons football team mental health programme

William is also attending a festival demonstrating the themes of the year-long celebration – MK50 – from business and innovation to community, culture, history and the environment.

During a ceremony commemorating the town’s anniversary, William made a short speech before unveiling a new pillar celebrating the town’s founders.

His appearance comes after Harry attended the Invictus Games in Toronto with girlfriend Meghan on Monday.

The pair looked every inch the loved-up couple as they watched a tennis match between players from Australia and New Zealand. 

William seemed perfectly at home as he took a closer look at the mechanical elephant 

William seemed perfectly at home as he took a closer look at the mechanical elephant 

The prince is known for his love of elephants, calling for more to be done to stop poaching

The prince is known for his love of elephants, calling for more to be done to stop poaching

William was later shown a driverless vehicle as he joined in celebrations in the town 

William was later shown a driverless vehicle as he joined in celebrations in the town 

William has made a number of public appearance since the announcement of the Duchess of Cambridge's third pregnancy 

William has made a number of public appearance since the announcement of the Duchess of Cambridge’s third pregnancy 

The father-of-two was seen examining the Milton Keynes Rose installation

He later took a look at the work of local artists

The father-of-two was seen examining the Milton Keynes Rose installation, before looking at the work of local artists 

William looked animated as he spoke to a local resident during his visit to Milton Keynes today

William looked animated as he spoke to a local resident during his visit to Milton Keynes today

The Duke of Cambridge carried on with his royal duties as normal, following the excitement over Harry and Meghan's first official appearance together 

The Duke of Cambridge carried on with his royal duties as normal, following the excitement over Harry and Meghan’s first official appearance together 

THE DUKE OF CAMBRIDGE’S SPEECH IN FULL

Thank you very much indeed for inviting me to Milton Keynes today to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of this unique and thriving New Town – or, perhaps, not so new now! I think fifty counts as comfortably middle aged.

When my Grandmother The Queen visited the site of a new green metropolis in April 1966, no-one could have imagined that the farmland that The Queen was shown would become the vibrant, diverse, creative and community-focused centre that it is today.

The vision and ambition of the Founders of this town is to be congratulated, as well as so many of you who have made Milton Keynes the success that it is.

One of the most impressive things about MK – if I may use the locals’ acronym – is that no-one lives more than a few minutes’ walk from a green space – an example of wonderful foresight and planning.

One of the fears of any visionary planning a new town, is that it will somehow lack heart. Not so here – as I have seen for myself.

There is a very strong sense of community and belonging in Milton Keynes; a busy cultural, heritage and arts scene; and a focus on greenery and sustainability that is optimistic about the future. All of this makes Milton Keynes unique and I have no doubt the town will continue to thrive over the next fifty years and beyond. A very Happy Birthday to you all.

Thank you.

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