Manchester gives Wills & Kate a king-sized welcome
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attract crowds of well-wishers in Manchester
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge got a king-sized Manchester welcome on an official visit to the region (Friday 14th October).
The royal couple attended the unveiling of commemorative paving stones for six Mancunians who were awarded the Victoria Cross.
Crowds thronged to watch the emotional service in the city centre as the Duke and Duchess were welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Manchester, Councillor Carl Austin-Behan.
William and Kate next visited the University of Manchester to tour the National Graphene Institute.
Graphene is the world's first two-dimensional material and is 200 times stronger than steel. It was isolated from graphite by physicists Sir Andre Geim and Sir Kostya Novoselov in 2004, and demonstrating its properties won them the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010.
They also viewed the world's first graphene car made by Briggs Automotive Company in partnership with Haydale.
The final visit of the day was a touching, personal one for William and Kate as they visited Francis House Children's Hospice, providing care for around 200 children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
The final visit of the day was a touching, personal one for William and Kate as they visited Francis House Children's Hospice, providing care for around 200 children and young adults with life-limiting conditions.
The centre was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, 25 years ago, a time still fondly remembered by some of the staff still working at the hospice.
Beaming smiles greeted the royal visitors from the children present, with the royal couple spending their time chatting to the youngsters and their parents.
Natalie Hands, clinical lead at the hospice, was present when Diana visited for the opening in 1991, and spoke to William today.
Ms Hands said: He said it's nice to have a family connection, his family connection and it feels very family here. It has a nice family feel to it.
It's absolutely fantastic, just amazing that they can come here. It means so much to the families. It is just brilliant to know that the future king and queen of England are interested, just want to come and visit us.
What a privilege, just what a privilege it is.''
Ms Hands said Diana's visit raised the awareness and profile of the hospice for years and today's royal visitors lit up the lives of those at the hospice.
She continued: It means a lot... everyone is dressed up today, but their day-to-day life is living with some very difficult questions and unknown futures, really for a lot of them. That day-to-day living and supporting them is what we do.
So we see a very different side to the families, but today just having William and Kate here it means so much really. It means that they have been noticed really because quite often they have been marginalised.''
PL