Today, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge undertook their first joint engagement of the year. They visited Coventry with a daylong itinerary.
Cheers for the arrival of William and Kate @CovCathedral pic.twitter.com/BfXVvIYwN5
— Simon Perry (@SPerryPeoplemag) January 16, 2018
Upon arrival, hundreds of royal fans were waiting for their arrival. They were given a huge and warm welcome in Coventry.
Kate chatting to the line-up in Coventry today, saying thank you to the woman who helped put together their programme pic.twitter.com/AJdTlKuhSu
— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) January 16, 2018
The visit was to congratulate the city on becoming the new UK City of Culture and to open Coventry University’s new Science and Health Building. The couple thanked the Coventry locals who helped put together their programme.
The first stop of the day was the Coventry Cathedral which dates back to the 15th Century. Before going inside the couple met the people waiting for them outside the Cathedral.
The couple chatted with locals and The Duchess of Cambridge received flowers and teddy bears.
Prince William and Kate have made their way through the crowds and are now at The Cross of burnt roof timbers. #coventryroyalvisit pic.twitter.com/MyGHvPH66f
— CoventryCityCouncil (@coventrycc) January 16, 2018
Then the Duke and Duchess toured the cathedral and see the ruins of the original building which was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombs during WWII.
The new Cathedral was completed in 1962 and consecrated that year in the presence of The Queen accompanied by Princess Margaret.
After the tour, the couple met the local community gathered inside the cathedral. And then took part in the Coventry Litany of Reconciliation. The Litany is prayed at noon each weekday in Coventry Cathedral and in the Cathedral ruins on Fridays by those inspired by its story. The prayer hopes to encourage a culture of reconciliation and peace.
They also met staff and volunteers at the Cathedral Rising Café – a social enterprise aimed at providing work and opportunity for those overcoming drug and alcohol addictions.
At the café a selection of beautifully decorated cakes, scones were prepared for the couple with afternoon tea. There Catherine also revealed that she does not like Almond despite the reports that led the volunteers there to place it on the menu.
The next stop was Coventry University. The couple was there to open the new Science and Health Building of Coventry University.
That moment when… The Duke & Duchess arrive at our brand new @CU_HLS Science & Health building! ❤️ #RoyalVisit pic.twitter.com/SeOAy7cWdZ
— Coventry University (@covcampus) January 16, 2018
The £59 million facility trains nurses, midwives, paramedics, and other health professionals using the latest technology and simulation methods.
William and Catherine met the staff and volunteers. They also met some of the patients at the facility.
The couple was given the tour of the facility and briefed about the facilities provided to patients there.
This facility is the only of its kind in the UK, where students can learn to care for a patient at every stage of their medical experience; from paramedics arriving at their house and their ambulance journey to their stay in the hospital, through to their rehabilitation at home.
GRAND OPENING MOMENT! 🎥
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have just completed their ‘patient journey’ and tour of the Science & Health Building, so now it’s time to officially open! 🎉👑 #RoyalVisit pic.twitter.com/nNa7ZvNGXc
— Coventry University (@covcampus) January 16, 2018
After the tour William and Catherine officially opened the Science & Health Building.
The final stop of today’s itinerary was the Positive Youth Foundation.
The Foundation works with over 2,500 young people each year, living in challenging circumstances, and provides services to help them make positive lifestyle choices.
The Royal couple joined a session for young people newly arrived in the UK and saw first-hand the work of the foundation. The charity formed an integral part of Coventry’s successful UK City of Culture 2021 bid.
William and Kate watch a performance from young people at @positiveyouth96 pic.twitter.com/PYFgb41xHG
— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) January 16, 2018
At PYF the couple watched a number of performances.
The Duchess joined in the mental health discussion while William headed towards the music and sports area of the foundation.
At the end of the Catherine was given a PYF kit as a gift for her third baby.
For today’s day out once again The Duchess of Cambridge chose another maternity piece from her second pregnancy. She wore a cerise pink Mulberry coat that she first wore in 2014 for the New York trip.
The coat was described as,” ‘A double-breasted coat is a timeless winter style with a reassuringly classic silhouette. Updated in vibrant cerise, this version has beautiful finishing details including elegant horn buttons and contrasting midnight blue lining.”
The Duchess paired the coat with her trusty Tod’s black suede block heel pumps.
She carried her black suede Mulberry clutch and wore Cornelia James Beatrice gloves.
Kiki McDonough Morganite earrings finished the look.
It was an excitement-filled day full of different activities that both Coventry and the royal couple enjoyed.
Thanks for the wonderful article