Prince William showcased his caring side on Tuesday afternoon as he shared cuddles and high-fives with adorable schoolchildren waiting to welcome him to the West Midlands.
The beaming Prince of Wales, 42, proved he can be just as warm-hearted as his wife, Kate, while sharing sweet moments with the little fans from Fibbersley Park Primary Academy in Willenhall.
Thanks to her natural warmth and ability to connect with families, Kate is often referred to as the ‘Children’s Princess’ by royal enthusiasts – but her husband appeared to be just as capable of delighting the younger generations.
From inspiring laughter and cheer to sharing hugs and high-fives, the father-of-three seemed in his element as he greeted the young crowd at the Sporting Khalsa FC.
William, in his role as patron of the Football Association, visited a referee training course at the club as part of the FA’s Reflective and Representative campaign which aims to recruit 1,000 people from Black, Asian and Mixed Heritage backgrounds into refereeing roles.
The course started in July 2023 and combines theory and practical training to support those who are taking their first steps into officiating.
Participants on the course will be equipped with the key skills and knowledge needed to referee grassroots football matches safely and effectively and is aimed at people aged 14 and over who wish to referee mini football, 9 v 9 and 11 v 11 games.
During the visit, the prince met representatives from the FA and Sporting Khalsa to hear about the importance of opening up opportunities in football to young people from diverse backgrounds.
Prince William showcased his caring side on Tuesday afternoon as he shared cuddles and high-fives with adorable schoolchildren waiting to welcome him to the West Midlands
Following this, His Royal Highness then chatted to trainers of the refereeing course and professional referee and Lieutenant in the British Army, Levi Gray, to hear about her career journey.
William also joined a lesson with participants on the course to learn about the key skills involved in refereeing before he visited the pitch to engage with different stations teaching referee skills such as whistle tones and flag signals.
His Royal Highness then had the opportunity to practice being a referee in a mini football game alongside participants on the programme.
It comes after the Prince and Princess of Wales appeared more loved up than ever as they joined the King and Queen at the Commonwealth Day Service of celebration on Monday.
In sweet scenes that have delighted royal fans, Kate, 43, and William, 42, seemed to struggle to keep their eyes off each other during the annual occasion at Westminster Abbey in London.
Along with sharing plenty of affectionate looks, the royal couple proved they can still make each other laugh as they appeared to share several jokes with one another during the service.
In one moment, Kate turned to William and seemed to say something to him with a cheeky smile – which her husband chuckled at.
At the end of the service, when the guests stood up, the beaming duo seemed to erupt into laughter once more.
The beaming Prince of Wales, 42, proved he can be just as warm-hearted as his wife, Kate, while sharing sweet moments with the little fans from Fibbersley Park Primary Academy in Willenhall
From inspiring laughter and cheer to sharing hugs and high-fives, the father-of-three seemed in his element as he greeted the young crowd at the Sporting Khalsa FC
But they weren’t the only royals putting on an excited and gleeful display – King Charles and Queen Camilla also appeared full of cheer as they joined several Royal Family members at the Abbey.
Both Kate and her father-in-law were reluctantly forced to miss last year’s key royal event as they were undergoing treatment for their respective cancers.
As such, the Princess and her husband’s loved-up display has delighted royal fans who have been warmed to see them back in action as a royal power couple – taking part in their first joint engagement for months to mark St David’s Day a few weeks ago.
Their Royal Highnesses had taken time out of royal engagements last year while the mother-of-three was undergoing chemotherapy after cancerous cells had been discovered by doctors during an abdominal operation last January.
While Kate took several months out from public facing duties, William too scaled back his engagements in order to ensure he was able to support his wife and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six.
On Monday, Kate made her triumphant return to the Commonwealth Day Service of celebration for the first time in two years.
The Princess looked effortlessly elegant in her Catherine Walker Beau Tie coat dress, which she’s worn twice before in December 2022 and November 2023, as well as a matching £450 red hat from Gina Foster.
Walking alongside Prince William, the mother-of-three teamed her vibrant ensemble with her beloved Collingwood pearl and diamond earrings, which once belonged to Princess Diana, and the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Japanese four-strand pearl choker.
Sporting a stylish curly half-up half-down hairdo and a smattering of glamorous makeup, Kate couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she stepped out for the prestigious occasion.
This year the monarch led a large showing of senior royals which also included Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Kate showed she was just as thrifty as ever on Monday as she donned her red coat dress, which featured statement bow detailing at the neckline, for the third time.
Walking alongside Prince William, Kate, 43, dressed to impress in her red Catherine Walker Beau Tie coat dress, which she’s worn twice before in December 2022 and November 2023
In sweet scenes that have delighted royal fans, Kate, 43, and William, 42, seemed to struggle to keep their eyes off each other during the annual occasion at Westminster Abbey in London
Along with sharing plenty of affectionate looks, the royal couple proved they can still make each other laugh as they appeared to share several jokes with one another during the service
The Prince and Princess of Wales sit in Westminster Abbey for the service on Monday
Both Kate (pictured right) and her father-in-law were reluctantly forced to miss last year’s key royal event as they were undergoing treatment for their respective cancers
Kate showed she was just as thrifty as ever on Monday as she donned her red coat dress, which featured statement bow detailing at the neckline, for the third time
The Prince and Princess of Wales attend the annual Commonwealth Day service ceremony at Westminster Abbey in London
Kate and William leave after attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service at Westminster Abbey
King Charles and Queen Camilla also appeared full of cheer as they joined several Royal Family members at the Abbey
She first wore the elegant number for the Together At Christmas Carol Service at Westminster Abbey in December 2022 and again in November 2023, for the South Korean President’s State Visit. The Princess also has a black version of the dress.
For Kate’s necklace, the pearls were gifted to the late Queen during her first state visit to Japan in 1975, which was then constructed into the piece of jewellery by court jeweller Garrard.
Meanwhile, the pearl earrings worn by the Princess on Monday were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Charles in 1981.
The earrings, made by Collingwood, mark a touching handover from one Princess of Wales to the other.
They became firm favourites of Diana and were sported on royal tours of Australia, Canada and Italy.
The earrings feature a round diamond stud, from which is suspended an additional round diamond and a bell cap set with three more rows of small diamonds. The bell caps each contain a pearl drop.
Diana began wearing the earrings before she was Princess of Wales. They were a gift from Collingwood, a jewellery firm that was a favourite of the Spencer family.
She wore them on several occasions throughout her marriage. They made her gala outfits sparkle during her tour of the US in 1985, where she wore them with a lacy white gown and the Lover’s Knot tiara for a gala dinner at the British Embassy.
Sporting a stylish curly half-up half-down hairdo and a smattering of glamorous makeup, Kate couldn’t keep the smile from her face as she stepped out for the prestigious occasion
On Monday, Kate made her triumphant return to the Commonwealth Day Service of celebration for the first time in two years.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla attend the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey, in London
King Charles III and Queen Camilla after attending the annual Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration at Westminster Abbey
Camilla wore a pink wool crepe and satin coat dress by Fiona Clare and pink beret hat by Philip Treacy
She also wore them with the form-fitting black dress she sported as she attended the Vanity Fair party at the Serpentine Gallery in November 1994 in London, which then later become known as the Revenge Dress. Kate has worn the earrings several times.
William and Kate were welcomed by Dr David Hoyle, Dean of Westminster, ahead of the arrival of the King and Queen.
The monarch and his wife then arrived, with Camilla wearing a pink wool crepe and satin coat dress by Fiona Clare and pink beret hat by Philip Treacy.
Among the stars joining them at the event were former Spice Girl Geri Halliwell, cycling legend Sir Chris Hoy with his wife Sarra Kemp and actress Baroness Floella Benjamin.
Also in attendance were Prime Minister Keir Starmer, his deputy Angela Rayner, the Foreign Secretary David Lammy, Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, Prime Minister of Samoa Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa and the Commonwealth Secretary-General, Baroness Scotland.
The royal party were greeted by the Dean and Westminster before meeting members of the Shree Muktajeevan Swamibapa Pipe Band, a community band from the world’s first Hindu eco-temple in Kingsbury, north London.
Following their performance at the Great West Door, the King – who is head of the Commonwealth – and his family formed a procession behind the Commonwealth Mace Bearer, three-time Paralympic champion and two-time world champion track cyclist Kadeena Cox.
Heritage Sanmi Lawal, a Commonwealth Youth Gender and Equality Network member from Nigeria, carried the Commonwealth flag.
Kate was the image of glamour in her scarlet ensemble, accessorised with pearl jewellery, on Monday
The Princess was effortlessly elegant, sporting a chic all-red outfit for the occasion this Monday
She showed off her stunning healthy tresses, which were styled in waves, for the event on Monday
For Kate’s necklace, the pearls were gifted to the late Queen during her first state visit to Japan in 1975, which was then constructed into the piece of jewellery by court jeweller Garrard
Meanwhile, the pearl earrings worn by the Princess (pictured alongside Prince William) were gifted to Diana before her wedding to Charles in 1981
The Princess of Wales curtseys at the Commonwealth Day service
The Prince and Princess of Wales sing at Westminster Abbey at the service
The Prince and Princess of Wales and the Princess Royal at Westminster Abbey
Kate smiles as she arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
The Prince and Princess of Wales arrive at the Commonwealth Day service
King Charles III arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
Queen Camilla walks into the annual Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
Following the end of the service, Kate and William were spotted leaving Westminster Abbey together with the Princess of Wales clutching a bouquet of flowers while the Prince held the programmes as the pair chatted animatedly.
It comes as the King emphasised the ‘vital role’ of the global ‘family of nations’ at a time of international conflict and uncertainty in his annual message.
He said: ‘Last October, leaders from across the Commonwealth came together in Samoa to reaffirm their “belief in the value of the Commonwealth as a trusted forum where diverse voices of our member states, the large and the small, the young and the old, come together as one family.”
‘In these uncertain times, where it is all too easy to believe that our differences are problems instead of a source of strength and an opportunity for learning, the Commonwealth’s remarkable collection of nations and peoples come together in the spirit of support and, crucially, friendship.’
The Commonwealth is one of the world’s oldest political associations of states, with its roots in the British Empire.
However the last four countries to join the 56 member organisation had no links with British colonialism, emphasising its role as a voluntary organisation of independent and equal nations.
Its population is in excess of 2.7 billion, with some 60 per cent aged 29 or under, and a combined GDP of more than $13 trillion.
To mark Commonwealth Day, a global celebration of the organisation, the King also highlighted how, as the world marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two, more than one a half million men and women who fought and served in it came from member states.
King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Princess Royal and The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the Commonwealth Day service
The Princess of Wales arrives at the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attend the annual Commonwealth Day service
Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his deputy Angela Rayner at Westminster Abbey
Geri Halliwell arrives for the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey
He said: ‘The Commonwealth’s ability to bring together people from all over the world has stood the test of time and remains as ever-important today.
‘Leaders recently reiterated the importance of collaboration for peace and human rights, as well as for the restoration of nature both on land and in the oceans.
‘As we mark this Commonwealth Day together, there is no more important task than to restore the disrupted harmony of our entire planet.
‘For the sake of our younger generations’ threatened future, I can only hope that the Commonwealth will continue its vital work to restore that harmony.’
This year’s Commonwealth Day theme is ‘Together We Thrive’, celebrating the ‘enduring spirit of the Commonwealth family’.
Monday’s service featured special musical performances including traditional Masai singers, percussionists, musicians, acrobats and dancers, as well as Joan Armatrading CBE reforming an arrangement of Love and Affection.
Since 1969, the King has visited 48 of the Commonwealth states.
