Prince William and Kate Middleton visit South Yorkshire on Prince Charles' 70th birthday



kate middleton yorkshire
Ainhoa Barcelona
Ainhoa BarcelonaRoyal Managing Editor
Updated: November 14, 2018
Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, stands with two other individuals by an orange sports car.© Photo: WENN

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were in high spirits as they stepped out on Prince Charles' landmark 70th birthday, visiting South Yorkshire. William and Kate, who looked elegant in a royal blue coat dress, kicked off their northern engagement by officially opening McLaren Automotive's new Composites Technology Centre. Their second stop took them to Barnsley's local Centrepoint hostel; William has been Patron of Centrepoint charity since 2005.

At McLaren, Their Royal Highnesses were shown the process of designing and constructing lightweight carbon fibre 'tubs', which form the internal shell of all McLaren cars. They were shown the prototype manufacturing line that includes industrial processes for cutting and fitting carbon fibre.

Click through to see the best photos of William and Kate's day out…

Kate Middleton stands by a car, wearing a blue dress and holding a clutch, smiling.© Photo: WENN

Kate looked incredible as always - stunning onlookers in a blue coat dress by Eponine London. She wore her long brunette hair in her trademark bouncy blow dry and her makeup looked typically flawless - nude lipstick and a flick of black eyeliner accentuated her pretty features.

Kate Middleton, smiling, in a blue dress and holding a black clutch.© Photo: WENN

The Duchess accessorised with a navy Smythson clutch and her favourite navy court shoes.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in a navy suit, talks to a man in a gray suit. A woman in a blue dress stands nearby.© Photo: WENN

William and Kate met those working in the McLaren factory and heard about plans for the Centre's expansion that will provide 200 new jobs for the local area.

Prince William and Kate Middleton stand with a group of people in a factory, smiling and observing machinery.© Photo: Getty Images

The royals were shown the prototype manufacturing line that includes industrial processes for cutting and fitting carbon fibre.

Prince William and Kate Middleton walk through a factory with two other individuals.© Photo: Getty Images

The couple also chatted to some of McLaren's STEM Ambassadors, who explained their work encouraging children to get involved in science-based learning and careers.

Kate Middleton in blue dress and William in suit talking to a crowd.© Photo: PA

The Duke and Duchess' second engagement saw them travel to Barnsley where they visited one of Centrepoint's services, which supports over 60 homeless young people from the local area every day.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, in a suit, stands in a kitchen with others wearing aprons.© Photo: Getty Images

William and Kate helped prepare lunch in the kitchen before sitting down with residents to talk about their experiences. "Don't look at how evenly I cut it," Kate joked as she sliced a loaf while William stirred some soup.

Two women in yellow aprons in a kitchen, one holding a plate of bread.© Photo: PA

"I think I cut some rather big slices," Kate remarked, while her husband added: "Don't be put off by the size of Catherine's bread. They’re enough to wedge the door."

Prince William and Kate Middleton sit at a table with others in a kitchen setting.© Photo: Getty Images

As they sat down with the young people in the Centrepoint hostel, William tried to put his neighbours at ease with "this is not your usual lunch".

Prince William and Kate Middleton serve food to two seated individuals at a table.© Photo: Getty Images

In Barnsley, Centrepoint works to provide young people with accommodation and support to get them back into education, training and employment. Last year 7,000 young people in Yorkshire and the Humber approached their local authority because they were homeless or at risk.

Prince William and Kate Middleton sit at a table with others, reviewing documents.© Photo: Getty Images

After lunch, the royals visited Centrepoint's new Andy Norman Learning Hub. The Hub has been built to provide a dedicated space and resources for young people at risk of homelessness in Barnsley, which will enable them to improve their skills and move towards independence. The couple chatted to those who use the Learning Hub before officially opening it.

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