Royal Couple Visit NYC Day 2: Kate Middleton Visits Children in Harlem, Royals Meet Beyonce and Jay Z at NBA Game
It was another busy day for Prince William and Kate Middleton as the royal couple took on several engagements on their second day in New York City.
While the Prince paid President Barack Obama a visit at the White House, the Duchess stayed in New York and met up with New York First Lady Chirlane McCray, and they visited the Northside Center for Child Development in Harlem. The children were quite taken by the Duchess as she talked to them, and it was reported that they mistook her for Princess Elsa from the Disney's "Frozen." Later she joined a few Harlem grandmothers and helped them wrap presents for some of New York's poorest children.
NCCD director of early child services Rose Ann Harris said, "The visit meant everything to the children, they were thrilled and it acknowledges all the hard work of the staff."
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After his visit with President Obama, Prince William flew back to New York to attend an event to recognize the work of The Tusk Trust and other partners of the Prince's charity United for Wildlife at the British Consul General's Residence, and he was joined by the Duchess. The royal couple chatted with the guests, and among them were former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea. It was reported that the Duchess spoke with Clinton about the benefits of singing to babies and her visit to Harlem earlier in the day.
In the evening, the couple headed to the Barclay Center to watch their first NBA game—a match between the Brooklyn Nets against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The crowd cheered the royal couple as they entered the center before the second half of the game. They were seated with NBA legend Dikembe Mutombo, who has been made an ambassador for United for Wildlife.
At the game, the Prince and the Duchess shared a bag of popcorn with Mutombo as they watched LeBron James lead the Cavaliers to victory. Meanwhile, Beyonce and Jay Z were also at the game, and later they approached the royal couple and exchanged greetings. Fans cheered and photographers jostled for prime position to get photos of the four. According to Daily Mail, the Kensington Palace courtiers had already arranged with NBA officials that the two couples would meet during the third and fourth quarters of the game.
After the game, the royals appeared quite impressed with the NBA players as Prince William said to LeBron James, "It was good, really good. Our first time." James also reportedly asked the Prince what size shoes he wore. "About the size of yours," quipped the Prince, and the Duchess was seen bursting into fits of giggles at her husband's wit. The Cavaliers also presented the couple with a yellow jersey that said "Cambridge 7" on it, and a smaller maroon jersey for Prince George.
Dec. 9 will see the royals as they go on their final engagements in New York before flying back to the UK in the evening.
