The Prince of Wales posed for selfies and enjoyed a sunny stroll along the pier as he visited Bournemouth this morning.
William, 43, made the trip to Dorset to hear about initiatives against homelessness in the area, as part of his work with Homewards – which aims to make rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a ‘rare, brief and unrepeated’ issue.
Enjoying the spring weather, the royal was dapper in a black suit and tie as he walked around the seaside town, passing a Ferris wheel and helter-skelter to talk to wellwishers.
Fans crowded around, and the father-of-three took photos and chatted with supporters.
The future King joined delegates from Australia, Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland, who travelled to see Homewards’ work in the UK.
With a specific focus on preventing youth homelessness, William also made his way to a secondary school in Poole on Thursday.
During his time at The Bourne Academy, the prince discussed how early education can be crucial in steering people away from rough sleeping.
The Prince of Wales posed for selfies and enjoyed a sunny stroll along the pier as he visited Bournemouth this morning
William, 43, made the trip to Dorset to hear about initiatives against homelessness in the area, as part of his work with Homewards – which aims to make rough sleeping, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary accommodation a ‘rare, brief and unrepeated’ issue
It’s been a busy week for William, who yesterday – along with his wife, the Princess of Wales, Charles and Camilla – welcomed the Nigerian President to Windsor for the country’s first state visit to the UK in nearly 40 years.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, were met by the King and Queen in the warm spring sunshine, after being escorted to a red-carpeted dais outside Windsor and Eton Riverside train station by William and Kate.
Green and white Nigerian flags lined the streets, alongside Union flags, and an oversized Royal Standard flew from the top of Windsor Castle‘s Round Tower. The King is hosting the Tinubus during their two-day visit.
William and Kate met the couple at luxury spa hotel Fairmont Windsor Park, before escorting them by car to Windsor town centre to formally meet the King and Queen.
The King and Queen then arrived at the Royal Dais in central Windsor, near the castle. Charles and Camilla were met with the national anthem, played by a military band.
The King wore a morning suit and carried a black top hat while the Queen was in a pink wool crepe dress by Fiona Clare and a pink beret shaped hat by Philip Treacy.
The future King joined delegates from Australia, Canada , Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland , who travelled to see Homewards’ work in the UK
With a specific focus on preventing youth homelessness, William also made his way to a secondary school in Poole on Thursday
During his time at The Bourne Academy, the prince discussed how early education can be crucial in straying people away from rough sleeping. The Prince of Wales posed for selfies and enjoyed a sunny stroll along the pier as he visited Bournemouth this morning
Camilla was also wearing the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Cartier flower clip pair of brooches, as crowds gathered on the streets of Windsor to watch the welcome.
The King, Camilla, William, Kate and Mr and Mrs Tinubu then travelled in a carriage procession in a show of traditional pomp and pageantry through Windsor to the castle’s quadrangle to see the Guard of Honour for the ceremonial welcome.
The princess opted for diplomatic royal dressing by wearing a coat dress by young British-Nigerian fashion designer Tolu Coker – after Charles made a surprise appearance in the front row of the artist’s London Fashion Week show last month.
Later in the day, William and Kate also made an appearance at a glitzy state banquet at Windsor Castle.
Princess Catherine looked impossibly regal in a flowing green evening gown by Andrew Gn with her favourite Lover’s Knot Tiara and earrings that belonged to Queen Elizabeth II.
She showed the guests the best of British hospitality, smiling warmly as she took her seat between the president and another of his entourage.
The rest of the present royals added to the dazzling display, with the Prince of Wales wearing white tie with the Windsor tailcoat and his Most Noble Order of the Garter Sash with the ‘Lesser George’.
William walked with Theo from Homewards’ National Co-Production Group and Hazel Detsiny, executive director of Homewards
Fans crowded around, and the father-of-three took photos and chatted with supporters
Enjoying the spring weather, the royal was dapper in a black suit and tie as he walked along the seaside, passing a Ferris wheel and Helter Skelter to talk to wellwishers
Meanwhile, Camilla sported a cream embroidered gown by Fiona Clare with a sapphire and diamond tiara with matching earrings, both belonging to Queen Elizabeth II and given to her by her late father, George VI, as a wedding gift.
The King also wore a blinding array of diamond-studded orders as he led the procession into the banquet hall and stood to give a speech.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu and his wife, First Lady Oluremi Tinubu, took their seats among the British royals for the crescendo of their two-day visit.
Running the length of St George’s Hall, a 155-foot dining table had been laden with sweet-smelling spring flowers gathered locally, bathed with the light of 143 candles.
Staff began laying the table out on Monday morning, and the finishing touches were made only a few hours before guests were due to sit down – little wonder with 960 knives and forks and 62 pepper pots for the 160 invited.
As well as the King, Queen, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, other royals attending included the Princess Royal and her husband, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Lawrence, the Duke of Edinburgh and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Notable Nigerians include author Sir Ben Okri, artist Yinka Shonibare, footballer Eniola Aluko, singer Tiwa Savage, presenter Ade Adepitan, athlete Christine Ohuruogu and Diana Awards chief Tessie Ojo.
In a speech, the King began by wishing his guests ‘peace, blessings and an abundance of joy’ during such a holy month.
He highlighted the fact that, in January, Nigeria became the UK’s biggest export market in Africa.
He also praised the UK’s large Nigerian diaspora, which he described as a ‘living bridge of over half a million people who connect our nations… and help make our cultures richer, our shared security stronger and our economies more prosperous’.
The King acknowledged that there are ‘chapters in our shared history that I know have left some painful marks’ but said that ‘history is not merely a record of what was done to us – it is a lesson in how we go forward together to continue building a future rooted in growth and hope for all, and worthy of of those who have borne the pains of the past’.
He concluded to cheers: ‘Naija No Dey Carry Last’ – Nigerians Never Come Last.
