The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Coventry

On 16 January, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited Coventry for a day of engagements.

Their Royal Highnesses visit began with a tour of Coventry Cathedral, which dates back to the 15th Century. Though the original building was destroyed by Luftwaffe bombs in 1940, ruins of the original building are still visible. A new cathedral was completed in 1962 and consecrated that year in the presence of The Queen, accompanied by Princess Margaret.

The Duke and Duchess 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.

The Duke and Duchess also joined staff and volunteers at the Rising Café, a social enterprise aimed at providing work and opportunity for those overcoming drug and alcohol addictions.

The Duke and Duchess then opened Coventry University's new Science and Health Building. The £59 million facility trains nurses, midwives, paramedics and other health professionals using the latest technology and simulation methods.

It 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 hospital, through to their rehabilitation at home.

Finally Their Royal Highnesses saw first-hand the work of the Positive Youth Foundation in the city. 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. TRH joined a session for young people newly arrived into the UK.

The charity formed an integral part of Coventry’s successful UK City of Culture 2021 bid.