The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Manchester

The Duke and Duchess's day in Manchester began with a visit to The National Football Museum, housed in Manchester's iconic Urbis building. The Duke and Duchess enjoyed meeting some of the brightest and best young Mancunians, who are making a difference to their communities before taking a tour of the museum, which aims to explain to fans and non-fans alike how and why football has become ‘the people’s game’, a key part of England’s heritage and way of life.

Next stop was to Manchester Town Hall, where Their Royal Highnesses attended a ceremony at the Cenotaph to lay commemorative paving stones honouring Manchester's six Victoria Cross recipients as part of the First World War Centenary campaign.

The Duke and Duchess then visited The National Graphene Institute at The University of Manchester. Whilst there, they saw the University's world leading research facilities and applied technology before visiting the site of the new Manchester Engineering Campus Development (MECD) currently under development, where they helped to seal a time capsule within the building's foundations. The new development aims to build on the city's science and engineering heritage by providing world class academic facilities.

The day concluded with a visit to Francis House, a hospice which provides care for children and young adults with life-limiting conditions. The hospice was opened in 1991 by Diana, Princess of Wales, and is this year celebrating its 25th Anniversary.

The Duke and Duchess toured the facilities, met families and volunteers, and officially opened Francis House's new Lodge facilities.