The couple's first stop was McLaren Automotive’s new Composites Technology Centre in Rotherham.
The new McLaren Composites Technology Centre will be used to innovate the process of designing and constructing lightweight carbon fibre ‘tubs’, which form the internal shell of all McLaren cars. Rotherham Biz reports: "A £50m investment has been made in developing and manufacturing the future of lightweighting technology with the soon to-open facility on the Advanced Manufacturing Park (AMP) in Rotherham. It is the supercar manufacturer's second only production facility and the first outside its native Woking. McLaren recently took the keys for the new 75,000 sq ft facility that will enable the development and manufacture of the Monocell and Monocage carbon fibre chassis used in future McLaren models."
A McLaren 570s on display.
William and Kate were shown the prototype manufacturing line that includes industrial processes for cutting and fitting carbon fibre.
The carbon fibre car chassis produced here will then be assembled at McLaren’s site in Woking, which William visited last year.
The couple were joined by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Bahrain.
They met those working in the factory and heard about plans for the centre’s expansion that will provide 200 new jobs for the local area.
Some of McLaren’s STEM Ambassadors were present at the event and spoke to the Duke and Duchess about their work encouraging children to get involved in science-based learning and careers.
A video from the McLaren visit.
The Duke and Duchess' next port of call was in Barnsley where they visited one of Centrepoint’s services, which supports over 60 homeless young people from the local area every day. Last year 7,000 young people in Yorkshire and the Humber approached their local authority because they were homeless or at risk.
Centrepoint is the UK's leading charity for homeless young people. Together with their partners, they support 10,000 young people every year. They help 16 to 25-year-olds into a safe place to live, give them a health assessment and plan support for their individual mental and physical health needs. From there, the focus is on assisting them in gaining independence and employment.
William has been patron of Centrepoint since 2005. The charity holds a special place in his heart; as children William and Harry paid private visits with their mother who was patron from 1992 until her death. To highlight the issue of homelessness the Prince spent a night on the streets in 2009. To mark 40 years of the charity, William made a speech at a celebratory event in 2008. He recalled the days he visited with the late Princess of Wales: "That example of selfless service that Centrepoint represents has stayed with me, and that is why it was the first charity that I wanted to be associated with.’ He also said he had witnessed, first hand, ‘the extraordinary courage of so many of Centrepoint’s young people in rising to meet such seemingly insurmountable challenges in their lives."
In Barnsley, Centrepoint is working to provide these young people with accommodation and support to get them back into education, training and employment.
William and Kate helped prepare lunch in the kitchen before sitting down with residents to talk about their experiences.
Whilst cutting the bread, Kate joked: "Don't look at how evenly I cut it!"
Simon Perry reports:
'At the charity’s hostel — which serves 60 young people from the area — William and Kate helped prepare lunch by stirring Omero’s Red Pepper and Chorizo soup and cutting bread.
The soup was the winning recipe in the “Big Broth” project, which raises money for Centrepoint through grocery sales. William then took a tray and gingerly walked into a second kitchen to sit down with two young people who’ve been helped by Centrepoint and two staffers for a bite to eat.
“I’m doing my balancing-the-soup act,” the royal dad joked as he moved down the right corridor. “Sorry to keep you waiting for your lunch — we’ve been talking too much as usual.”
As they sat down, William tried to put his neighbors at ease by noting, “This is not your usual lunch.” Added Kate: “I think I cut some rather big slices.” “Don’t be put off by the size of Catherine’s bread,” William countered. “They’re enough to wedge the door.”
Lunch is served.
After lunch, the Duke and Duchess 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.
Before departing, they unveiled a plaque.
The double wool garment features a collar with notch cut outs, three-quarter length sleeves and a full skirt.
The Duchess teamed the piece with her navy Rupert Sanderson Malory pumps.
Kate's new clutch is the £450 Smythson Panama Purse (with thanks to Perth Fashion). The clutch can be personalised and comes in multiple colours on the Smythson website.
The Duchess wore her Cartier Ballon Bleu watch.
And her sapphire and diamond earrings.
