NEW YORK: Britain’s Prince William met US President Barack Obama in the Oval Office yesterday as well-wishers braved the freezing cold to glimpse his pregnant wife, the Duchess of Cambridge, in
New York.
The royal pair parted company on day two of their second visit as a couple to the United States as they mix diplomacy with supporting their favourite causes and promoting British business.
William, wearing a dark suit, blue shirt and red tie, discussed illegal wildlife trading with Obama in a meeting hailed as a coup for the prince by British commentators.
Second in line to the throne after his father Prince Charles, the visit sees William doing more long-haul work for the British monarchy as Queen Elizabeth II approaches her nineties.
Obama is reportedly an ardent admirer of William’s grandmother, who hosted America’s first couple for a state visit in 2011, when the US president last met the 32-year-old British prince. Obama and William, known officially as the Duke of Cambridge since his wedding in 2011 to long-term girlfriend Kate Middleton, spoke to each other but did not address the press.
William flew to Washington DC without Kate, who is five months pregnant with the couple’s second child, and will address the World Bank on illegal wildlife trading after meeting Obama.
A Buckingham Palace representative said he flew first class on a commercial shuttle from New York, where his wife delighted a small group of well-wishers outside a local child development centre. Kate, who is due to give birth in April, wore a black coat by British label Goat called Washington, embellished with nude tabs on the cuffs and at the back, and finished with a nude collar.
Kate, who is travelling with her personal hairdresser, wore her auburn hair gently waved and half swept from her face to show off her coat, which retails at £680 ($1,063), to full effect. AFP
