The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in New York for a 48-hour visit that will include a meeting for Prince William with President Obama at the White House, and a tour of the 9/11 Memorial in lower Manhattan.
The Royal Couple - making their first joint visit to America’s East Coast - will also meet Hillary and Chelsea Clinton….visit organizations specializing in youth and child development…..and attend an NBA basketball game.
As our US correspondent Simon Marks reports, New York and Washington are agog.
IN: “Even before….”
OUT: SOC
DUR: 3:10
TRX
Even before William and Kate’s plane touched down here (last night), Americans were being prepared for the arrival of the Royal Couple.
On morning television…..
AXX
On America’s late-night shows…..
AXX
And at the White House where, on Friday, spokesman Josh Earnest confirmed Prince William will visit President Obama and Vice President Biden.
It’ll be the Duke’s first visit to Washington.
AXX
Over the next 48 hours the Royal Couple have a very full schedule…and will be splitting up for part of their time in the US.
While William is at the White House, then the World Bank to make a speech about the illegal wildlife trade….Kate will be back in New York visiting Harlem, and touring an early child development center….one of three youth-related projects she’ll visit.
Amanda Peck is the Assistant Director of one of them: The Door.
AXX
William and Kate will meet up again later on Monday for an event about wildlife conservation that they’re co-hosting with Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.
They’ll watch the Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers — that’s basketball for the uninitiated.
And on Tuesday…they’ll be together for what, in many ways is the centerpiece of their visit….a tour of the 9/11 Memorial Museum in lower Manhattan, where they’ll pay tribute to those who lost their lives in the Al Qaeda attacks on America.
Throughout, they’ll be staying at the so-called “Tower of Power”…New York’s storied Carlyle Hotel
SFX
The cabaret of Eartha Kitt was a staple in its bar.
Famous guests have included John F. Kennedy, Michael Jackson and Princess Diana.
The actress Elaine Stritch liked the place so much…she lived there.
While William and Kate have not visited New York together before…Manhattan did go mad for them just a few months ago.
SFX
This was the sound when their waxworks went on display at the New York branch of Madame Tussauds.
SFX
Many of the same paparazzi are likely to dog their steps over the next two days as the US - a country with no royal family of its own - is back in a frenzy over ours.
Simon Marks, LBC, Washington.
Many of the same paparazzi are likely to dog their steps over the next two days as the US - a country with no royal family of its own - in a frenzy over Britain’s.
SOC