William and Kate break cover for first time since Harry Coronation …
Prince William and Kate Middleton have broken cover for the first time since Prince Harry's Coronation announcement. The Prince and Princess of Wales have made a trip to Birmingham to celebrate its diverse culture by meeting future leaders in the arts and creative industries. The couple greeted crowds during their first public appearance since it was revealed that Harry will be inside Westminster Abbey to watch King Charles and Queen Camilla being crowned on May 6.
William was the target of many of Harry's allegations in book Spare and his Netflix docu-series, so organisers are reportedly trying to keep the pair as far away from each other as possible. According to experts, "warm interactions" between the brothers are not anticipated and William has rejected his brother's demand for a meeting before the Coronation happens. Despite the tensions within the family, Kate and Wills were all smiles as they began an eventful day out in Brum.
The Prince and Princess of Wales at the Indian Streatery, Birmingham (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
The first stop on their visit will be local restaurant is The Indian Streatery, where they will meet the team as well as a group of local catering students from University College of Birmingham who are currently working there.
William and Kate will then host designers, artists and playwrights at The Rectory, a pub in the historic Jewellery Quarter. They will hear about how the sector is growing and their guests' experiences of opening and running a business in the city. The Prince and Princess of Wales will then join guests for a game of interactive darts downstairs in the 180 Club before greeting members of the public outside.
The Jewellery Quarter is a hub for artistic businesses in the city, which produces up to 40% of all jewellery made in the UK.
The royal couple visit Birmingham today, to celebrate the city's diverse culture and heritage (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
Kate and Wills are going to meet future leaders in the creative industries (Joseph Walshe / SWNS)
William is a keen Aston Villa supporter, so is a regular visitor to Birmingham to watch his side play at Villa Park. The heir to the throne has also started bringing football mad Prince George along for matches - with the nine-year-old recently enjoying watching a crunch match against Nottingham Forest. George was an adorable mini-me of William, mirroring his expressions and clutching his hands to the side of his face during one tense close call, with both wearing a navy blue jumper and pale blue open-necked shirt.
The young prince will have a starring role at the Coronation, while his siblings are expected to form part of the procession back to Buckingham Palace. But his cousins, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, have not been invited and will remain at their home in California with mum Meghan Markle.
Prince George enjoying the football with his dad (Getty Images)
According to insiders, Harry was cutely aware that the historic occasion will be "pretty much the most important day" of the King's life and knew he would regret not attending. However, he is not expected to take part in either the King's Procession or the Coronation Procession to and from Buckingham Palace, nor will he be on the famous balcony.
The "battling brothers" will allegedly keep their distance while putting on a united front for their father. It's been reported that William and Harry will be seated several rows away from each other to avoid any huge rows in front of the cameras.
Harry and William will be separated at the Coronation (In Pictures via Getty Images)
Due to the tensions within the Royal Family, Harry's arrival at Westminster Abbey will be meticulously crafted down to the exact minute. The Palace will be hoping to avoid any awkward confrontations, so are allegedly putting Harry several rows back behind the senior royals.
"There is no doubt that relations between William and Harry are at an all-time low," royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said. "They reportedly are not communicating and are unlikely to be seated near each other at Westminster Abbey. If Harry does, as is apparently intended, depart almost immediately for California after the ceremony, it is highly unlikely that any meaningful interactions with any members of the royal family will occur.
They know they can't trust him, and he is well aware as to why!"