We salute you: William and Kate wrap up their U.S. tour by paying tribute to brave Americans who serve in the military

By REBECCA ENGLISH


That's my boy! Prince William gives a speech at the job-fair, and it seems to go down well with his wife Kate who applauds


The royal couple's last event saw them attend a jobs fair at Sony Pictures Studio staged by Service Nation: Mission Serve.

The body is an umbrella organisation set up by the US government which brings together different service charities to support the re-integration of servicemen and women into civvy street.

The royal couple arrived in a motorcade with an escort of 17 officers from the Californian Highway Patrol - affectionately known as Chips - who had British flags fixed to the back of their large bikes.



Impressed: William warms up for his speech at the ServiceNation: Mission Serve event which helps get ex-servicemen into employment; he spoke of how he and Kate both had friends in the UK that could benefit from such a scheme


All smiles: The final leg of the royal visit saw William and Kate attend a job fair designed to get ex-servicemen back into work


The couple were greeted by Sir Howard Stringer chairman and chief executive of Sony Corporation and then led inside a building for a 25 minute-long private meeting with the senior staff from Service Nation: Mission Serve.

In Sound Stage 15, a huge 42,000 square foot open-plan building, dozens of business recruitment stands for the former US servicemen and women were set up.



Proud moment: William, who is a service officer, spoke highly of the workshop and hopes it can inspire veterans in their careers


Sets from iconic movies were built in the huge area from the yellow brick road from the Wizard of Oz to elements of the latest Spiderman movie and Sir Paul McCartney has used it as a rehearsal space.

The royal couple were cheered by the ex-servicemen and women and their partners who were attending the fair when they arrived, and the couple did a short walkabout.



Helping hand: William and his wife Kate help prepare care packages for military children


On stage with an enormous 60ft American flag in the background the Duke gave a speech.

The royal said: 'This is the last event on our tour of North America, but to my mind, it is one of the most important.

'This is because it is about men and women who - of their own free will - choose to put their life on the line for their country.'



He added: "Service Nation Mission Serve, and all the companies and employers taking part today, are providing opportunities which mean something very immediate and personal to us.

'Catherine and I both have friends back in Britain who could benefit from a brilliant initiative like this.'

William made the audience laugh by taking a swipe at his brother Prince Harry: 'I am delighted, therefore, that our Foundation – and in that I include my low-flying Apache very average brother – is a partner in today’s event.'



Packed out: William made the audience laugh when he joked that his brother, Harry, was a 'low-flying Apache very average brother


The royal went on to tell the audience 'how grateful we are to have been welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and the City of Angels. Thank you so much.'

The couple then filled boxes given to youngsters whose parents have been deployed to Afghanistan.

William and Kate were first shown a teddy bear called Cuzzie who was dressed in a scarf, goggles, jacket that was one of the main items.

The royal couple stood next to each other and filled the package with a journal for the children to jot down their feelings,

dogtags, so they can be just like mum or dad, a DVD that takes them through the issues around deployment, and postcards to send to the frontline.

When william picked up the popular American toy - Uno playing card - he said: 'I haven't seen these in ages, I used to play this a lot,' then put it in the box.
The couple then left to catch their scheduled flight back to the UK.


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source :dailymail

Posted in: Celebrities,News Update,Royal Wedding 2011