Prince William, Kate to visit 9/11 site

BRITAIN'S Prince William and his wife, Kate, are scheduled to visit one of New York City's most sombre sites, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum.

THE Tuesday morning visit to the site, where 67 British citizens were among those who died, the most of any foreign country, is coming on the last day of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's trip.

The visit to New York City and Washington was the first time either of them has visited those cities. A handful of onlookers braved heavy rain and wind to await a glimpse of the royals on the memorial plaza. "I love them so much," said Kristina Crossan, a 24-year-old teacher. Her mother, Marianne Crossan, called the weather "a small price to pay". Ariana Lesko, a 19-year-old student at the Fashion Institute of Technology, said Kate "was just a regular girl" before marrying William. "She's just so down to earth and I think it gives the rest of us normal girls some hope." On Tuesday evening, William and Kate are expected at a black-tie fundraiser for the University of St Andrews, where they both got their degrees. On Monday, William went to the White House and spoke at a World Bank conference. Kate wrapped Christmas gifts and helped children decorate picture frames while touring a child development centre with New York City's first lady, then talked technology, theatre and more with a British-success-story guest list at a lunch at the consul general's home. The duchess and first lady Chirlane McCray met with families and heard about the work of the Northside Centre for Child Development, which offers mental health and educational services. In the evening, the couple attended a reception at the British Consul General's residence co-hosted by the Royal Foundation and the Clinton Foundation, celebrating conservation efforts. When they arrived, they spent some time talking with former Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, Chelsea Clinton and her husband, Marc Mezvinsky. William spoke to the crowd, and then he and Kate then headed to the Barclays Centre in Brooklyn to watch a basketball game between the Brooklyn Nets and the Cleveland Cavaliers.