Huge crowds gathered at the Royal Liverpool Hospital for Prince and Princess of Wales.
The Royal couple were invited to the new hospital to meet staff and officially open it today. Kate was seen wearing a dark dress under a double-breasted green and blue tartan coat, while Prince William wore a green jumper and a dark coloured blazer.
The Royal Highnesses waved at those gathered outside the new hospital, which opened its doors in October 2022 after five years of delays and problems. As the couple entered the new hospital they were greeted with huge crowds and cheers in the atrium area.
READ MORE: Woman, 81, shouts six powerful words to Prince William
After saying hello to staff and patients they were shown around the critical care unit and spoke to staff about what it is like to work on the ward. Speaking after meeting the Royal couple, Sarah Lawson - a sister on the critical care unit - said it was "so lovely meeting them in person".
Sarah had met William on a Zoom call a few years ago during the pandemic, she said: "It was great to meet his Royal Highness for a second time and this time face to face. He focused a lot around covid and how staff were coping after covid.
"He seemed really interested in staff mental health and staff well-being. It was really nice to talk about the struggles we have been through and how we're coping."
After chatting to porters, catering and security staff and healthcare assistants, William and Kate were greeted once again with huge crowds in the atrium and canteen area. It was packed full, with people lining the ground and first floor.
Patients could also be seen at the windows of the ward on the first floor. Kathleen Woodside, a patient at the Royal, could be seen waving at the window from her ward.
One person who was in the crowd was 81-year-old Sylvia who managed to have a chat with William. She said to William: “Keep going Will, Scousers love you.” To which he replied: “I will do.” She said she couldn’t believe she managed to speak to him.
It comes after a number of people managed to speak to the Royals, with some even getting selfies with them. This is not usually the done thing, as Royal protocol is said to not allow this to happen.
The rule became publicly known after Meghan Markle admitted she was not allowed to take a selfie with a fan shortly after starting her relationship with Prince Harry. The Duchess of Sussex, in line with royal protocol, told one couple in December 2017: "We're not allowed to do selfies", according to the Mirror.
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