Prince William and Kate Middleton arrive in Birmingham wearing Aston Villa’s colours - gallery

Prince William and Kate Middleton arrived in Birmingham today (April 20) as crowds of people gathered in the city to welcome the royal couple.

The Prince and Princess of Wales are meeting with artists, designers and playwrights at The Rectory on St Paul’s Square in the Jewellery Quarter to hear about how the creative industries sector is growing in the West Midlands. Prince William, who is an avid Aston Villa fan, and Kate, also played a game of darts downstairs at the bar and restaurant in its 180 Club, before meeting the public outside.

The couple arrived in the city, maybe coincidentally, wearing the colours of Aston Villa. Kate wore a claret dress, while William was wearing a light blue shirt with his suit. The Prince and Princess of Wales’s visit is the couple’s first after taking some time out from royal engagements during the Easter holidays.

The visit comes three weeks ahead of King Charles III coronation in London, which is also being celebrated across Birmingham with a big screen and entertainment announced for Centenary Square and applications open for residents to host local street parties. The deadline to apply for a permit is Friday (April 21).

Here are some photos from the couple’s visit so far today: