The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have marvelled at a new bridge that Sunderland hopes will help with regeneration in the area.
William and Kate ended a trip to the North East by visiting the striking Northern Spire, already a major landmark and standing twice as high as Nelson’s Column and taller than Big Ben’s clock tower.
The Northern Spire – named following a public vote – will help reduce congestion around the city, speed up car journeys and allow land along both sides of the River Wear to be regenerated and developed.
The Sunderland City Council project – due to be completed this spring – was built over three years and cost £117 million, with the Government contributing around two-thirds of the funds and the council the rest.
The duchess seemed delighted when Shajida Begum, 18, drew a black flower with a swirl.
In the old engine room, TRH’s met local cultural groups.
The Duchess chats to members of the Young Asian Voices Youth Project – an organisation that provides affordable education, health, welfare & recreation. pic.twitter.com/oUyBvuRPEw
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 21, 2018
Miss Begum said: “I said ‘Would you like a design?’ and she was like ‘Yes, if you don’t mind’.
“She was saying that it was really pretty.
The @FireStationSun is one of Sunderland’s most iconic buildings, which was recently converted into a music and arts hub.
TRH start their visit with a fantastic Bollywood dancing performance! pic.twitter.com/O1sdAtEuTN
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) February 21, 2018
“I was just telling her how it works. I was telling her when she can wash it off – I said ‘when it becomes flakey’.”
Kate also asked the girls for a pack of bindis, which she said she wanted for her daughter Charlotte.
