- The couple wrap up their action packed trip to North America with a visit to two charity projects
- William speaks fondly of the trip at programme to honour the armed forces and the Tusk Trust where he is patron
After driving through an area with one of the biggest populations of homeless people in the U.S., Prince William and Kate Middleton boarded a commercial jet to fly back to the UK after saying goodbye to America.
Following a hugely successful tour of Canada and California, they are currently heading back to Britain having showcased the global popularity of the royal couple.
They were greeted by British Airways staff at Los Angeles airport as they boarded a homeward bound aeroplane from the U.S. on a sun-drenched runway - a marked difference to their blustery arrival at Ottawa airport over a week ago.
Arriving at LAX in a Range Rover they said their final goodbyes and receiving their last curtseys before jetting back to Britain on the BA flight.
It was the first official royal tour that the couple have embarked upon abroad and apart from a couple of minor demonstrations it has been heralded a huge success not just for William and Kate but for the British Royal Family.
Goodbye: The Duke and Duchess look back from the plane before getting on board after what has been a hugely successful first official foreign tour
Prince William puts a reassuring hand on his wife's back to usher her into the British Airways plane back the the UK after their trip to Canada and America
William and Kate arrived at a sunny LAX in a Range Rover before saying a few final goodbyes to well wishers on the tarmac ahead of their flight back to the UK
Some of the staff who will look after the royal couple lined up to greet them as they made their way to the flight which is due to land back in the UK today
The Duke and Duchess ascend the staircase to their BA flight, led by two BA cabin crew before turning to have one last look at California before their flight home
The couple were escorted to Los Angeles airport by a police motorcade with several motorbikes closing roads and police cars ensuring safe passage
They snubbed a private jet in favour of travelling on the commercial flight with the Duke and Duchess along with their entourage and security taking first class seats on the jumbo which was filled with everyday passengers
Speaking just before take-off at Sony Studios for Service Nation: Mission Serve - a program honouring members of the armed services - William thanked Los Angeles for welcoming him and his new wife.
'As this is my last opportunity before we leave this afternoon, I would just say, on behalf of us both, how grateful we are to have been welcomed so warmly in the Golden State and the City of Angels,' he said. 'Thank you so much.'
They have enjoyed an action-packed tour that has seen them take part in casual events, where their ease as a couple and love for one another was on frequent display, to the more formal, allowing William to show his statesman qualities.
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
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
Among their highlights they have taken part in a rowing race and a game of street hockey while the Duke was able to show off his piloting skills in Canada, landing a Sea King helicopter on water for the first time.
In the U.S., the 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.
Proud moment: William, who is a service officer, spoke highly of the workshop and hopes it can inspire veterans in their careers
Helping hand: William and his wife Kate help prepare care packages for military children
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.
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.
Worthy cause: William boxes USO care packages in a scheme he hopes can be adopted, and acted upon, in Britain while Kate looks on, her usual radiant self
Packed out: William made the audience laugh when he joked that his brother, Harry, was a 'low-flying Apache very average brother
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.'
Before heading to the airport they stopped at the charity, the Tusk Trust, where they met author Kristin Gore, actress Reece Witherspoon and heiress Jessica de Rothschild
William gets a good reaction from one of his jokes as he and Kate meet Charlie Mayhew, chief executive of the Tusk Trust, and director Meredith Ogilvie-Thompson
Kate chats to donors to the Tusk Trust, Ernie and Diane Burgess. Prince William is the royal patron for the charity which used their visit to launch the Trust's U.S. Patron Circle
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.
The Duke and Duchess took part in an impromptu walkabout outside their residence in LA to the delight of fans who posed for pictures with Kate
Kate speaks to the parent of a girl who appears a little bashful at meeting the Duchess
The crowds of public weren't as big in the U.S. as they were in Canada, but there were sufficient people to make the couple feel welcome
Full steam ahead: Kate cracks on with a drawing at the Inner-City Arts centre, but William was a little slower off the mark, looking as though he was asking for advice
Coming along nicely: Kate overseas the tortoise operation whilst in the background William seems mesmerised by the shell
Glamour: The couple looked spectacular as they joined Hollywood royalty for a red carpet event while, left, Kate and Nicole Kidman dazzle in their floor-length gowns
Nicole Kidman appears starstruck, smiling as she listens intently to Prince William... but then she breaks into a laugh as the prince pulls a face
Big moment: Kate talks to Tom Hanks and his wife Rita, left, while Jennifer Lopez puts a hand on William and listens intently while the Duchess laughs in the background
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