William and Kate mark Cambridgeshire County Day

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have observed the first ever Cambridgeshire County Day, that showcased its people and organisations.

The event was held at Newmarket's July racecourse, near the Suffolk border.

Before attending the event, the royal couple were at the Fitzwilliam Museum in Cambridge, where the first official painted portrait of the pair was unveiled.

They also visited a local children's hospice and a homelessness charity.

The duchess is patron of East Anglia's Children's Hospices (Each) and the couple took time to visit its branch in Milton, close to Cambridge.

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the duchess's patronage of Each, but it was her first public visit to the hospice and the first time the duke had accompanied her to see the work of the charity.

The couple toured the site, which was opened by Diana, Princess of Wales, on 1 August 1989, and met with children, young people and families who use its services.

They also joined in with some art activities.

Before departing, William and Catherine met the bereaved family of four-year-old Douglas Wright, who died from a rare cancer called neuroblastoma in February 2018.

As the couple sat down with the Wright family, they were told about the end-of-life care he had received.

"It brings back all the memories," Douglas's mother Jane said, as she spoke about being back at the hospice.

The charity's chief executive, Phil Gormley, described the royal visit as "memorable and momentous".

The pair then went on to visit housing charity Jimmy's, to hear about the support they offer to individuals experiencing homelessness in Cambridge.

They then arrived at the first Cambridgeshire County Day - an event which was also a celebration of the Queen's Platinum Jubilee.

William and Catherine took part in a football game where they both attempted to kick a ball at a target.

Kate told the crowd it would be difficult as she was "wearing wedges".

After taking a shot, the duchess shook the hand of a boy who had been playing before her, and said: "You did better than I did."

Organisers of the day said its intention was to "showcase the very best from the Cambridgeshire business, charity, community and public sectors".

"The day will seek to inspire future generations with an unrivalled display of innovation, ambition, commitment and passion, to encourage them to be the best they can be and connect them with opportunities to help them," they added.

The event raised money for the Cambridge-based Regional Children's Hospital and the Cambridgeshire Community Foundation Lord Lieutenant's Fund.

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