Royal couple on pre-wedding visit

The couple’s visit to Blackburn will be their last public engagement before they marry

Prince William and Kate Middleton are to visit Lancashire in their final public engagement before their wedding.

They are due to visit the Darwen Aldridge Community Academy, where Prince William is due to formally open the new school.

They are then due to visit Witton Country Park, in Blackburn, where thousands of people are expected.

Prince William is signing a deed to protect the park as part of the Queen Elizabeth II Fields Challenge.

The scheme is designed to permanently protect 2,012 outdoor recreational spaces around the UK in honour of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, next year.

Prince William and Miss Middleton are due to marry at Westminster Abbey on 29 April.

Since announcing their engagement last year, the pair have met well-wishers in Anglesey in North Wales, visited their former university – St Andrews in Fife, Scotland – and flown to Belfast, Northern Ireland.

On Monday, Prince William will meet staff and young people before the launch of the SkillForce Prince’s Award.

The prince is patron of the education charity. From summer 2012, it will present the new honour to teenagers who show significant character or make a major contribution to the community in which they live.

Brendan Loughran, principal of the academy, said: “We want all our students to aim high – Prince William and Catherine’s visit will inspire them to aim even higher.

“We will give them a really exciting day in Darwen, showing them how entrepreneurial thinking is securing real improvements.”

Pupil Jessica Dootson said: “Everyone’s really excited about the Royal visit.

“There’s loads of people coming round today.

“Everyone is looking smart today – not like usual.”

Moving to Witton park, the couple will meet local civic dignitaries, view sports activities on the athletics field and see youngsters taking part in a football skills session.

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