By REBECCA ENGLISH and RICHARD HARTLEY-PARKINSON


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


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.



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.



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



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 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

Letzter USA-Tag für William und Kate


source :dailymail