Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry showed their playful sides on a visit to the Warner Bros. studios on Friday.The fun-loving trio laughed and looked very much at ease as they wielded wands during a lesson on the set of the Harry Potter films.As well as enjoying a spot of wizardry, they marvelled at the props on the set of the 2012 Batman film, The Dark Knight Rises.
Pregnant Kate and her brother-in-law laughed as the future king climbed onto Batman's motorbike, the Batpod.
The 30-year-old then climbed inside a Batmobile and revved the engine. Harry, 28, shielded his ears as the studio was filled with the roar of the turbo engine. "You don't do baby seats for these cars, do you?" the prospective dad joked. During the tour, William suggested to Harry that they should borrow the Batmobile for the weekend. He also light-heartedly put himself forward for the role of Batman. "Christian Bale is getting old and tired, he said. "I will step in if I have to."
The RAF helicopter pilot made fun of his younger brother in an entertaining speech at the inauguration of the studios where the eight Harry Potter films were shot. "Harry's excited to see a real life talking owl in the Harry Potter studios," he joked. "I haven't told him yet that Harry Potter is fictional, so please keep up the secret for a little longer. "Kate, 31, championed British high street fashion for the visit wearing a £38 cream and black polka dot dress from Topshop. The 60s inspired number swiftly sold out. The fashionista duchess's appearance in the affordable dress comes at the end of a week of engagements which have seen her wearing outfits from high end designers including a bespoke baby blue Emilia Wickstead cocktail dress. The expectant royal teamed her dotty dress with a fitted black Ralph Lauren jacket, her trademark black suede heels and a matching clutch bag. Her glossy brunette tresses were styled in loose waves.
The lucky royals were expected to receive a wand lesson in The Gryffindor Common Room and witness a special effects demonstration on the set of the wizards' shopping hub, Diagon Alley.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Harry met creative teams from recent productions at the sprawling site which boasts The Making of Harry Potter attraction.
William is due to make a short speech. The three young royals will then host a meeting for their Charities Forum in the Great Hall, one of the most famous sets from the Harry Potter films. The forum, which was founded by the brothers in 2006, enables them to bring their individual charitable interests together and find out how they can support them most effectively.Around 500 guests from their various charities, including children and their parents, were invited. Chief executives from more than 35 charities associated with the three royals were present at the event near Watford. Film giants Warner Bros. invested around £100 million into the facility after taking over the site in 2010. The vast studios were also the home of James Bond film Goldeneye and Sleepy Hollow.
It isn't the first time that the royals have delved into wizardry. Prince Charles and Camilla visited London's King's Cross train station in January to see platform 9 3/4 where budding wizards take their trains to Hogwarts. Friday's tour marks Kate's third engagement of the week, following visits to a Manchester primary school on 23 April and a return to the National Portrait Gallery on 24 April. She will also visit Naomi House children's hospice on 29 April.
William's speech at Warner Bros. studios
All three of us have been looking forward to being here with you all today, and so far it's lived up to our expectations. To be honest, I'm over the moon just to have seen the real Batmobile and Batpod – Josh, Barry, you don't do baby seats for those cars, do you, by any chance? On the other hand Harry's just excited to see a real life talking owl in the Harry Potter studios. I haven't told him yet that Harry Potter is fictional, so please keep the secret for a little longer. Barry and Josh, you have spoken proudly about Warner Brothers’ investment in the United Kingdom in the form of these magnificent studios. It gives me enormous pride as President of BAFTA to be able to echo that. The journey to today began most obviously with the now legendary story of an aspiring author – J K Rowling – translating her phenomenal imagination onto paper in the form of the Harry Potter series. But in another sense, the journey to today began way before, since this country has a long and proud literary and visual arts history – a history that is unmatched in the world for its variety, its commercial success and its longevity. The ancient cradle of talent that is this Country has given rise to the great Jacobean playwrights and to the Victorian literary masters. Our capacity to produce brilliant works continued into the 20th century with the great British pioneers of film and television, both here and in Hollywood. The London Olympics' Opening Ceremony reminded us as a nation just how diverse, talented and entertaining the British creative industries have always been. Our nation's extraordinary capacity for talent is not a thing of the past. It is worth reminding ourselves that the Harry Potter book series has become the most popular series ever to be printed, and the Harry Potter movie series – filmed right here – is the most successful in history. So, what of the future? How can we possibly continue these successes of the past? I am proud to say that, as President of BAFTA, there is a huge amount of work going on to nurture the talent of tomorrow. BAFTA's inspiring Guru programme is one that I would encourage everyone in the industry to support. I am also immensely proud of the scholarships which BAFTA has announced today, which Warner Brothers are so generously supporting. These scholarships will lead to talented young people, who would otherwise not have the chance to develop their careers, to reach their full potential. Catherine, Harry and I are very much looking forward to the Harry Potter Studio Tour coming up shortly, and thank you to Warner Brothers for hosting hundreds of children from the charities of which we are fortunate enough to be Patron. My thanks also to Amanda Berry and BAFTA's continued and generous support of our Charities Forum. It remains for me to make one last thank you – to Warner Brothers for making this investment at Leavesden. You were right to do so, and all three of us hope you have a long and prosperous stay here. And please make another of the Dark Knight series, and another....and another! From Catherine, Harry and me – thank you.