Prince William couldn't help but grin from ear-to-ear as he arrived at the University of Oxford to carry out an official engagement, telling well-wishers that he and the Duchess of Cambridge were "thrilled" and that it was "great news."
It was the Prince's first appearance since the news of his wife Kate's pregnancy broke on Monday morning, and William was making the visit alone, as Kate had to pull out last-minute and stay at home after suffering from severe morning sickness.
Prince William was given a toy swan and a bouquet of flowers for baby Prince George and his wife Kate
The Duke of Cambridge was handed an adorable toy swan for his son Prince George, who recently celebrated his first birthday in July, and a bouquet of flowers which William will most likely pass on to his wife.
Many guests offered their sympathies to Kate, and the Prince reportedly said that the Duchess may be over the worst of the sickness in a "few weeks' time".
Pulling up at St Hugh's College in the historical city, William, 32, was given a warm welcome by the principal Dame Elish Angiolini and Baron Patten of Barnes, who is Chancellor of the University and was the last Governor of Hong Kong. The Prince was in Oxford to open The Dickson Poon University of Oxford China Centre Building – a new facility that is dedicated to students and researchers who are pursuing China-related studies.
Prince William was greeted warmly at Oxford University while Kate was forced to stay home with morning sickness
During their visit, William took part in a traditional Chinese ribbon cutting ceremony in the courtyard of the building. He also met staff and students of St Hugh's college before being given a tour of the interior.
According to the university's website, the new centre cost £21million to construct – £10million of which came from Hong Kong philanthropist Mr Dickson Poon CBE, after whom the building is named and who William also met on the day.The complex will provide 63 en-suite student bedrooms, a 100-seat lecture theatre, dining area and a range of conference and seminar facilities.
It will also contain a dedicated library with study carrels and a reading room, which will provide a permanent home for books from the Bodleian Library's China Collection.
