Schedule of William and Kate in LA have been released by a preach of protocole by CBS. Here it is.
WILLS and Kate are to shun Hollywood’s gold-paved streets for a trip to Los Angeles’ legendary Skid Row next month, it emerged yesterday.
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The downtown district – home to an estimated 8,000 down and outs – is said to be one of the most dangerous neighbourhoods in the US.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge – amid massive security – are due to visit a mission at the heart of the four-square-mile makeshift town of tents and cardboard boxes from where Richard Ramirez, the Night Stalker, claimed most of his 14 victims.
Media charity expert Mike Raia said: “Supporting inner city outreach causes is one thing but actually setting foot in Skid Row is a very brave move by the young royals.
“Parts of it are extremely squalid and dangerous. Seeing the army of vagrants and crazies who exist side by side is definitely not for the faint-hearted.”
In Britain, William is patron of the homelessness charity Centrepoint and once slept rough in a cardboard box on London’s streets to help highlight the care group’s work.
“It’s something his mother Princess Diana cared passionately about and one of the issues he really cares about,” explained a family friend yesterday.
Details of the royal couple’s LA diary were leaked on American TV news giant CBS’s website – and then hastily withdrawn.
Last night a St James’s Palace spokeswoman would only say: “We can’t comment on anything about their itinerary in the USA.”
Other details leaked by the network include a charity polo match at the Santa Barbara Polo Club where William will play for a local side and a black-tie dinner and champagne reception with Bafta, to promote the British film industry.
William and Kate will also be guests at a meal with political bigwigs at the Beverly Hilton on their first night in town and will end the tour with a star-studded bash at Sony Studios, understood to be hosted by producer Steve Tisch.
Last night CBS refused to discuss why they had leaked the royal couple’s schedule but a spokesman admitted: “There may have been a protocol breach.”
Yesterday, organisations working with the homeless in LA praised the couple’s decision.
Kate McCubbin, a volunteer helper at two missions and a free health clinic, said: “It might not be a ticker-tape parade and there sure won’t be any street parties. But it’s magical and a minor miracle that William and Kate are turning their attention to people who really need help.
“We’re not just talking about people who are down on their luck. We are talking about the hardcore homeless who are at rock bottom in the world.”
And a Los Angeles Police Department Gang Squad officer – who patrol the district – said: “Hats off to William and Kate. They are not only doing a brave thing but also a very noble thing. They will shine a light on people whose plight is largely ignored.
“The royals simply being there, even briefly, might inspire regular people to help with donations to the many missions that struggle to cope.”
But he added: “As far as regular tourists are concerned, my advice is simple – don’t go there.”
