I like Coldplay but not beef stew says Wills in Goole

Coldplay and Linkin Park are in, but instant beef stew and dumplings are most definitely out, the Duke of Cambridge revealed on a visit to Goole High School.

William spent an hour at the East Yorkshire school yesterday, but spent much of his time apologising to the youngsters he met for the pouring rain.

“I’m so sorry I didn’t bring better weather with me,” the Duke said to flag-waving pupils as he arrived.

William was at the school to launch a new award for primary school children as royal patron of the charity SkillForce.

SkillForce draws on the values and skills of ex-forces personnel to inspire young people to achieve at school.

William spent seven years in the military, before standing down as an RAF search and rescue pilot last September.

He watched the youngsters take part in a team bridge-building exercise in the school yard which was inspired by the 70th anniversary of D-Day later this week.

But it was during a chat with members of the school’s samba band, which was providing the musical accompaniment, when more about the life of a modern royal was revealed.

He declined an offer to play one of the drums, and told one of the drummers: “I used to play the piano, trumpet and drums when I was your age but I couldn’t read music. There’s only so much you can remember from the top of your head.”

And when one of the band asked him what music he liked, the duke replied: “I really like Coldplay, Linkin Park.”

His culinary tastes were revealed when he spoke to pupils taking part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme, who told him about their expedition planning.

Inspecting a packet of Morrisons Value instant pasta and cheese, he said: “Have you tried this before? It’s OK, it’s not too bad. It’s better than the beef stew and dumplings which is quite a heavy one.”

Goole High School has worked with a group of local primary schools to develop the new national SkillForce award programme.

The SkillForce Junior Prince’s Award is aimed at under-privileged nine and ten-year-olds who do not have easy access activities like team sports, outdoor pursuits, first aid, navigation, observing remembrance and community projects.

It is particularly aimed at smoothing the transition for children between primary and secondary school, and involves team-building and problem solving challenges.

Peter Cross, chief executive of SkillForce, said the charity was “honoured” to have their royal patron support the award, which is designed to engage young learners in projects that prepare them for secondary school at “a time when some students can begin to lose their way.”

He added: “Our programme builds up the children’s confidence, resilience, team work and problem solving to give them a boost before the start of new adventures and encourage them to take a more active role in their town, city or village.”

Hundreds of children and local residents stood and waved in the rain as the Duke left by helicopter to travel on to Bradford to visit the youth homeless charity Centrepoint, of which he is also patron.

The Duke turned film maker while visiting homeless young people in Bradford.

On a visit to Centrepoint’s new media training facility, William helped line up shots and filmed interviews with members of the charity’s parliament.

William took on the role of Centrepoint patron, which his mother once held, in 2005. He spent more than an hour talking to young people about the support they received from the charity.

Martin Gill, Centrepoint’s Head of Housing and Support, said the visit raised the profile of the charity’s work

He added: “There was a high level of excitement among the young people we work with, who the Prince always shows a great interest in.”