A relaxed Prince William proved a whizz at table football when he joined a group of teenagers for a lunchtime match at Centru Access in Vittoriosa - and scored the winning goal.

William showed off the skills of a misspent youth when he visited a centre providing a range of services for youngsters and adults from an impoverished area of Malta.

The second-in-line to the throne may have performed better than his pregnant wife Kate, who was supposed to make the two-day visit to the island nation but withdrew due to a severe form of morning sickness.

The Duke has been in regular touch with the Duchess, updating her about the visit, which would have been her first solo trip, and his young son has also been in his thoughts. He joked with a child care student that she could come to the UK and look after George, who is almost 14 months old, saying the time spent with him was hectic.

When William spied a group of teenagers huddled over the table football he could not resist joining Kayleigh Cioffi, 17, and her playing partner who were losing.

He expertly twirled the handles controlling the goalkeeper and defenders and turned the game around by scoring two long-range goals.

As the first went in he said in triumph "great goal from the defence", and when the winner was smashed home a few second later he added "ahh that's it, we've won".

Kayleigh, a regular user of the Access facilities was impressed by the Duke.
She said: "He's better than me, and he helped us win. He was so, so nice. He said that he would love to spend a summer here."

The Duke proved more adept at the traditional game then the computer version but clearly enjoyed sitting on a bean bag and playing an Xbox football game with three teenage boys who were nearby.

He joined the Milan team who were playing Real Madrid and took one of his computer footballers on a mazy run before he was tackled. But he said his favourite team, Aston Villa, were better.

William chatted about his son George when he met child care student Janet Desira, 17, who told him she is learning all about young children at college.
The second-in-line to the throne joked: "You can come and do some babysitting for me," and he held out his arm to show how high George now stands, adding: "He's busy, they're very hectic at that age."

Next to the teenager was her friend, 12-year-old Redlene Brincat, and both wore their Sunday best dresses.

As the Duke sat with them, he said: "You're both very pretty, you have dressed up. It's a shame my wife's not here, she would have enjoyed meeting you."

Janet told him why she had chosen child care, and William asked: "Are there lots of exams, are you good at exams? I'm so-so." And then, referring to his upcoming helicopter studies for his air ambulance job, said: "I've got to do 14 exams by Christmas."

William, who wore an open-necked white shirt, blue blazer, faded blue jeans and brown suede loafers, talked with the 12-year-old about her favourite sport of boxing.

He turned his right shoulder towards her and told her: "Hit me on the arm."
She was too shy to thump the Prince, but when he asked: "Do you give the boys a hard time in the ring?" she replied "yes".

When William arrived at the centre he teased a group of teenagers who were playing Mario Kart on a Nintendo Wii console.
He asked the two girls and two boys about the "different challenges" they face in the area and teased them suggesting the girls always beat the boys at the game.

Social worker Lara Bonnici, who was supervising the teenagers, said: "This is a problem area for drugs and lots of social problems. It's positive that they can come to this group. It's a good sign."

After the visit William headed out into the searing autumn sunshine and into the main square at Vittoriosa . In the shade of a marquee he watched a performance of traditional dance by women in costume from Gozo and then went on a brief walkabout.

He asked a group of young Boy Scouts from the 1st Cospicua troop about their favourite sports and talked football before heading  to the 17th century church of St Lawrence.

After being shown its religious paintings and artwork the Duke was mobbed as he walked down to the town's marina for a boat tour of the harbour - using a boat which was used by his grandmother when she was a princess and lived in Malta from 1949 to 1952.

Dozens of well wishers stretched out their hands to great the royal visitor.
He posed for photos with mobile phones and one woman, Sara Farrugia, 27, got a picture and thrust a small note into his hand.

Ms Farrugia said: "It was a get well soon message to Kate. He is very handsome and kind and speaks to the people. He's very sociable. I would have liked to see her but it's the same to have him because he's from the same family."

Later Prince William was the guest of honour at a reception at the British High Commissioner's residence. While there he met young patients of the Rainbow Ward, mostly cancer patients.

He left Malta in the late afternoon.

 

The Royal Standard is lowered at the High Commissioner's residence at Prince William's visit ends. Picture - Joseph Grech - mynews@timesofmalta.comThe Royal Standard is lowered at the High Commissioner's residence at Prince William's visit ends. Picture - Joseph Grech - mynews@timesofmalta.com

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