Princes sign US book of condolence

Princes Charles and William visited Paisley

Prince William and his father Prince Charles have signed a book of condolence for victims of the attacks on the United States last week.

Prince Charles, whose Scottish title is the Duke of Rothesay, and his son recorded their sympathies for the thousands of people killed and their relatives at the US Consulate in Edinburgh.

They were greeted by Liane Dorsey, principal officer of the consulate and her family and staff.

William shook her hand before reading messages on bouquets which bedecked the steps to the building.

The brief ceremony took place beneath a large US flag flying at half mast.

Series of engagements

The visit followed a series of engagements in Scotland before 19-year-old Prince William begins a four-year course at St Andrews University.

A spokeswoman for Buckingham Palace said the events are a chance for Prince William to meet Scottish people before starting at university next week.

The two princes kicked off their visit at the derelict Anchor Mills in Paisley, which is about to be tranformed into homes and offices by one Prince Charles's charities.

About 100 people turned out to greet the teenage royal as he arrived with his father at the disused mill.

The royal pair were cheered as they got out of their car.

'This is William'

They both waved to the crowds and Charles said good morning, and pointing to his son added: "This is William."

Prince William smiled and waved as the crowd called out to him, before heading off to view the mill.

Anchor Mills has been derelict for more than 20 years but, during their visit, the Phoenix Trust announced a £7m project to transform it into homes and offices.

Betty Lamont, 64, from Paisley, said the Royal visit had made her day.

She said: "Charles said good morning and he gave us the nicest smile. We are all absolutely delighted they are here and I am shaking with excitement."

The princes arrive in Sighthill

Mrs Lamont, who worked at the mill for 12-years, added: "Prince William is very handsome and so is his dad. It is all so exciting and this has just made my day."

In the Sighthill area of Glasgow, asylum seekers and long-term residents united to welcome the royal guests with dozens of locals hanging out of the windows in the high-rise flats which loom above the community centre the princes were visiting.

The area houses about 1,500 asylum seekers and saw heightened tensions recently following the death of a young Turkish Kurd, Firsat Yildiz Dag in August.

As he emerged from car with his father close by his side, the crowd yelled "William" and noisily urged him to come and talk to them.

People battled to get to the front of a sealed off section of Sighthill to get a better look at the royal duo.

The royal party then spent an hour inside the Lighthouse, Glasgow's centre for architecture and design, attending an event to promote the work of the Prince's Trust.

The royal pair ended their day with a number of visits in Edinburgh.