Prince William and wife Kate Middleton arrived on Sunday night in New York City aboard British Airways Flight 177 for their three-day visit. After a motorcade, the royal couple were driven to The Carlyle, a luxury hotel on 76^th Street, which William's mother, Princess Diana, stayed often when she was in New York.

Like Us on Facebook

The focus of their three-day visit are diplomatic engagement that would push their favorite charities and promote British interests.

In Washington, D.C., William is expected to talk about battling illegal wildlife trafficking at the International Corruption Hunters Alliance of the World Bank Group. The campaign against illegal wildlife trafficking is said to be close to the prince's heart.

Meanwhile, pregnant Kate will go on a tour of a child development center in Harlem accompanied by NYC First Lady Chirlaine McCray where she will help wrap presents and meet kids at an arts-and-crafts session. On their final day in New York, they will visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art in a black tie-fundraiser in honor of the University of St. Andrews where they met.

When the couple returns to New York on Monday evening, they will attend a reception with former First Lady and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, speculated would run for president in 2016 as Democrat candidate. But this event is not political in nature, but will also focus on wildlife conservation efforts, part of the theme of the royals' U.S. visit.

The Prince and the Duchess were welcomed at a White House reception for Kennedy Center honorees on Sunday night. U.S. First Lady stunned the guests in a Monique Lhuillier pale pink gown with sequin details, reports the New York Daily News.

Prince George, now 16 months, was left behind in England since the Duchess is now five months into her pregnancy with the couple's second child. Her baby belly was evident in her maroon Cecile Reinaud-designed Seraphine coat. The prince wore a dark suit.

It is their first trip to New York City and Prince William's first visit to Washington, D.C. Although they were in the U.S. in 2011, the royal pair only had a short stop n California then as part of their tour of Canada, reports The Guardian.

Among the places and event they will go to are the National September 11 Memorial and Museum and watch an NBA basketball game featuring the Brooklyn Nets versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Basketball star LeBron James, when informed that the prince and duchess will watch their game, told the New York Daily News, "It's a huge honor. You know, the stuff that you read about people like them, only in books growing up. And to hear that they're coming to town to see me play, they wanted to see me do what I do best, it's a huge honor."

TagsPrince William, Kate Middleton, New York City