The next two successors to the throne were in the region today - Prince Charles touring PD Ports on Teesside whilst son William, The Duke of Cambridge, visited Wearside and Tyneside - where among other things he helped prepare a chicken curry.

During his tour of PD Ports in Middlesbrough, Prince Charles heard of its 50 years of trade through Tees Dock, which employs 650 staff and this year handled 8m tonnes of bulk cargo.

He also met former apprentices and business leaders involved in the High Tide Foundation, designed to raise aspirations and improve education and job prospects for Redcar and Middlesbrough teenagers.

"I am particularly proud of the work of in this area to raise aspirations and skill levels and make a big difference. This is a remarkably successful area of the UK," he said.

"I know things have not been easy and there are a number of struggles to overcome but having met you today you are all contributing massive amount to the UK economy."

The Duke of Cambridge, meanwhile visited Centrepoint in Sunderland, the charity for homeless young people - donning an apron, sprinkling some flour and helping to roll out some chapatis.

William sat down with some of the residents and heard how much they had been helped by the centre.

The Duke, who is patron of Centrepoint, heard how they are working with The Prince's Trust, the youth charity founded by his father.

Prince Charles travelled by train to Middlesbrough and walked the short distance to PD Ports' head office on Bridge Street West to the delight of people waiting at a bus stop opposite.

Among the industrialists he was introduced to by David Robinson, CEO of PD Ports, was Win Viriyaprapaikit, the man behind SSI which has invested £1bn in its Redcar steel plant.

He also met High Tide apprentices who have since been offered full-time jobs at PD Ports.

Last night (Thursday) boxer, Aadil Hassan, won his fight in the 57 kilo category in the Tyne Tees and Wear belt - less than 24 hours later he was shaking hands with the first in line to the throne.

Through the Prince's Trust and the Redcar Amateur Boxing Club, founded by Frankie Wales, he joined a pre-employment programme with PD Ports and has now got a job as a dock operator.

"The fight last night and meeting Prince Charles were both nerve wracking but they have helped turn my life around," said the 19-year-old from Redcar.

A crowd of hundreds cheered William in South Shields where he officially open the £16 million Haven Point leisure centre.

He met local Paralympian swimming hero and world record holder Josef Craig, 16, from Jarrow, who won gold at the London Paralympics in the men's 400m freestyle.

Speaking afterwards, the young MBE recipient said: ''Words cannot express how great it was and how much of an honour it was to meet the prince."

William also met 30 winners of the Diana Award - set up in his mother's memory to encourage young people to tackle social issues.