But William put the row behind him by turning his attention towards society’s over-use of mobile phones, bringing the topic up twice during the engagement.
While touring the new £12 million centre providing a wealth of facilities for eight to 18-year-olds, he quizzed children about their phone habits.
Sitting down with a group working on a mental health project, he asked: “How much time do you spend on your phone a day?”
When one teenage girl said 15 hours, he replied: “Fifteen hours, that’s quite a lot – I bet you feel better coming here.”
During the visit to the OnSide Youth Zone in Hammersmith and Fulham, William played pool and basketball – and was thrilled when he eventually scored a hoop on his fifth attempt.
He donned an apron to ice biscuits, when a child asked what his favourite biscuit was.
“That’s a hard one to say what my favourite is, I like quite a lot. Chocolate digestives … I like a KitKat as well – other things are available.” The children gave an appreciate “ohh” in response.
William praised the organisation, which is open seven days a week, for giving a space to “get your homework done, then your evenings are a bit quieter”.
He had earlier told the youngsters that West – which stands for Where Everyone Sticks Together – was “an amazing facility, make the most of it”.
