The Royals first duty was to honour the legacy of Gary Speed by sitting on a bench erected last season in memory of the former Everton player and manager of Wales, who was found hanged in his home in 2011.
They were joined by the sportsman’s mum Carol Speed who in the past has said she will never find the answer to why her son died but has urged others to talk about their mental health and seek help.
The prince, with the princess by his side, asked Mrs Speed if she thought Gary was a “breakthrough“ moment for people talking and she replied it was.
William also commented about suicide and “learning the language to talk about it”.
The trio were joined John Bilsborrow, a mental health support worker with the club’s charitable arm Everton in the Community, who sits on the bench during match days, as a point of contact for anyone needing help.