William and Kate watch former Houston Rockets player Dikembe Mutombo, in suit, joke with basketball star Brendan Haywood in New York yesterday. Source: AP

Rapper Jay-Z and superstar wife Beyonce chatted to the royals yesterday, and James treated them to a breathtaking display of brilliance as he led the Cleveland Cavaliers to a 110-88 win at the Barclays Centre. James met the royal couple at the end of the match, giving them a Cavaliers shirt marked Cambridge and another for their one-year-old son, Prince George.

Jay-Z and Beyonce sat opposite the royals on the other side of the court. The music A-listers walked over to say hello and chat to the royal couple to deafening cheers from the crowd.

Outside, protests demanding justice for black men killed by white police officers continued for a sixth straight night. James and other NBA players wore “I can’t breathe” T-shirts as they warmed up before the game in tribute to the protest movement.

It was a star-struck end to a packed day that saw William laugh and joke with President Barack Obama in the Oval Office before the couple met widely tipped 2016 presidential contender Hillary Clinton and her daughter, Chelsea, in New York.

The royal couple’s three-day visit, their first to the biggest US city, is a mix of diplomacy, supporting their favourite causes and promoting British business.

Second in line to the throne, William is increasingly taking on more long-haul work for the British monarchy as the Queen ­approaches her 90s.

He sought support for his campaign to end illegal wildlife trafficking and the President appeared happy to oblige.

William continued his first visit to Washington with a speech at the World Bank, saying annual profits of $US20 billion ($21.64bn) from illegal wildlife trade funds organised crime and armed groups. “Co-operation is our greatest weapon against the poachers and traffickers,” said William. “By taking a truly international approach, we can get one step ahead of them.”

In New York, Kate visited a child development centre, helping toddlers to do art.

Dressed in a $US1000 black coat by British label Goat, she waved to well-wishers at the Northside Centre for Child Development in Harlem.

“They thought she was the princess from Frozen,” said administrator Rose Ann Harris, referring to the popular film, as the duchess said goodbye to children.

AFP