The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are expected to take the United States by storm when the arrive in New York today for a three-day trip.

Highlights of William and Kate's brief visit to the US include an appearance at an NBA basketball match, where they are likely to rub shoulders with celebrities, and a meeting for the Duke with president Barack Obama.

The royal couple also plan to pay their respects to the thousands who died during the 9/11 terrorist attacks by visiting the World Trade Centre's Memorial and Museum.

Kensington Palace said: ''The couple really are very much looking forward to all the special moments of the visit. They've been an integral part in planning it.''

The Cambridges will take their court-side seats at an NBA basketball game in the trendy New York suburb of Brooklyn and watch local team the Brooklyn Nets take on the Cleveland Cavaliers tomorrow night.

Seats so close to the action are priced at thousands of dollars but usually cannot be bought as they are prestige places for celebrity supporters like rapper Jay Z and his wife Beyonce.

The Duke and Duchess are both sporty and competitive and are likely to enjoy watching the towering sportsmen.

Before travelling to Brooklyn William will fly to the capital Washington where he will have an informal meeting with Mr Obama at the White House and separate talks with vice president Joe Biden.

The Duke and the president will meet at the White House in Washington on Monday ahead of a major speech William will deliver, expected to be about the illegal wildlife trade, at the World Bank Group's International Corruption Hunters Alliance Conference.

The two men last met in 2011 when Mr Obama made a state visit to Britain with his wife Michelle.

William will be following in the footsteps of his father the Prince of Wales who chatted with Mr Obama in the White House's oval office in May 2011.

The US leader famously told Charles that America had been mesmerised by William and Kate's wedding, held a few days earlier.

While William is attending events in Washington Kate will join Chirlane McCray, wife of New York City mayor Bill de Blasio, on a visit to a local child development centre.

During their brief trip the couple will also attend events in support of their Royal Foundation and other organisations.

The engagements include promoting sustainable conservation issues, young people's mental health and supporting disadvantaged young people. After arriving in New York later today William and Kate are expected to attend a private dinner held on behalf of the American Friends of their Royal Foundation.