The Duke of dapper! A sharply dressed Prince William charms the nurses on a hospital visit in Basingstoke following his style makeover 

• e-mail

He's recently ditched his formal suit jackets for fitted tweed blazers and fashionable jumpers after a makeover from Kate's stylist Natasha Archer. 

And today William showed he's definitely put his former 'estate agent' style behind him as he arrived for an engagement looking dapper in a dark blue suit and striped tie. 

William, 34, arrived at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital to a warm welcome from dozens of nurses - and the excitement continued inside as workers stood along the corridors, watching eagerly with their camera phones.

Scroll down for video 

Prince William Visits a 'Step into Health' military employment programme as part of a day focusing on veteran employment at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital

William receives a warm welcome from excited nursing staff who were waiting outside the hospital to greet him 

Workers stood along the corridors, watching eagerly with their camera phones at the ready to snap the royal visitor 

Patients told of their delight at meeting the surprise royal visitor, who stopped to chat at various points as he walked through the building.

Speaking to 72-year-old Ken Morgan and Alison Perks, 73, William said: 'I'm sorry I brought the hospital to a standstill today, it wasn't my intention. I hope you're not waiting for anything important.'

Mr Morgan, who said he was happy to have met the Duke, replied: 'You're the only thing that's important.'

William also spoke to seven-year-old Anna Kape who was in for an X-ray after breaking her arm when she slipped at school. 

Prince William stands alongside a model skeleton as he takes a tour of Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital to meet former military personnel who have been employed there

The Duke gestures to his teeth as he meets with seven-year-old patient Anna Kape whilst discussing her missing front tooth and broken arm

The Prince chats to hospital staff, surrounded by medical training equipment 

Her mother Stephanie said: 'We had no idea, he would be here. It was very unexpected but great that he stopped to speak to Anna.'

William was at the hospital to meet ex-military who are now working in healthcare.

He met both veterans who have gone on to work in health as well as those preparing for life outside the Forces by attending information days run by Step Into Health. 

Patients were delighted to meet the surprise royal visitor, who stopped to chat at various points as he walked through the building

The Prince walks through the hospital with Regional Cooridinator for the 'Step into Health' programme, Kofi Quartey 

Some of the hospital staff were eager to get a snap of the royal visitor as he paused for a chat

The scheme, supported by the Royal Foundation of which he, the Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry are patrons, aims to recognise the transferable skills possessed by those in the military - which can be useful for a career in the NHS.

The programme provides placements in sectors ranging from catering to administration as well as clinical roles.

A pilot programme in 2014 saw more than three-quarters of participants gain employment in the NHS or go into further education leading to a job in healthcare. 

William looked sharp in a dark blue suit and a navy and red striped as he arrived for a day of engagements focusing on post-military employment 

The Duke of Cambridge arriving at Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital where he will visit a 'Step into Health' military employment programme as part of a day focusing on veteran employment

Later William will visit Royal Hospital Chelsea where he is due to present awards to organisations across the UK which have helped armed forces members and their families with employment.

The Duke's day of engagements follows on from his wife successful first solo overseas visit yesterday.

Kate travelled to Holland where she started her visit with a courtesy call to King Willem-Alexander at Villa Eikenhorst where they sat down for lunch. 

The Duke's day of engagements follows on from his wife successful first solo overseas visit in Holland yesterday

She was then treated to a private tour of the Mauritshuis museum in the Hague where she paused to admire Vermeer's masterpiece The Girl With The Pearl Earring.

Folowing her museum visit, Kate travelled to the official residence of Sir Geoffrey Adams, Britain's Ambassador to the Netherlands, to convene a round-table discussion on the themes of addiction, intervention, family and mental health.

Later she was pictured shaking hands with a robot constructed form Meccano in Rotterdam where she went to learn about Bouwkeet, the social Makerspace of Bospolder-Tussendijken.

She dissolved into fits of delighted giggles as she was introduced to the robot and shook his hand.

At the end of the day the Duchess boarded a scheduled British Airways flight home.

Earlier in the week the Duke and Duchess joined forces with Prince Harry to mark World Mental Healthy day at reception at London's County Hall. 

The trio spoke to people about their experiences of mental health struggles to learn about the crucial support they received from family and friends.