ROYAL TOUR: The royals enjoyed themselves in Australia and New Zealand [PA]Location: Sydney, Australia and Wellington, New Zealand
What Kate wore: A MaxMara wrap dress on the Qantas flight to Sydney.
A scarlet Catherine Walker coat and gown, Gina Foster pillbox hat and diamond and platinum silver fern brooch which was given to the Queen during her 1953 tour of New Zealand
It was all due to kick off in Wellington, New Zealand’s picturesque capital, but Sydney-based photographers could hardly believe their luck as The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived on a Qantas flight from London and were driven a short distance to a waiting Royal New Zealand Air Force aircraft for the three-hour journey to Wellington.
There was the baby the world wanted to see, little George struggling to break free from his mother’s firm grasp as the couple walked through a terminal and up the steps of RNZAF 757.
As they arrived in Wellington Kate struggled to avoid a Marilyn Monroe moment as a strong gust of wind blew up her red dress and George appeared to have more hair than his father.
At Government House the couple got soaked during a traditional Maori welcoming ceremony, while George was safely in the dry with his Spanish nanny Maria Borrallo.
Tuesday, April 8
Location: Wharekauhau Lodge, Wairapa
What Kate wore: Jeans and a jumper
Although the couple were officially staying at Government House they spent the first night and following day at the luxurious Wharekauhau Lodge overlooking the south coast of the North Island.
Opportunities to enjoy a bike ride or walk in the grounds as they recovered from the long flight were limited as it poured with rain but they enjoyed their rest day relaxing with George.
Wednesday, April 9
Location: Government House, Wellington
What Kate wore: Black and white print dress by Tory Burch
It was not so much a walkabout as a crawl about when George joined a roomful of babies around the same age as him at Government House for a playgroup organised by the Plunket charity.
A gay couple and a single mother were among the parents who chatted to William and Kate for an hour as their children played on the floor, with one describing George as a “bit of a bruiser”.
“It’s madness, there are babies everywhere,” said Will, who revealed he feeds his son with the bottle at night and puts him to bed.
George, who wore blue Rachel Riley dungarees with a ship on the front and a white shirt, is now eating solids and has “four or five teeth”.
CRAWL ABOUT: George enjoys a cuddle with his mother after his Plunket playdate in Wellington [PA]Thursday, April 10
Location: Blenheim and Wellington
What Kate wore: Military blue coat by Alexander McQueen and black Jenny Packham evening dress.
For their first day on the South Island the pair took a short flight to Blenheim.
After a short wreath-laying ceremony to commemorate the century since the start of the First World War, during which both appeared deeply moved, the couple worked the crowd of at least 6,000.
Kate, with her hair swept back in a tight ponytail, was given posies and gifts for George as the crowd went wild to see her.
After a brief lunch at a winery they met Lord of the Rings film mogul Sir Peter Jackson at the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre where he showed off some of his vintage aircraft.
As Kate looked on William got into a First World War RAF Sopwith Pup, saying: “Start it up!”
In the evening they were back in Wellington for a state reception at Government House during which William unveiled a portrait of the Queen.
Friday, April 11
Location: Auckland What
Kate wore: Zara navy-style jacket, Breton-striped top by ME+EM, navy jeans and baseball cap
After flying to Auckland, William and Kate met servicemen and women at the RNZAF base in Whenuapai, the largest of its kind in the country.
Some of the wives brought babies for the couple to meet and William remarked that they had been offered several potential partners for George already during the trip.
Then it was on to the harbour where Kate defeated William twice in a race aboard 80ft America’s Cup yachts.
She was clearly out for revenge after William beat her in a dragon boat race in Canada in 2011, and enjoyed a victory salute as she and her team sailed past defeated William.
They then enjoyed a high-speed trip across the harbour in a Sea Legs amphibious craft and were later given a miniature model for George.
Saturday, April 12
Location: Hamilton and Cambridge
What Kate wore: Green Erdem coat over a white Suzannah dress
After flying to Hamilton, south of Auckland, the couple split up; Kate visited the Rainbow Place Children’s Hospice and William went to Pacific Aerospace.
It was then on to the town of Cambridge where they placed single red roses on the war memorial and delighted an estimated 8,000 people with a walkabout.
THRILLS : A jetboat ride on the Shotover River But the visit grabbed the headlines when William told Cynthia Read, who had hand-knitted a lace shawl for George as a gift from the New Zealand government: “You might have to make another one soon!”
His comment led to frenzied speculation that a brother or sister for George could be arriving soon.
Sunday, April 13
Location: Dunedin and Queenstown
What Kate wore: Blue dress and hat by New Zealand-born Emilia Wickstead, then back into familiar blue jacket
On arrival in Dunedin the royals were greeted by two tribes: the Ngai Tuhu and the Scots.
As a piper played bagpipes the pair rubbed noses (the New Zealand version of a handshake) with locals.
After church it was off to the Forsyth Barr stadium where William reaped a little revenge for his yachting defeat by steering his team of youngsters to victory in a rugby game.
In Queenstown Kate nearly took a tumble in her wedges as the pair toured the Amisfield Winery and sampled some Pinot Noir.
They then enjoyed the thrills of a 75mph jetboat ride on the Shotover River with William urging driver Wayne Paton: “faster Wayne, faster!”
After the day’s events William and Kate spent the evening alone at a romantic lodge outside Queenstown overlooking a lake and mountains, while George was looked after by his nanny in Wellington.
Monday, April 14
Location: Christchurch
What Kate wore: Red suit jacket and dress by Italian designer Luisa Spagnoli
After flying into earthquake-hit Christchurch, William and Kate raised morale with an action-packed day.
On a walkabout in Latimer Square Kate was confronted with five sets of twins and chatted to their mothers.
The couple then comforted survivors and relatives of the quake victims in the Memorial Park.
To promote the 2015 cricket World Cup they played a couple of shots and Kate had to take evasive action from a William bouncer.
At the RNZAF base and museum the pair laid roses on the Memorial Wall and in a brief speech William paid tribute to the spirit of the city saying the people of Christchurch had chosen “not only to survive but thrive”.
He also revealed that he misses flying and is putting in hours to gain his commercial pilots licence.
Tuesday, April 15
Location: Wellington, a rest day with no engagements
STAR OF THE SHOW: Prince George stole the spotlight [SPLASH]Wednesday, April 16
Location: Wellington, then Sydney, Australia
What Kate wore: A blue skirt suit by New Zealand designer Rebecca Taylor in Wellington, then a yellow dress by London-based Serbian designer Roksanda Ilincic in Sydney
It was goodbye New Zealand, hello Australia as the couple waved a fond farewell to the North Island following a morning in Wellington meeting police recruits and doing a walkabout through the capital.
After touching down at Sydney airport with Prince George (dressed in a white romper reminiscent of the one his father wore during his visit to Australia more than 30 years ago), the couple rode in a motorcade to Sydney Opera House, the city’s most iconic building.
Thousands lined the streets cheering and waving flags as they emerged from the building for a VIP reception.
William gave a short speech in which he spoke of the Queen’s “infectious” love of the country, adding: “My mother’s deep affection for Australia, which you were so kind to reciprocate, needs no reminder.”
Although the crowds seemed to love Kate’s bright yellow dress, William was not so keen, apparently telling the Duchess that she looked like a banana.
The couple then boarded a boat from the Man O’ War steps to another reception at Admiralty House, residence of the Governor-General and their base for the next 10 days.
Thursday, April 17
Location: The Blue Mountains
What Kate wore: Navy blue and white Diane Von Furstenberg wrap dress
William and Kate could not have picked a better day for sightseeing as the sun blazed down on Sydney’s picturesque Blue Mountains where the couple took in breathtaking views.
After meeting Winmalee residents affected by the October 2013 bush fires, many of whom lost their homes, they were treated to lunch at a Girl Guides Hall although bizarrely, neither touched any of the sandwiches on offer.
There was a dramatic moment when, unbeknown to the couple, two men were stopped and searched by police for acting suspiciously just yards from where the royal motorcade passed.
After planting a tree, as royals do, they departed for Echo Point in Katoomba for the best view of the Three Sisters rock formation, the Blue Mountains’ most spectacular sight.
William made onlookers nervous by stepping within a few inches of the cliff edge while Kate, wearing vertiginous wedge heels, stayed well clear.
William capped off the day by attending a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott who gave Prince George a huge cuddly wombat.
Good Friday, April 18
Location: Sydney
What Kate wore: Ivory lace Zimmermann dress
Kate’s sense of humour came out at the Sydney Royal Easter Show when she made a joke about covering up William’s bald patch using a tuft of alpaca wool as a wig.
“You need it more than me,” jibed the Duchess as they visited agricultural stands where she revealed George’s fondness for sweet potatoes.
The mood turned more sombre when the couple visited Manly’s Bear Hospice for terminally-ill children and met Max McIntyre, a baby George’s age who is dying of bacterial meningitis.
Tearful William later told staff: “I welled up and was really worried I would start crying.”
In a day of light and shade the couple were given a rock star reception on Manly beach where the crowds screamed as they were presented with a £2,200 customised surf board for George, whom William revealed was “being a bit messy and drooling everywhere at the moment”.
Easter Saturday, April 19
Location: Brisbane
What Kate wore: White LK Bennett dress with blue flowers
Katemania swept through Queensland as the couple took a day trip to Brisbane, visiting RAAF Amberley and taking a walkabout through the city centre.
Kate gave a master class in demureness as she stepped into the cockpit of a Super Hornet fighter jet in 4in heels.
William could not believe his eyes and kept reminding his wife to: “Be careful”.
The Duchess was once again in pole position as the couple met thousands of fans, some of whom had queued since 3am.
There were chants of: “Kate! Kate! Kate!” and the Duchess was inundated with gifts and flowers in scenes reminiscent of Princess Diana.
A tired-looking Kate was later spotted snuggling up to William at Sydney’s Allianz stadium where the couple treated their 11-strong entourage and bodyguards to a rugby match between the New South Wales Waratahs and South Africa Bulls.
PLAYING IT COOL: Prince George made some new playmates during the trip [REUTERS]Location: Sydney, then Canberra
What Kate wore: Powder blue Alexander McQueen coat with Jane Taylor hat to church, yellow dress by an independent designer to Zoo, blue Stella McCartney dress on arrival in Canberra
The couple began Easter Sunday in traditional style by attending morning service at Sydney’s St Andrew’s Cathedral before signing the “First Fleet Bible”, used in the first Christian service held in Australia in 1788.
Kate and William were outdone by George’s animated appearance at the city’s Taronga Zoo.
The Prince wriggled his arms and legs and squealed and gurgled with excitement as he was introduced to Australia’s version of the Easter bunny, a bilby which had been named after him along with its enclosure.
“He’s trying to grab its ear,” said Kate. “if he gets it he will never let go,” warned William, kissing his son’s head.
The couple returned George to his nanny Maria Borrallo before touring the zoo and meeting Luca the koala.
Easter Monday, April 21
Having travelled to Government House in Canberra on Sunday night, the couple spent the day relaxing with Prince George, while the media travelled to Uluru (Ayers Rock).
WAVING GOODBYE: The royals heading home after a successful trip down under [getty]We are going away with some wonderful memories
Location: Uluru
What Kate wore: Mocha-coloured Roksanda Ilincic dress and a white and grey Hobbs dress
After a controversy surrounding photographs and footage taken while they were enjoying private time with George yesterday, the couple must have felt on another planet as they arrived at Uluru (formerly Ayers Rock).
With red Mars-like sand under foot and flies swarming around their heads, William and Kate visited the National Indigenous Training Academy to present course certificates before receiving gifts including a traditional hunting spear and small kangaroo hair blanket.
They later enjoyed afternoon tea at the Uluru-Kata Tjuta Cultural centre where Kate revealed George had grown an “extra fat roll” while they had been away.
What was supposed to be a romantic end to the day watching the sun set over “the rock” descended into farce as the couple were forced to share the moment with hundreds of photographers and reporters.
However with George back in Canberra being looked after by nanny Maria, the couple were able to enjoy a romantic night together “glamping” under the stars at the luxury Longitude resort.
No comments:
Post a Comment