George looks reluctant to leave as William and Kate wave goodbye to Australia yesterday[GETTY/SPLASH]The couple, who celebrate their third wedding anniversary on Tuesday, have given the monarchy an enormous boost.
And the undoubted star of the show once again yesterday was Prince George.
Cradled, gurgling happily, in his mother’s arms, the ninemonth- old Prince charming shook hands with dignitaries as the first of what is destined to be many royal tours came to an end.
Dressed in a red cardigan and red and white shorts, the future King was taken around the VIPs and then carried on to a plane by Kate as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge bade farewell in Canberra at the close of their epic 19-day tour of Australia and New Zealand.
The couple were delighted with the reception they received, especially in Australia where republican sentiment has in the past run high.
A Kensington Palace spokesman said: “It has been the most extraordinary three weeks.
"We came with high expectations and they were more than surpassed. The couple have had the most tremendous time.”
An aide said the objective had been for William to cement his relationship with the people of Australia and New Zealand and to introduce his wife Kate and son George to them.
“It could not have been a more perfect introduction,” he said.
A royal spokesman added: “The tour has been an incredible experience for both the Duke and Duchess and they really have enjoyed it immensely.
“The couple have been bowled over by the extraordinarily warm welcome shown to them as a family by people everywhere they went.”
Prince George has received enough gifts to fill his nursery twice over, including toys of every description from cuddly koalas and rocking horses to a child-size amphibious boat.
So successful has the tour been that the Duke and Duchess plan a “ significant upsurge” in royal duties over the next few months.
Prince George has been the star of the royal tour [REUTERS]The couple have been bowled over by the extraordinarily warm welcome shown to them as a family by people everywhere they went
What happens after that will depend on what William decides to do from September at the end of what Kensington Palace has called a “ transitional year”.
He could decide to take up full-time royal duties, undertake some sort of public service role for a charity or Government department, or do another year like this one, mixing royal duties with charity work and preparations for his future role as Prince of Wales.
A decision is expected in the next two to three months.
Palace officials have been reluctant to declare Kate’s maternity leave over.
But an aide said: “We have got a really busy programme for both of them and Prince Harry.
"There will be a significant upsurge in engagements.”
William and Kate ended the longest royal tour in a generation by marking the most solemn day in Australia’s year.
They stood shoulder to shoulder with veterans and military personnel in Canberra on Anzac Day, a national day of remembrance for the fallen of Australia and New Zealand.
No comments:
Post a Comment