Royal tour details revealed: Prince William, Catherine and baby George all coming Down Under

Royal g’day ... Catherine and Prince William are bringing George to Australia. 

 

WITH a tour of Uluru, a splash on Manly beach, jet boats, skateboards and working as deckhands on racing America’s Cup yachts, it’s more Contiki than royal itinerary. 

But Prince William and wife Kate travelling with baby Prince George say they want to live like antipodeans for three weeks and have designed a trip for next month to get to know Australia and New Zealand and their people.


Kensington Palace has released the first details for the young royal family’s highly-anticipated trip Down Under that culminates in joining commemorations for both countries’ most revered event — Anzac Day.

Prince William’s private secretary Miguel Head said while the prince had visited both countries before, Kate had not and together with baby George they expected the trip to be a very special event for them and hopefully for the people that come out to see them.
“It’s a tremendously exciting visit and I can tell you the royal highnesses are looking forward to it immensely,” Mr Head said.

Happy family ... the young royals are bound to be a hit Down Under. 

The duke had been bowled over by the warm reception he had received during past visits and hoped his wife could see that for herself in the itinerary proposed by the prime ministers from both countries but involving the royal couple’s wishes.

“I think the breadth and variety of things they are going to be seeing and the people they are going to be meeting has made them very enthusiastic about the visit,” Mr Head said. “It’s those things really and it is all about the people so that’s what she is most excited about.


“It goes without saying the duke and duchess are outdoorsy sporty people and both countries in their own way for different sports are famous, renowned and that is a big part of national life so having a chance to be part of that in some small way is very exciting for them.”

He added: “The duke has fallen in love with both countries and he hopes the duchess will too.”
While two heirs to the throne have travelled together before on foreign visits, notably in 1983 when William travelled with his parents Prince Charles and Diana to Australia, for safety and security of the monarchy it is not usually protocol.

“The Queen has to give permission for that to happen and her Majesty has given that permission,” Mr Head said.

Earlier visit ... Princess Diana and Prince Charles with toddler Prince William during their tour of Australian and New Zealand in 1983.

 

The trip for the royal entourage, which includes several private secretaries and assistants including Kate’s private hairdresser, starts in Wellington in New Zealand on April 7 where they will be welcomed by a traditional Maori Powhiri.

“It’s a tremendously exciting visit and I can tell you the royal highnesses are looking forward to it immensely.”
Miguel Head, Prince William’s private secretary

They will travel to Blenheim where famed movie director Peter Jackson will show them around his Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre featuring life-like scenes from World War I and rare WWI exhibits but a highlight in NZ will be a trip to Auckland Harbour where the royal pair will each board an America’s Cup racing yacht and race each other across the bay.
“As everybody knows the duke and duchess are a little competitive so we expect this will be enjoyable indeed,” Mr Head said.


With help from members of the All Blacks they will also coach opposing teams in touch rugby, watch a BMX display and ride in the famous Shotover Jet boats through the canyons near Queenstown.

In Australia, William, Kate and George will arrive in Sydney on RAAF charter and visit the Sydney Opera House, take a ferry across to Admiralty House where they are to stay during their Sydney leg, tour the Blue Mountains meeting families affected by devastating fire last October and also possibly do a short hike, attend the Royal Easter Show on Good Friday morning and watch a Manly surf carnival demonstration in the afternoon.

Welcome visitor ... a glimpse of young Prince George will be eagerly anticipated. 

They will then fly to RAAF Amberley north of Brisbane before returning to Sydney to attend Easter Sunday service at St Andrew’s Cathedral where they will also sign the First Fleet bible, used for the first Christian service in Australia in 1788. The Queen and other royals have previously signed the book.


The couple, possibly with Prince George, will visit the bilby enclosure at Taronga Zoo, which is to be named after the royal baby, and take in a bird of prey show as well as look at other native Australian animals. The couple will travel to central Australia and visit Uluru and also a cultural centre where they can try their hand at traditional indigenous painting, then on to Adelaide and Elisabeth, named after William’s grandmother, to visit youth music studios and watch a performance including skateboarding displays. Having a go themselves is apparently optional.

On April 24 they will visit Canberra, attend a formal function in Parliament House Great Hall hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the following day attend the Anzac Day March to the steps of the Australian War Memorial. No doubt they will be introduced to the delights of Two-Up.

Saying g’day ... Prince William toured flood-hit regions of Victoria in 2011.

 

It is baby George’s first trip overseas and just when and where he will appear in public will be decided once they are here.

While the visit does feature many lighthearted moments there are numerous formal events, including dedications, visits to childrens’ hospices and other meetings with experts on issues that interest the couple, such as animal conservation work that has long been pursued by William.

The palace said William had wanted to “deepen his relationship and admiration” for the peoples of both countries and while not official, there was expected to be numerous occasions where the public will be able to see and perhaps greet the couple.