On their tour of New Zealand on Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Kate Middleton, dropped by the War Memorial and Clock Tower in Seymour Square in Blenheim, to attend a service and lay a wreath in honour of the country’s fallen.
The Duchess was looking sleek and classy in a blue Alexander McQueen coat and both she and her hubby sported commemorative poppy pins. William also put on his own service medals from his service in the Royal Air Force.
The wreath placed at the site contained notes written by the royal couple, marking the 100th-anniversary of the end of World War I.
Two students sang “God Defend New Zealand” and then helped collect gifts from the public that were intended for Middleton, who received tons of flowers and homemade cards.
Prince George stayed behind this time round. Yesterday, the royal baby attended a playdate at Government House in Wellington with 10 other babies from families selected to represent the “spread of all communities in New Zealand, including Maoris, Samoans, people of Chinese descent and gay couples,” according to Plunket Play Group president Tristine Clarke.
One baby particularly caught the 8-month-old’s attention, little Eden Alve.
“They spent around 15 minutes together,” Eden’s mum, Ingrid Alve, said. “They had a nice little bonding moment together, they were babbling at each other, as babies do.”
Little George and his parents spent their first two nights in New Zealand at the Wharekauhau Lodge and will now be staying at Government House, the official residence of the governor-general and his wife.