Next month, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will take Prince George along on their eagerly awaited tour of Australia and New Zealand. This evening (London time), details have been announced:
Tour details:
The royals will leave London on Monday 7th April, before landing in Wellington, New Zealand’s capital city. After a short welcome on Monday, the royals will take a rest day. On Wednesday April 9th, official engagements begin!
While in New Zealand, William and Kate will undertake a number of engagements each day, including paying tribute to earthquake victims in Christchurch, racing each other in yachts across Auckland Harbour and attending a wreath laying ceremony to remember the fallen from World World I.
William, Catherine and George will spend nine full days in New Zealand in total, before moving on to Australia on Wednesday 16th April.
During the second leg of the tour, the Cambridges will spend a further nine full days travelling across five different Australian states and territories.
The Australian leg of the tour will include visits to war memorials to mark the centenary of the outbreak of World War I, a swanky reception at the Sydney Opera House, a visit to the Blue Mountains to meet families affected by the October fires and a commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial.
It is thought that Prince George will attend one event per country with his parents. Miguel Head (Prince William’s Private Secretary) has conformed “the couple have to make a final decision about that much closer to the time.”
This is Kate’s first time to both Australia and New Zealand (unless you count the short airport transit during the jubilee tour in 2012). William has toured both countries previously.
Note worthy: Apparently, the Queen had to give special permission for the two heirs, Princes William and George, to travel on the same flights!
What’s planned:
New Zealand (reproduced from The Mirror.)
April 7 – Wellington:
- Arrive to ceremonial welcome
April 8 –
- Rest
April 9 – Wellington:
- Meet parents and their babies at Government House, hopefully with George
April 10 – Blenheim:
- Events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War.
- Wellington: State Reception where William will unveil a portrait of the Queen
April 11 – Auckland:
- Meet serving air force personnel and their families. Race each other across Auckland Harbour in Team New Zealand Americas Cupyachts. Ride on a Sealegs craft – boat that can be driven into and out of water.
April 12 – Waikato:
- William views an aircraft factory while Kate goes to a children’s hospice. Both travel through Hamilton town centre and meet Olympic athletes and open the new velodrome.
April 13 – Dunedin
- (Travel away from George for one night): Maori tribal welcome, visit cathedral then watch and participate in a Rippa Rugby tournament – non contact rugby.
- Queenstown: Wine tasting, travel on the Shotover Jet – 50mph white water ride.
April 14 – Christchurch:
- Ceremony for those who died in 2011 earthquake. Watch a 2015 Cricket World Cup event, later visit air force museum and memorial wall.
April 15
- Rest day
April 16 – Wellington:
- Visit a police training college, sign the city’s visitor book then depart.
Australia (reproduced from the Sydney Morning Herald)
Wednesday 16 Sydney
- Arrival Sydney airport
- Sydney Opera House reception
- Boat to Admiralty House
Thursday 17 Blue Mountains
- Visit to bushfire affected street
- Meeting with community leaders and firefighters
- Sightseeing
Friday 18 Sydney
- Royal Easter Show visit
- Bear Cottage Children’s Hospice, Manly
- Surf lifesaving demonstration, Manly
Saturday 19 Brisbane
- RAAF Amberley base visit
- Brisbane Convention Centre reception
Sunday 20 Sydney
- Easter Sunday service at St Andrew’s Cathedral
- Taronga Zoo visit including bilby enclosure
Monday 21 Sydney
- No engagements
Tuesday 22 Uluru
- National Indigenous Training Academy visit
- Uluru cultural centre visit
- Afternoon tea with NT chief minister
- Walk around base of Uluru
Wednesday 23 Adelaide
- Visit to Northern Sound System studios
- Reception at Playford civic centre
Thursday 24 Canberra
- National Portrait Gallery visit
- Prime Minister’s reception, Parliament House
- National Arboretum tree-planting
- Governor-General’s reception
Friday 25 Canberra
- ANZAC Day march and commemorative service, Australian War Memorial
- Lone Pine planting ceremony
- Departure