Prince George has packed his new toy wallaby and Lupo is waiting for his family’s return — and after nearly three weeks of non-stop touring, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and their son are returning to their London home.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Rob Griffith, AP Photo.
Rob Griffith, AP Photo.
Saeed Khan, AFP/Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
The royal tour to New Zealand and Australia has been an incredible success for the young family, with thousands turning out to see them at every stop and the Duke and Duchess showing their fun side by participating in everything from cricket to yacht races.
Kate seemed quite pleased with herself after she used the DJ decks in Adelaide. Morne de Klerk, Pool/Getty Images.
And though there were some run-of-the-mill tree plantings, there were also plenty of walkabouts that allowed the young couple to shine. Looking relaxed and comfortable, they must have won over even some of Australia’s diehard republicans with their easy laughter and good humour.
Kate waves to schoolchildren during a visit to the National Indigenous Training Academy. William West, AFP/Getty Images.
Of course, no one shone quite as brightly as Prince George of Cambridge, who charmed the international press everywhere he went, particularly while throwing his weight around at a New Zealand playgroup and later as he looked wide-eyed at a bilby namesake at Sydney’s Taronga Zoo.
Prince George of Cambridge gets to work on his first official public engagement. Marty Melville, Getty Images.
Prince William holds Prince George as they look at a Bilby named George at Taronga Zoo. Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
William and Kate ended their tour by taking part in Anzac ceremonies, which commemorate those who have served in war, conflicts and peacekeeping missions for Australia and New Zealand. The Canberra Times reported that the couple made a surprise visit to a dawn ceremony at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra.
William and Kate attend Anzac Day dawn services in Canberra. Arthur Edwards, WPA Pool.
Arthur Edwards, WPA Pool.
Arthur Edwards, WPA Pool.
They later returned for the 10:30 a.m. service.
Lukas Coch, EPA.
Lukas Coch, EPA.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Stefan Postles,Getty Images.
The couple watches a fly pass during the ceremony. Stefan Postles,Getty Images
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
“William and Catherine sang the service hymns with the crowd during the service, but did not join in the singing of the Australian national anthem,” the Canberra Times said.
The couple also took part in the ceremony by laying a wreath.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
“The royal couple wanted to be part of the ceremony which is regarded as a sacred commemoration in Australian and New Zealand, when fallen soldiers are remembered in sombre ceremonies, old soldiers march down the streets to wildly cheering crowds,” reported the Daily Mail. “A guard of honour of the Royal Australian Airforce, Navy and Army marched into the parade ground with the Royal Military College of Australia to wait for the royal couple’s arrival.”
And though cameras caught her smiling at one point as she waited with William for the ceremonies to begin, generally the Duchess appeared solemn and pensive.
Lukas Coch, EPA.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Lukas Coch, EPA.
After the ceremonies had concluded, the royal family boarded their plane for the return journey to England.
Prince William and the Governor General of Australia, Peter Cosgrove, inspect the march during an ANZAC Day commemorative service at the Australian War Memorial. Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Stefan Postles, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
The royal couple prepares to lay a wreath. Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Chris Jackson, Getty Images.
Australia and New Zealand on Friday marked the 99th anniversary of the first major military action involving Australian and New Zealand forces during the First World War. ANZAC is an acronym for Australia and New Zealand Army Corps. Jason Reed, Pool/AP Photo.
William and Kate place poppies into the World War I Wall of Remembrance during their visit to the Australian War Memorial on ANZAC Day on April 25. Gary Ramage, Pool/Getty Images.
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