Many New Zealanders remember the sight of an infant Prince William playing with a buzzy bee toy on the lawn at Government House with his parents Prince Charles, and the late Princess Diana.
That was over 30 years ago, in 1983, and on Monday William, the Duke of Cambridge, brings his own family to New Zealand for a nine-day visit.
Photo: AFP
The visit of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge is expected to attract thousands of people, eager for a glimpse of the trio, with particular attention directed at the young Duchess and eight-month-old Prince George.
Once their plane touches down at the military terminal at Wellington Airport, the Royal family will be escorted to Government House, and the footpaths along the seaside route via Oriental Bay are expected to be packed with royal fans.
The Governor-General and Plunket will on Wednesday host the royals at a special Plunket play group at Government House where, in 1983, a 10-month-old Prince William crawled on the lawn with the buzzy bee toy.
Plunket area manager Tina Syme said the the Kiwi-style session will include 10 families with their babies. She said the children won't understand the full impact of that until they're grown up and are shown photos of the time they played with Prince George.
Monarchy New Zealand vice chair Chloe Oldfield said the Plunket event is less traditional than perhaps when Prince Charles, Princess Diana and the baby Prince William visited.
Accessible
Ms Oldfield said the get-together with ordinary New Zealand families is about making the Royal family more available to the public.
On Thursday the Royal tour goes provincial, rolling into Blenheim. The couple will lay a wreath at the War Memorial in Seymour Square and attend a flying event at the nearby Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, hosted by Sir Peter Jackson.
Marlborough District Council mayor Alistair Sowman said the town has been getting prepared for the visit of a lifetime and sprucing up various landmarks with fresh coats of paint.
He said the council brought its maintenance programme forward in anticipation of the royal arrival, and the Clock Tower and Council building exterior have been painted along and lawns mowed.
On Friday the Royal family will be in Auckland and on Saturday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit Cambridge.
Waipa District Council Mayor Jim Mylchreest said a new national cycling venue, the Avanti Drome, is being opened with a royal touch.
Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge pose with their son Prince George and pet dog Lupo at Kensington Palace. Photo: AFP / Kensington Palace / Camera Press / Jason Bell
While in New Zealand, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will base themselves in Wellington and make day trips to regional centres, and attractions like the Shotover jet, vineyards and sailing in Auckland on America's Cup yachts.
Tourism New Zealand chief executive Kevin Bowler said the tour will bring New Zealand to a global audience.
He said 130 international media organisations will be visiting during the royal tour and spin-offs for this country will be immense.
Prince William, Catherine the Duchess of Cambridge and the young Prince George depart Wellington for Australia on 16 April.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Wellington (7, 9 and 16 April).
- Blenheim (10 April)
- Auckland (11 April)
- Hamilton and Cambridge (12 April)
- Dunedin and Queenstown (13 April)
- Christchurch (14 April)
- Wellington (16 April)
Monday 11.30am The Duke and Duchess and Prince George arrive at Wellington airport military terminal and drive along Oriental Parade for a 12.30pm welcome at Government House.
Wednesday 2.30pm Plunket nurse and parents visit Government House.
Arrive at RNZAF Base Woodbourne for 11am wreath-laying in Blenheim, followed by a public walk in Seymour Square and at 1.15 pm a WWI flying day.
Back at Government House that evening, there will be meetings with politicians, a state reception, and the unveiling of a royal portrait.
The royal party will fly to Whenuapai in time to meet Air Force families, and make a 12.15pm excursion to the Viaduct Basin for yacht racing.
Prince William visits Pacific Aerospace and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, visits children's hospice Rainbow Place.
Public walk in Cambridge, before opening a velodrome and national cycling centre.
10am service at St Paul's Cathedral in The Octagon.
11.45am rugby tournament at Forsyth Barr stadium.
In the afternoon, there will be a winery visit and jet-boating on the Shotover River.
A visit to CTV memorial park, and the cardboard cathedral, before a lunchtime walk through Latimer Square to a meet young cricketers.
Opening a visitors' centre in the local botanical gardens will be followed by a look at Christchurch's redevelopment plans, before returning to the capital for a day off.
Police College visit before a drive along Victoria Street, and a walk in Civic Square
