Of course it’s hard not to fall for this genetically blessed young family. Princess Diana’s son returning to the place he too witnessed at baby George’s age; his beautiful wife, not a haughty aristocrat who takes this ivory tower life for granted, but a commoner who clearly adores her husband so much she’s prepared to take on the rigours and strangeness of life in the spotlight; and the delicious baby George – chubby, confident and bursting with personality.
But don’t be fooled. This sort of pageant is not easy to pull off. While maturing into his role as a royal patriarch, Prince William is not entirely comfortable in front of the media. In fact, watching him on this tour it was clear that the 31-year-old finds the constant clattering of camera shutters deeply disturbing and photo ops artificial and annoying. And considering what happened to his mother who can blame him.
Catherine started the tour with a similar approach, constantly looking to her husband to lead the way. But then suddenly on Good Friday at the Royal Easter Show and on Manly’s sun-kissed beach it was as if a switch had been flicked and the Duchess started to really enjoy herself.
William and Catherine at Manly beach.
Kate gave a speech that day – her first on Australian soil – at Bear Cottage, a palliative care unit for very sick children and at once grew in stature. Egged on by William, the Duchess commanded her audience with warmth, compassion, genuine interest and honesty. And it is these qualities, plus an engagingly unguarded grin, that have lifted Kate to new heights on this tour.
Catherine talks to some of the children at Bear Cottage.
Yes, her dresses have still been talked about more than her substance, but for the first time we were able to see what else this young royal has to offer and the future certainly looks bright.
The couple are at their best not with the media, but with the public – especially adolescents, children and everyone who spoke them – and there were many. All were utterly captivated.
This morning the royal couple got up before light and joined the thousands in Canberra at the Australian War Memorial. It wasn’t planned – just a genuine reaction to a city preparing to honour their dead. The royal family has always played a huge part in war memorial celebrations and in his speech yesterday at Parliament House, the Duke mentioned that he, Catherine and brother, Harry, would be taking part in Gallipoli centenary celebrations next year.
As for Prince George he could do no wrong. He squealed, he grinned, he waved his legs and arms, he chewed his giant wombat and he almost walked. He will not have any memory of this tour, although the photos will be with him for a lifetime and while he seems delighted to be in the spotlight now, there may well come a time when, like his father in his adolescence, he tries to shut the cameras out.
Prince George shares a smile with his dad Prince William.
One thing is certain… this is just the beginning of a long relationship with Australia for the Cambridge family. Everywhere they went, they promised to return and their interest in indigenous issues, children’s welfare and Australian life seemed to be pretty potent.
They were farewelled today shortly after 2pm at the Defence Establishment Fairbairn by an esteemed party, including republican Bill Shorten, the Leader of the Opposition; monarchist, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margie; and The Queen’s representative in Australia, Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove and his wife Lady Cosgrove.
But as has always been the case on this tour, all eyes were on baby George, who looked adorable in a red-knitted cardi and pink shorts carried in his mum’s arms. Walking across the tarmac and up the airplane steps, the family boarded the RAAF aircraft for Sydney for a change of plane to fly to London.
Prince George is carried on to the plane by the Duchess.
At the top they turned to wave and the huge bank of media photographers and cameramen went mad for one last time. The 19-day tour of Australia and New Zealand was over, but they will certainly be back.
It’s au revoir; not farewell.
