PLAYTIME: Although currently enjoying 48 hours of downtime at the Wharekauhau Lodge luxury retreat in Palliser Bay, just outside of Wellington, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge headed briefly back to Government House on Wednesday afternoon with Prince George – for a playdate.
Organized by the Royal New Zealand Plunket Society, a parent support group and held inside the Blundell Drawing Room, George met with ten local babies who were born within a fortnight of his July 22nd birthday last year. For his first official public engagement, George wore a pair of smocked navy cotton “Sailboat” dungarees from British luxury children’s wear brand Rachel Riley, a white shirt with navy piping, navy soft shoes and socks.
The Duchess wore the “Paulina” dress from Tory Burch’s Resort 2014 collection, a short-sleeved, black and white latticework pattern knit dress with fringe trim, teamed with black pumps.
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Speaking to the informality of the occasion, Prince William wore a blue shirt over dark blue jeans, brown loafers and a black and white ‘Pasifika’ style shell bead belt.
At one point all 11 sets of parents sat in a circle on the carpet, while the babies played with a pile of toys in the middle.
The royal tour will crank back into high gear on Thursday.
In the morning, the Duke and Duchess will fly down to attend a public wreath laying ceremony at the Blenheim War Memorial and Clock Tower, in the south island, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the start of WWI. In the early afternoon they will visit the Knights of the Sky exhibition and a WWI vehicle and aircraft display at the nearby Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, together with “The Lord of the Rings” director Sir Peter Jackson. In the evening they will attend a State Reception back at Government House in Wellington, during which William will give the first speech of the tour and unveil a portrait of the Queen.
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