The Duke and Duchess are meeting with senior politicians, returned service men and women and some three thousand supporters in Blenheim today where they are attending a wreath-laying ceremony and commemoration service.
- The Duke and Duchess meet with returned service men and women, senior politicians and 5,000 locals in Blenheim
- They laid a wreath marking the World War One sacrifice and attended a commemoration service with 100 veterans
- Kate and William will meet Sir Peter Jackson later in the day for a guided tour of the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre
- The Duke will later unveil a portrait of the Queen at a state reception at Government House on Thursday evening
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were greeted by thousands of cheering, flag waving crowds for the first time on their tour of New Zealand today.
Arriving in Blenheim, situated in the heart of Marlborough wine country, William and Kate looked delighted at the patriotic welcome.
Kate, 31, was radiant in a a military blue Alexander McQueen coat with her hair swept back in a ponytail as she and her husband stepped from their official car to take part in a service of remembrance for New Zealand's war dead and to lay a wreath in their memory.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a wreath-laying and commemoration service in Blenheim this morning where they were greeted by crowds of cheering locals
The Duchess looked delighted as she greeted members of the crowd and received a bouquet of flowers and a series of hand written cards
Prince William shared a laugh with a number of elderly veterans. He wore Golden and Diamond jubilee medals given to him by the Queen
After leaving the memorial, the Duke and Duchess split and made their way around Seymour Square meeting the public for the first time on this tour.
Accompanied by Blenheim’s Mayor Alistair Sowman and Lady Mayoress Delma Sowman, the couple walked through the memorial clock tower and prepared to go out into Seymour Square where an expectant crowd was waiting.
The Duke spoke with girls from the local Marlborough Girls College, two of whom Olivia Burns and Alice Schofield had earlier sung the anthem, God Defend New Zealand.
Accompanied by Blenheim’s Mayor Alistair Sowman and Lady Mayoress Delma Sowman, the couple walked through the memorial clock tower and prepared to go out into Seymour Square where an expectant crowd was waiting.
The Duke spoke with girls from the local Marlborough Girls College, two of whom Olivia Burns and Alice Schofield had earlier sung the anthem, God Defend New Zealand.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in a service of remembrance for New Zealand's war dead and laid a wreath in their memory
Reign supreme in regal Alexander McQueen
William and Kate laid a wreath containing their own handwritten messages to mark 100 years since World War One . Kate's note read: 'Never forgetting those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom'
The royal couple looked solemn as they bowed their heads in respect. They were accompanied by senior politicians and returned service men and women at the War Memorial in Seymour Square
Kate was radiant in a a military blue Alexander McQueen coat with her hair swept back in a ponytail. She clutched a navy blue purse and wore suede pumps in the same hue
As she spoke with young mothers in the crowd, one baby wearing a green knitted hat burst out crying.
The Duchess smiled as the baby’s mother rocked the infant. She then patted one baby boy in the crowd briefly on the head, and was given a gift-wrapped teddy bear.
She later spoke at length to Wilton Sterritt, who fought for the Royal New Zealand Navy in the Second World War.
The Marlborough resident, who saw fighting in the Atlantic, the Indian Ocean and with the Pacific Fleet, showed Kate a picture of him with the Duke of Edinburgh in 1974.
Kate bent down to talk to a group of young girls who gifted her a bouquet of flowers
World War Two veteran Wilton Sterritt shared a photo of himself with Prince Phillip with the Duchess much to her delight
The Duchess smiled as she shook hands with a crowd of young women
Kate waved to a young boy who had been lifted onto his parent's shoulders (L) while William shook hands with a number of locals (R)
The Duchess was a clear favourite among the crowd with throngs of people waving and calling out to her
It was taken, he explained, when he was part of the Commonwealth Games committee organising shooting events.
The Duchess giggled and said: 'You've changed a bit!' as she pointed at his bright orange outfit and remarked that Philip had done too.
'She was beautiful and just charming. I am over 90 so my mind is a bit of a blur about what she said but she seemed tickled by the picture my daughter dug out for me,' he said.
One mother had an embarrassing moment when her nine-month-old son sneezed all over the Duchess.
Reign supreme in regal Alexander McQueen
The Duchess wore a pair of diamond and sapphire earrings which match her engagement ring
The Duke and Duchess walked down a red carpet towards the memorial and paused at the end to pay their respects
The Duke and Duchess spoke animatedly to local dignitaries
HEY, IT'S ME WITH YOUR GRANDPA-IN-LAW
World War Two veteran Wilton Sterritt had a special photograph to show the Duchess – of himself with her grandfather-in-law.
The photograph shows a much younger Mr Sterritt with a relaxed looking Prince Phillip.
The 90-year-old naval serviceman told the New Zealand Herald the photo was of the Duke of Edinburgh at the 1974 Commonwealth Games which were held in Christchurch.
Mr Sterritt was one of 10 serviceman who met the Duchess and he described her as ‘just beautiful’.
Mr Sterritt said he was on the Games organising committee, and ‘I had to show him around all the shooting venues’.
While Mr Sterritt, who was a naval seaman, acknowledged the photo was a hit with Kate, he confessed to not being too aware of the conversation when asked what they discussed.
‘I've got short memory,’' he laughed.
The photograph shows a much younger Mr Sterritt with a relaxed looking Prince Phillip.
The 90-year-old naval serviceman told the New Zealand Herald the photo was of the Duke of Edinburgh at the 1974 Commonwealth Games which were held in Christchurch.
Mr Sterritt was one of 10 serviceman who met the Duchess and he described her as ‘just beautiful’.
Mr Sterritt said he was on the Games organising committee, and ‘I had to show him around all the shooting venues’.
While Mr Sterritt, who was a naval seaman, acknowledged the photo was a hit with Kate, he confessed to not being too aware of the conversation when asked what they discussed.
‘I've got short memory,’' he laughed.
'But they laughed, and I was OK about it, because even though she is royalty she is a mum too, and knows what it is like to have a baby. She took it all in her stride.
'I thanked her for coming, and she said that it was lovely to be here and Marlborough is beautiful. It was just wonderful that they came here. It says something about them as people, that they are thinking about the small town provinces.'
After a slow start to the trip, including two nights’ stay at the luxury Wharekauhau Lodge just outside of Wellington with their son, Prince George, to help get over their jet lag, the royal tour has now kicked off in earnest.
The couple’s Royal New Zealand Air Force jet arrived at RNZAF Base Woodbourne on South Island at 10.45am following a short flight from their base in Wellington, after which William and Kate were immediately whisked off to Seymour Square in the heart of Blenheim, to lay a wreath at the town’s war memorial.
The clock tower commemorates those from the Marlborough Province who died in the First and Second World Wars.
The 100th anniversary of the First World War will be marked by senior royals led by the Queen in France later this year.
The people of Blenheim are particularly proud of the landmark, which has been designed to incorporate materials from every part of the Marlborough Region: stones in the upper part of the monument are Amuri limestone, whiles those that make up the lower part are greywacke.
Little girls dressed as princesses and young boys wearing crowns, along with schoolchildren in their uniforms lined the streets of Blenheim and Seymour Square.
Thousands of flag waving royal watchers – some queuing from 4.30am to secure the best spot - had turned out to catch a glimpse of the couple at the ceremony, designed to pay tribute to those who have sacrificed their lives in conflicts throughout the centuries.
Twenty veterans of the Second World War - as well as more recent conflicts - were also present and due to be introduced to the royal couple at the end of the event.
A wreath of red carnations and roses was waiting for William to place on the memorial which bore a card written by the prince saying: 'Never forgetting those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.'
William had signed the card as had Catherine.
After the ceremony the couple will visit the remarkable Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre, a short distance down the road.
Here the royal party will be given a personal tour of the ‘Knights of the Sky’ exhibition, an outstanding display of First World War aircraft collected by Lord of the Rings film director Sir Peter Jackson.
The keen aviator and local resident will give the couple a personal tour of the stunning exhibition, as well as a static display of aircraft and vehicles from the Great War.
Later the couple will fly back to Wellington where William is due to meet New Zealand’s Prime Minister, John Key, and the leader of the opposition at Government House.
This evening Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, the Queen’s representative in New Zealand, will throw a glittering state reception at his white-washed residence.
Although it is not a ‘tiara-worthy’ occasion, the Duchess is expected to dazzle in cocktail dress and jewels, possible showcasing local designers.
William will address the gathering with a short speech before unveiling a portrait of his grandmother by a New Zealand artist.
This evening Governor General, Sir Jerry Mateparae, the Queen’s representative in New Zealand, will throw a glittering state reception at his white-washed residence.
Although it is not a ‘tiara-worthy’ occasion, the Duchess is expected to dazzle in cocktail dress and jewels, possible showcasing local designers.
William will address the gathering with a short speech before unveiling a portrait of his grandmother by a New Zealand artist.
Some of the more nimble among the crowd climbed nearby trees to get a better view of the royal couple
Eager local supporters lined the Seymour Square War Memorial waving English and New Zealand flags
Kate and William's visit to Blenheim is their first opportunity to engage with members of the public since embarking on their three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand on Monday
Many children were present to greet the Duke and Duchess, some wore crowns while others waved flags
Cheering crowds waving New Zealand and British flags come out to get a glimpse of the Cambridges
Prince George will not be accompanying his parents at any of their engagements on Thursday as he spends the day privately with his nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, 43.
The young heir made his debut official public appearance on Wednesday when he enjoyed a dynamic playdate with ten lucky families.
The royal family arrived in Wellington on Monday to begin their three-week tour of Australian and New Zealand on behalf of the Queen.
Prince George was accompanied by the Duke and Duchess on a playdate with ten lucky families at Government House in Wellington on Wednesday
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