Yahoo Lifestyle Royal Tour nears the end in Canberra
As the Royal Tour of Australia and New Zealand draws to a close, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spend their second last day touring Canberra.
In a special reception at Government House, Prince William and Kate arrived for their first, and only, evening event while in the country.
The Duchess looked radiant dressed in a white cocktail dress designed by American Lela Rose.
Prince WIlliam and Kate at Government House. The duchess was dressed in a cocktail dress designed by Lela Rose. Photo: Getty Images
The Duke and Duchess met three of Australia's surviving Victoria Cross recipients at the intimate reception hosted by the governor-general.
Prince William and his wife Kate arrived back at the residence of Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, where they have been staying with their son Prince George.
They walked down from their suite at government house in Yarralumla to the drawing room where a hundred guests from the arts, business, charity, conservation and sporting fields stood by to greet them.
The royal couple mingled with the likes of Football Federation Australia CEO David Gallop, footballer Harry Kewell, cricketer Ellyse Perry, former pro-surfer Layne Beachley, INXS rocker Kirk Pengilly and sailor Jessica Watson.
They also met Australia's three serving Victoria Cross recipients - Corporals Daniel Keighran and Benjamin Roberts-Smith and SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson. They were among four Australians awarded the honour for their actions in Afghanistan. Corporal Cameron Baird was awarded the VC posthumously earlier this year.
Australia's fourth surviving VC recipient, Keith Payne, was not in attendance.
In a speech saluting the royal couple, the governor general said it was fortunate that Australia would have their company on Anzac day services in Canberra on Friday.
"I'm so pleased, I am delighted, that you will be here in Canberra to take part," Sir Peter said.
He also paid tribute to the "eminent" young Australians attending the intimate gathering.
"They are looking forward to meeting you," Sir Peter told the duke and duchess.
Earlier in the day, the Duke and Duchess came face-to-face with our own little piece of royalty, with the couple stopping by a portrait of Hobart-born Danish Crown Princess Mary.
Prince William and Kate were visiting the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra as the sun began to set on their tour of Australia.
Accompanied by Prince William, Kate - who graduated with honours in art history - weaved her way through some of the gallery's exhibition rooms.
Kate came face-to-face with our own Princess Mary at the National Portrait Gallery. Photo: Getty Images
Along her trail was a 2005 oil painting of Princess Mary.
The royal wives and future queens met in person for the first time in Copenhagen in 2012.
Kate told artist Jiawei Shen, who painted the portrait of the Crown Princess of Denmark nine years ago, that it was "very real".
They kicked off the day at the National Arboretum where they planted an English oak tree in front of a crowd of 50 people who won their places in a special ballot.
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The Duke and Duchess plant a tree with the help of six-year-old twins Oliver and Sebastian Lye. Source: Getty
Kate wore an emerald green coat dress by Catherine Walker, whom she has worn on a number of occasions during the royal tour.
Six-year-old twins, Oliver and Sebastian Lye were selected to help the Royal couple water the tree.
Students from Black Mountain School made a presentation before they toured the pod playground and met with local children.
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Following news overnight that Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall's brother, Mark Shand had passed away, William and Kate issued a statement ahead of their engagements in Canberra.
"The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were saddened to learn this morning of the tragic death of Mark Shand", it read.
"Their thoughts are with the Duchess of Cornwall and her family at this time."
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A little after 1pm Prince William and Kate headed Parliament House for a reception hosted by Prime Minister, Tony Abbott.
The Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition both gave speeches, as did William, in which he revealed he and brother Harry will take part in next year’s Centenary of Gallipoli campaign.
He also reflected on the family's time in Australia.
“We go away with wonderful memories, and George goes away with his cuddly wombat, which he has taken to chewing so lovingly,” he said.
“We greatly look forward to coming back. And when we do return, it will be to marvel again at all that Australia is, and will yet become.”
"Australia has a quality of life and a level of excellence that makes it a magnet, an enormously attractive place to live, trade, invest and indeed just visit," he said.
"The arts and sciences flourish, Australian sporting success is legendary, agriculture - from the traditional to the technologically most advanced - is hugely successful."
Ahead of Anzac Day tomorrow the Prince also paid tribute to Australians who fought bravely in past overseas conflicts.
"As those who were involved pass on, succeeding generations must remember and keep vivid the sacrifice they made," William said.
During his speech, the Prime Minister described the Royals as “bigger than Kelly Slater”.
“A couple of years back, Kelly Slater visited Manly in my electorate. There were over a thousand screaming fans as you’d expect when the world’s greatest surfer visits the world’s greatest beach," he said.
“But as I have seen with my own eyes, sir, ma’am, in Manly, you are bigger than Kelly Slater.”
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ACT Chief Minister Katy Gallagher says she is looking forward hosting the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in Canberra.
"It's a privilege for me as Chief Minister to welcome them and they seem like a very nice couple. I think it's going to be a wonderful Canberra day," she said.
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The Royals will remain in Canberra overnight, attending the national Anzac Day ceremony at the Australian War Memorial on Friday before departing.
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