Royal couple in Canberra for last leg of tour
In Prince William's mind Australia is a brave nation and on the last night of his tour Down Under the popular royal met three of the best.
Behind closed doors at Canberra's majestic Government House on the eve of Anzac Day, William and his wife Kate were greeted by three of Australia's surviving Victoria Cross recipients.
Corporals Daniel Keighran and Benjamin Roberts-Smith along with SAS Trooper Mark Donaldson joined about 100 guests - representing the arts, business, charity, conservation, the military and sport - at a reception hosted by Governor-General Peter Cosgrove.
Earlier on Thursday William - who served in the British military for seven and a half years - tipped his hat to Australian troops.
"Over the years, Australians have fought bravely for freedom in numerous conflicts," he said in only his second speech during a 10-day tour of Australia, delivered at the Great Hall of Parliament House.
William added that along with brother Prince Harry, he and Kate looked forward to being part of events for the Anzac centenary in 2015, marking 100 years since Aussie diggers landed on the shores of Gallipoli.
A palace spokesman later confirmed their involvement but said it was yet to be determined if the royals will travel to Turkey for the April 25 commemorative service.
During a brief speech at Thursday's reception Sir Peter thanked the couple for showing a genuine interest in the lives of Australians.
"Particularly through your commitment to conservation, supporting members of our armed forces and their families, and helping children and young people," he said.
William and Kate will be part of Anzac Day commemorations in Canberra on Friday, attending the mid-morning service at the War Memorial, where they will lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier and plant a tree.
"We are all delighted that you will be here in Canberra to take part," Sir Peter said.
The couple picked up a shovel to start their Thursday, planting a tree at the National Arboretum, where 50 Canberrans, selected by ballot, were lucky enough to schmooze with royalty.
Among the crowd was Canberra mother of five Moira Lye and her six-year-old sons Oliver and Sebastian who watered the fleshly-planted English Oak Tree.
Sebastian, who has Down Syndrome and is hearing and visually impaired, was told he had done a "good job" by William.
After a stopoff at Parliament House, where royalty mixed with politicians, it was on to the National Portrait Gallery.
Kate, who graduated with honours in art history, told people in the crowd afterwards that the gallery was filled with wonderful works.
The duchess spent the day in a bold green Catherine Walker dress, matched with her trademark beige heels.
For the evening engagement she changed into a white cocktail dress by US designer Lela Rose, her hair swept up.
The couple, along with their son Prince George, will jet out of Australia on Friday afternoon.
'MAGNET FOR THE WORLD'
The Duke of Cambridge has spoken of his deep admiration for Australia, calling it a magnet for the world.
In his second and final public speech of a week-long visit to Australia with wife Catherine and baby George, Prince William spoke of his anticipation ahead of his arrival in Sydney.
"Anticipation has become deep admiration. There is so much to admire about Australia," he said in the speech in the Great Hall of Parliament House in Canberra on Thursday.
He spoke in particular of the "priceless inheritance" of Aboriginal culture.
"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."
Australia was a country that was in the front rank internationally, William said.
Prince William said the Asia Pacific region was a key actor in confronting the global challenges of the 21st century.
"It is enormously important and reassuring that Australia is at the heart," he said.
He 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.
It was with much reluctance and happy memories that his family leave Australia on Friday.
"George goes away with his cuddly wombat which he has taken to chewing so lovingly," he said.
Prince William said the Asia Pacific region was a key actor in confronting the global challenges of the 21st century.
"It is enormously important and reassuring that Australia is at the heart," he said.
He 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.
It was with much reluctance and happy memories that his family leave Australia on Friday.
"George goes away with his cuddly wombat which he has taken to chewing so lovingly," he said.
In a brief address Prime Minister Tony Abbott pointed out that the couple's trip was the 50th royal visit to Australia, adding that it would be remembered as one of the very best.
He compared the royal couple to world champion surfer Kelly Slater, who visited Manly a couple of years back.
There were more than a thousand screaming fans "as you'd expect" when the world's greatest surfer visited the world's greatest beach.
"But as I have seen with my own eyes sir, ma'am, in Manly you are bigger than Kelly Slater - perhaps by a factor of ten."
Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said the Duke and Duchess had brought renewed vigour to the royal family.
He told a personal story involving a photograph of William's great-grandfather George VI, taken at the launch of a ship at Newcastle-upon-Tyne around 1931.
Three guests to the right of the then Duke of York stood a bowler-hatted gentleman proudly watching on.
"My great grandfather, a Tyneside dock worker," Mr Shorten told the couple.
"It's only taken us 83 years for our families to catch up again, but it is a distinct pleasure."
PLANTING ROOTS
Earlier, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the National Arboretum in Canberra, the final city in their royal tour of Australia and New Zealand.
Prince William and Kate became the first royals to add to the arboretum’s collection by helping plant an English oak tree.
They then mixed with a group of 50 people lucky enough to win a ballot to meet the royals, even playing with children on the playground.
Their next engagement is at Parliament House at 1pm where they will attend a reception hosted by Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the Great Hall.
There they are expected to be presented with two ACT Brumbies jerseys, one for Prince William and one for Prince George.
The royal couple will remain in Canberra for ANZAC Day, attending the ceremony at the Australian War Memorial.
Canberra is the final stop for the royal visit to Australia and New Zealand.
The royal couple yesterday had a flying visit to Adelaide, where they focused on youth in the northern suburb of Elizabeth.
