William, Catherine and George to visit Downunder

2nd March, 2014

A media release was issued by Kensington Palace today in connection to the Cambridge family's upcoming tour of Australia and New Zealand. 

There was much speculation about whether baby George would travel with his parents on this tour. Kensington Palace confirmed that he will join his parents and would be just eight months old.

The media release follows:

"As previously announced, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will visit New Zealand and Australia in April 2014.
Their Royal Highnesses, accompanied by Prince George, arrive in New Zealand on Monday 7th April, before travelling to Australia on Wednesday 16th April. The Royal Tour concludes on Friday 25th April.
The Duke and Duchess have been invited to visit by the New Zealand and Australian governments. While The Duke of Cambridge has visited both countries several times, The Duchess has yet to travel to either. The Tour will provide the opportunity for The Duke and Duchess to visit a number of towns and cities across both countries. Specific events will celebrate Australia's and New Zealand's success in the fields of technology, tourism, sports and the creative arts.
In what is the one-hundredth anniversary of the start of the First World War, The tour will also include several opportunities to recognise the sacrifice of members of the Australian and New Zealand armed forces. Among these, Their Royal Highnesses will attend a ceremony in Blenheim, New Zealand, and the ANZAC Commemorative Service in Canberra, Australia.
Prince William visited Christchurch shortly after the earthquake of February 2011. On this visit, Their Royal Highnesses will witness the city's reconstruction programme and view its plans for the future. They will also visit an area of the Blue Mountains in New South Wales badly hit by bushfires in October 2013."

Prince William first visited Australia and New Zealand with his parents the Prince and Princess of Wales in March and April 1983. The tour was six weeks long.

William was just nine months old at the time and this was a break in tradition. Previously, royal parents would travel and leave their children at home. Diana was having none of this and persuaded the Queen to allow William to travel with her and Prince Charles.

Given her age, it is unlikely part time nanny Jessie Webb will accompany George on the tour. A search for a more permanent replacement for Ms Webb is likely to be underway.

Wales Family before their 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand

 

William and Diana in Melbourne, 1983.