Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at Government House this evening. Photo / pool
Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge at Government House this evening. Photo / pool
Prince William got a laugh or two with his speech and gave a few insights into his young son's sleeping habits at a state reception at Government House in Wellington this evening.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were guests of Governor-General Sir Jerry Mateparae and his wife Lady Janine at the reception for 200 where some of New Zealand's finest foods were showcased and the Prince unveiled a new portrait of his grandmother, the Queen.
Prince William's speech began with a Maori greeting, and he got a loud "kia ora'' in response.
"No insults yet," he quipped to laughter from the audience.
He thanked the Governor-General for having him and the Duchess to stay.
"I hope George doesn't keep you up. He can be very vocal at 3am. I swear I heard him doing the haka this morning. He's a bonny lad and I'm fairly sure he will be a prop forward," he said.
Prince William said he was certain Catherine would leave with the same affection for New Zealand as he had.
Image 1 of 6: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge meets with New Zealand Prime Minister John Key during Day 4 of a Royal Tour to New Zealand at Government House. Photo / Getty Images
He said being the first country to give women the vote was an early sign of that.
He said that was combined with a beautiful landscape, and some very nice wine as well."
Kate again stunned with her wardrobe, wearing a Jenny Packham bespoke dress, black with fern hand-stitched beading on the shoulders to reflect the NZ theme.
The painting, by New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell, was commissioned for the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
The Queen is depicted in a simple blue day dress and wearing the silver fern brooch she has loaned to the Duchess of Cambridge for her New Zealand tour.
Prince William said New Zealanders' "fondness for my grandmother the Queen'' was what struck struck him most, before before unveiling the portrait.
The portrait will be hung as part of the permanent collection in the gallery's home in Shed 11 on Queen's Wharf in Wellington.
Before the reception began, the couple went down a line, greeting the guests who included Prime Minister John Key, Labour leader David Cunliffe, Speaker David Carter and Maori Party leader Te Ururoa Flavell.
Sir Jerry gave a good-humoured speech, saying their visit was notable for a number of firsts.
He said one was that it was Prince George's first trip overseas and Catherine's first visit to New Zealand.
"Undeniably though, the prestige goes to Prince George. And I would say there has been a hubbub of delight from New Zealanders with his arrival."
Sir Jerry said one of the main aims of the visit was to showcase New Zealand.
"Unfortunately the weather hasn't co-operated. Although I would point out there are some people in the room and many farmers who would welcome the weather pattern coming across the country."
Those at the reception included Prime Minister John Key and wife Bronagh, Labour leader David Cunliffe and his wife Karen, many MPs from all parties and some judges, including Chief Justice Dame Sian Elias and Sir Hugh Fletcher.
Green co-leaders Russel Norman and Metiria Turei did not attend, but Prince William did stop to talk to Green MPs Gareth Hughes, Kennedy Graham and Steffan Browning, having what appeared to be a convivial conversation with the most republican-minded party in Parliament.
Guests were bunched into small groups and told to stay in position while the royals were separated and escorted subtly from group to group for a chat to ensure everybody there had time with either the Duke or Duchess.
Labour MPs including Phil Goff, David Shearer, and Jacinda Ardern were among the first to speak to the Duchess, who then moved on to a cluster of NZ First MPs although Winston Peters was not there. Police Minister Anne Tolley had time with Prince William.
New Zealand's finest produce was the order of the day at the reception.
The royals and esteemed guest - mainly MPs, judges, diplomats and military personnel - dined on canapes which included locally made Zany Zeus feta, potted Lake Taupo trout, braised Cardrona and Merino lamb tarts and Waikanae crab toasts.
Earlier, Prince William held meetings with both Mr Key and Mr Cunliffe, although what they spoke about on a formal level was off limits.
Prince William told Mr Key he expected his race against Catherine on the America's Cup boats in Auckland tomorrow to be "a bit of healthy competition."
The Prince greeted the Prime Minister warmly after Mr Key said it was good to have him back in New Zealand.
"It's good to be back. Thank you for having me,'' the Duke of Cambridge told him
Mr Key said the weather was expected to be a bit better in Auckland and in Queenstown next week.
Prince William said it would be "just my luck" if the Americas Cup race had to be abandoned because of the weather. He said he had been telling everyone he would win it, and laughed when Mr Key asked if it was a bit of competition.
"a bit of healthy competition, yes."
He also indicated he was looking forward to the wine-tasting the royals will have in Queenstown: "We drove through the vineyards [ in Marlborough] today and I was getting quite thirsty."
Prince William asked Mr Cunliffe how he had enjoyed the visit to Blenheim today before saying going there had been "poignant for me" as an RAF pilot.
Image 1 of 30: The Haydon family: dad Shane, 21-month-old Edward, William, 5, Samuel, 3, and mum Sarah wait in the crowd at Syemour Square Blenheim. Photo / Kurt Bayer
He had enjoyed the visit to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre.
"The whole museum is incredible. It's so important to keep the linkage of the generations."
Mr Cunliffe gave him a silver and black plaque with koru fern fronds on it and explained the meaning of the symbol, saying it meant renewal and nurturing.
The Prince said it was "super" and he liked the colour scheme.
Mr Cunliffe said it resembled the skies since he had arrived, prompting a smile from the Prince.
