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April 10, 2014

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Curious George revels in royal play

BRITAIN’S baby Prince George hosted his first official function yesterday — maintaining a regal calm on a play date with New Zealand toddlers, even as some of his tiny guests burst into tears.

The play session at Wellington’s Government House was organized by non-profit childcare group Plunket to give Prince William and Kate a relaxed start to a three-week tour of New Zealand and Australia after arriving in the capital on Monday.

Formalities were cast aside for the occasion, with the eight-month-old prince crawling on the floor alongside 10 local babies while his proud parents looked on.

George, who was born on July 22 last year, looked comfortable in the spotlight, playing with a tambourine and exercising his royal prerogative to snatch a doll from the mouth of a little girl.

Inquisitive nature

Wellington photographer Grant Collinge, whose 8-month-old Lukas was among the babies, said George showed an inquisitive nature and it was clear he “was his own little man.”

“He took control and went into the middle of the circle of toys. He hunted out the biggest toy, propped himself up and owned the place, basically,” Collinge said.

The babies mingled in a room with a large portrait of George’s great-grandmother Queen Elizabeth II looking down from the wall.

There were tears from some of the other infants as introductions were made but George appeared calm even after dropping a toy.

The prince’s play time is expected to be his last public appearance in New Zealand, where he will remain based in Wellington under the care of Spanish nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo as his parents make day trips.

The visit takes a sombre tone today, when William will lay a wreath at a war memorial in the South Island town of Blenheim.


 

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