Prince William and Catherine honour New Zealand's war dead

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have paid their respects to New Zealand's war dead as their royal tour continues.

Some 5,000 people turned out on the streets of Blenheim to give them a warm welcome to the country's South Island.

William and Catherine laid a wreath in a service at the town's war memorial, followed by a walkabout to meet people.

The couple's baby son Prince George was not with them and will not be making any more appearances on their 19-day tour of New Zealand and Australia.

Many waved union jacks and offered flowers and presents as the crowds greeted William and Catherine, who wore a blue Alexander McQueen coat.

Baby talk

On Wednesday, Prince George attended his first official public engagement at a "crawl-about" with babies of similar age at Government House in Wellington, with childcare group Plunket.

Zella Vile, who is in her 70s, handed over a pair of brown booties to the duke who thanked her and said: "These will fit him quite well."

She said: "It took me just a day to make them, it's my hobby. I just thought George is lovely and I'll make something for him."

The duchess's attention was drawn to a baby in the crowd in Blenheim

Thousands of people took to the streets to give the royal couple a rapturous reception

People were eager to capture a view of William and Catherine

The duke and duchess attended a service at the town's war memorial

The duchess went on to meet and chat to war veterans

The duke climbed into the cockpit of a World War One biplane at an aviation museum
Prince William also received a tiny teddy bear from a well-wisher and was given a friendship bracelet from a little boy and immediately put it on his right wrist.

Jan Cross, 55, who emigrated from Britain to New Zealand seven years ago, joked with William about looking after his son: "I said 'is George OK?' and William said 'yes' and I asked if he enjoyed himself at Plunket and he said he had.

"Then he said 'you can do some babysitting for us if you like'. I would love to help out with George for the day."

The eight-month-old prince, who is teething, was the topic of conversation when the duke stopped to chat to Annette Michna-Konigstorfer, 55.

She said: "I asked him how his kid was and he said he hopes he's not chewing everything at Government House. William was fantastic and wonderful - I love all the Royal Family."

Source:BBC