The Royal Family Departs Australia After Attending Canberra Event
After a lengthy visit to Australia, the Royal family is finally heading home to England.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took their baby George with them on a three week trip during which time they toured New Zealand and Australia. For their last day in the Land Down Under, the family celebrated Canberra, a holiday that commemorates the dawn landing of Anzac troops at Gallipoli.
Seeing the Royal family off were members of the Australian parliament, to include Prime Minister Tony Abbot, Governer General Sir Peter Cosgrove, accompanied by his wife, Bill Shorten, Opposition Leader, and Katy Gallagher, the ACT Chief Minister.
Before departing, however, the Duke and Duchess visited the dawn service at the Australian War Memorial, arriving around 5 AM local time. Kate wore a beautiful emerald green Catherine Walker dress to the memorial and her husband William wore medals he earned during his service in the Royal Air Force. The couple were joined by Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten.
During the service, the Royal couple received praise for their warmth and grace during their visit to New Zealand and Australia. Prime Minister Abbott voiced his admiration for Prince William’s ‘sense of duty of your father and the passion of your mother.’ Abbott was not the only one to speak of the couple with admiration. Opposition Leader Bill Shorten also commended the Royal couple, even poking a bit of fun at the long time sporting rivalries between Australia and Britain.
‘Regardless of whether the Lions or the Wallabies prevail, regardless of who holds the Ashes or takes home the most Olympic gold, you can be assured that you and all of the members of your family will be embraced in Australia with affection and respect.’ Said Abbott during the ceremony.
Prince William gave a moving speech during which he acknowledged the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. He also expressed his deep appreciation for Australia’s commitment to wildlife preservation.
Upon boarding their plane for their departure, Princess Kate was quoted as saying, ‘We go away with wonderful memories, and George goes away with his cuddly wombat, which he has taken to chewing so lovingly.’
The Royal family flew from their departure point to Sydney, where they transferred to their flight headed home to the Royal palace. This trip to New Zealand and Australia took William and his family through a tour of Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Ayers Rock.
[Photo Credit: Telegraph]
