Prince George, the 12-year-old son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, recently delighted royal watchers on an official trip to Australia. There, he encountered a bilby named George, and it was a magical encounter for all. Check out this wild interaction which took place at Taronga Zoo. Just another day’s adventure for the young royal down under!
Prince George’s first visit Down Under was in April 2014. At only eight months old, he accompanied his parents, William and Kate, on this landmark journey. Since then, he has spent months on the road with them. His adventures make for great reading, including visits to Canada in 2016, and Poland and Germany in 2017. His enthusiasm for Australia and New Zealand hasn’t waned, either, and he is already talking about going back.
On this latest visit, Prince George was spoiled with a specially convened playgroup at Government House in Wellington. Yet he was most captivated by a wooden bead stacker toy, a testament to his childlike wonder and mischievous mind.
Photography caught the adorable moment between Prince George and mama Kate Middleton. Bounding up to her from behind, George snuggled up to Ciara while tugging on her braided hair—a clear display of their affection. The young prince dazzled the court with his grace and exuberance. He was very hands on with the fans and immersed himself in all of the activities during the trip.
The royal family’s schedule also called for a visit with Australian reservist Corporal Adam Hamilton at Wellington Barracks in London. This engagement deepened their sense of connection to Australia and served as a reminder of the long-standing invitation for the royal family to visit.
“George finds it fascinating that he has been to Australia and New Zealand. I would like to go back there with them now. It’s finding time to do that.” – The Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton
Kate further elaborated on their experiences abroad, stating, “We tend to go further afield when it’s official visits… It’s making sure that you can combine a bit of work with the children.” This negative attitude comes in direct opposition to the family’s statement on going to great lengths to separate government work from family time.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed optimism about future royal visits to Australia, saying, “I’m certainly hoping there will be one. There’s a standing invitation that the royal family are always welcome in Australia.” Beyond the friendly welcome, this warm welcome highlights the depth of the bilateral relationship.
Prince George’s new animated nature first came across too during his visit to the zoo yesterday where he got to meet the bilby of his namesake. The young prince’s animated version of himself, which “couldn’t stop wiggling,” added a playful touch to the encounter, much to the delight of onlookers.
When the family departed Australia, Prince George’s mummy was photographed carrying him onto the plane. This moment signaled the start of the end of another fantastic leg of their journey together. His feelings about Australia matured on this trip. It was not just the usual cosmopolitanism that amplified his cultural capital as a young Habsburg.
