Saturday, April 19, 2014

Sunshine Day as Will & Kate Visit Brisbane

     It was another fine day of great weather and high spirits as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge participated in Day Four of their Australian tour. The royal couple touched down in Queensland, at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) base at Amberley, near Brisbane on the same day that James Cook sighted the East Coast of Australia for the first time in 1770.

      Upon arrival, they were greeted by members of the official party of leading dignitaries, which included Queensland's Premier, Campbell Newman, as well as its Governor (the Queen's representative), Penelope Wensley, and the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale, who last spent time with Prince William as the city was recovering from the 2011 floods. While Kate had a pleasant chat with the politicians and other officials, William inspected the Guard of Honor, as is customary for such visits.
      With the pleasantries out of the way, they took a tour of RAAF aircraft on the base, including an F/A-18 Super Hornet. RAF veteran pilot William took the controls (on the ground) before consigning himself to the co-pilot's seat, so that Kate had a chance to see what it is like in the cockpit. RAAF officers were on hand to assist the couple and to explain the technical features of this and other aircraft. William then took part in an exercise simulator of the same aircraft, and (wearing his glasses) appeared in his element.

      The tour continued on to the Amberley Memorial Garden, where the Duke and Duchess planted a tree to commemorate their visit the base and to honor the service and sacrifice of members of the RAAF. William and Catherine also attended a private reception with air force officers, other serving personnel, families, and veterans in their officer's Mess Hall. Among those present were veterans from the recent wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as families who lost loved ones during those conflcits.
      While on a short walkabout following the tree planting, the Duke reached out to receive a gift from a child, but was rebuffed when the child said: "No! It's for Catherine." 

     The Duke and Duchess spent more time with the military veterans and families than expected, and they were behind schedule for a civic reception at the Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre at Southbank, which was being hosted by the Governor and Premier of Queensland and attended by 200 lucky residents of the state.
      Outside, there were an estimated 10,000 people waiting to catch a glimpse of the couple, who arrived at the Center about 15-20 minutes late. There, they were given a formal welcome to Queensland, which is Australia's second-largest and third-most populated state, and was founded as a British colony and named for Queen Victoria in 1859 before achieving statehood within the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901.

      As the reception went on for about an hour, temperatures soared as high as 84.2ºF (29ºC), causing some people who had been waiting for hours to faint and be treated for heatstroke. Nonetheless, it was a beautiful day which bade well for Queensland's reputation as the "Sunshine State", and there was a jazz band on site to keep the crowd entertained. Within the masses was an 87-year-old who has seen three generations of the Royal Family, and hoped to give William and Kate a bow.

      When the Duke and Duchess did step outside for the walkabout, they were greeted with a raucous cheer from the crowds.
      However, not everybody was there to cheer on the Royal couple. There were Aboriginal and republican protesters advocating land policy changes and the abolition of the monarchy altogether.

     But they were heavily drowned out by the roars of enthusiasm from massive crowd as they poured out their heartfelt affection for the future King and Queen of Australia. The couple shook hands with the people lined up against the barricades, and accepted flowers, as well as gifts - many of them for Prince George - including a stuffed kangaroo and koala.
      After this, the day of official engagements was over, and pair headed south to unwind at the Sydney Football Stadium (a.k.a. Allianz Stadium), where they watched the a rugby match between the New South Wales Waratahs and the South Africa Bulls, which was won by the hometown team 19-12.

     Tomorrow (or today for some already) for Easter Sunday, the Duke and Duchess will begin the day at Sydney's St. Andrew’s Cathedral for morning church service in Sydney. While there, they will sign the ‘First Fleet Bible’, which was used in the first Christian service held in Australia in 1788.

     Following this, they will visit Taronga Zoo and view the Bilby Enclosure, which will be named after Prince George, who may be making an appearance along with his parents.


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