Royals

Prince George closes down Taronga Zoo

Prince George's first Australian tour appearance closed down Taronga Zoo in Sydney this morning.
Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince George

The adorable nine-month-old, who was dressed in dark blue shorts, a striped lighter blue shirt, dark blue socks and shoes – was carried into the zoo by his mother Catherine at 2:30pm.

Taronga Zoo tweeted at 1.30pm that the zoo had reached capacity with thousands of people cramming in to catch a glimpse of the cute occasion.

“Taronga Zoo is currently full and there will be no more admissions. Please check the website for updates. Thank you for your understanding,” the zoo tweeted.

Large crowds started building yesterday with keen royal watchers camping out at the zoo overnight. Others began lining up from 6am this morning, before the zoo reached capacity this afternoon.

The royal trio were at the zoo to meet the bilby named in Prince George’s honour at the zoo’s bilby enclosure, which was also named after the young Prince as part of Australia’s gift following his birth on July 22 last year.

Looking inquisitive, the little prince chuckled and looked around at the world’s waiting cameras.

After unveiling a plaque at the enclosure, the royals we gifted with a bilby soft toy and a ‘bilby on board’ sign for their car.

Catherine changed out of the dove-grey Alexander McQueen outfit which she wore earlier to the Easter church service this morning, wearing a cream broderie angalise dress by an independent designer.

The dress, which she has worn before duirng the South-East Asia Diamond Jubilee tour, had a fitted bodice and flared out to the knee. William was also dressed casually in a dark blue checked shirt and chinos.

Today’s event marks Prince George’s second official function.

During the New Zealand leg of the trip, he “hosted” a play group event with other babies his age at Government House.

The little Prince was then taken back to Admiralty House while his parents took in more of the sights at the Zoo including feeding kangaroos, taking in the giraffe enclosure, enjoying a bird show, and taking in the rhino conservation display.

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