The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrapped up a hectic day of Royal duties in Blenheim yesterday, ahead of a dinner thrown in their honour last night.
At a state reception thrown in their honour by the Governor General Sir Jerry Mateparae, Prince William unveiled a portrait of the Queen and also gave his first speech of the tour.
Earlier yesterday, Blenheim's own 'barmy army' of William and Kate fans whooped, cheered and frantically flag waved during the couple's first public outing in front of thousands.
The wreath laying ceremony at the war memorial marking 100 years since the start of the First World War was the couple's first official ceremonial duty of their 10-day tour.
The first hardcore fans arrived at 4.45am to stake out a prime front row view of the famous couple.
The Seymour Square Gardens surrounding the memorial became a sea of red, white and blue bodies jostling for position.
The crowd only had a short wait before the couple arrived fashionably late at 11.15pm.
Looking her elegant self in blue frock coat the duchess smiled at the fans.
Prince William wore a navy suit with his service medals adorned to his lapel.
After laying a symbolic wreath of roses and carnations at the clock tower and observing a minute's silence, Marlborough Girls' College students Olivia Burns and Alice Schofield belted out the national anthem.
The couple spent 15 minutes talking to 20 veterans from Marlborough Returned Services' Association.
The smiling senior citizens laughed and joked with the duchess.
The Duke and Duchess the walked through the crowds gathered at Seymour Square, chatting and accepting gifts and flowers.
Royal-watchers held their smart phones aloft to catch that all important snapshot. Vicky King son's Alton King, 9 months, from Blenheim drew laughs when he sneezed on the duchess.
''He will go down in history for sneezing in front of the duchess,'' Vicky King said.
'Start her up'
The Royal couple then made their way to the Omaka Aviation Heritage Centre where they met with dignitaries and Sir Peter Jackson for a guided tour.
Kate let her husband go ahead with the director while she walked with centre chief executive Jane Orphan.
Sir Peter, wearing a double-breasted jacket and tan trousers, strolled around his prize exhibits with a hand in his pocket, reeling off historical facts and insight.
Prince William, a pilot, was full of questions, becoming animated with the WWI and WWII planes hanging from the ceiling.
They were also shown the remarkable life-like exhibition of the infamous Red Baron's last flight when he was shot down over British lines and killed in 1918 - after a record 80 planes had been brought down.
The couple were then taken outside where several of the antique planes were lined up in mild drizzle.
The flying Prince then sat in the cockpit of a Sopwith Pup biplane.
"It's perfect. Start her up," he said.
Sir Peter gave the Royal couple a WW1 replica aviation flask. They were also given a child's flying helmet lined with possum fur.
Source: ONE News
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