Prince George to join William and Kate on first overseas tour

Baby Prince George will join his parents, William and Kate, on his first official overseas tour next month.
The third in line to Britain's throne will travel with the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge around New Zealand from April 7 to 16, and then Australia from April 16 to 25.
The little prince is expected to visit a parents and toddlers' group in Wellington on April 9 for the first of the many royal duties ahead of him during the three-week tour, Kensington Palace said as it released the royal couple's itinerary.
"Taking a nine-month-old baby on a royal tour is not a first, but there has been much to think about, as any parent taking a child on a trip abroad will realise," a Kensington Palace spokesperson said.

The entourage of 11 people will include a nanny and a hairdresser, who will travel to Australia on a scheduled flight arriving on April 7.
Queen Elizabeth II has given special permission for Prince William and Prince George to travel on the same aircraft, as royal protocol usually dictates that direct heirs to the throne travel separately.

The trip echoes Prince Charles and Princess Diana's visit to Australia and New Zealand in 1983 when the couple took their first born William, also aged nine months like George will be next month.
The decision by the royal couple is being described as a reflection of their desire to spend time with their son.

Huge crowds are expected to turn out to greet the family, who will spend 10 days in each country, where highlights will include visits to Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch and Sydney.
The family's packed schedule comprises 25 engagements in New Zealand and 23 in Australia, though they will have three days of down time to spend relaxing with Prince George.
The visit to New Zealand, where the Duke and Duchess will be given a traditional Maori welcome, called a Powhiri, will include the couple taking part in a yacht race in Auckland harbour, a 50mph white water ride down the Shotover River in Queenstown.

In Australia the couple will attend a reception at Sydney Opera House, visit fire-damaged areas of the Blue Mountains and, on Easter Sunday, visit Taronga Zoo in Sydney, where an enclosure for bilby marsupials will be named after Prince George.