The plane carrying the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George has arrived in Sydney for the start of their 10-day Australian visit.
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They flew in from Wellington after charming New Zealanders on the first part of their tour.
Kate, who was carrying eight-month-old George, and Prince William stepped out the RAAF jet on schedule just after 2.35pm.
The Duchess was wearing a form-fitting, slimline bright yellow dress.Prince George, in a white romper suit, ‘‘shook’’ the hand of Governor-General Peter Cosgrove’s wife, Lynne.
Kate later handed George over to Prince William to accept a posy of Australian native.
Also on hand to meet the royal family were NSW Governor Marie Bashir and her husband Nicholas Shehadie and Prime Minister Tony Abbott and his wife Margie.
NSW Premier Barry O’Farrell and his wife Rosemary withdrew from the official party following the premier’s decision to stand down earlier on Wednesday.
The informal welcome was over fairly quickly. So far Sydney is putting on a sunny, slightly windy day, which is in stark contrast to their 10 days in New Zealand, where it rained most of the time.
The duke and duchess will now head to the Opera House for a civic reception to be hosted by Governor Bashir, while George is taken to Admiralty House.
A large crowd is ready to meet Kate and William as they undertake their first official function of the 10-day Australian visit.
It’s expected about 400 guests will attend the reception inside the Opera House, including former Australian cricket fast bowler Glenn McGrath and Australian Women’s Cricket team member Ellyse Perry, along with children dressed to represent all nations competing in the 2015 Cricket World Cup.
The royals are expected to mingle with members of the public before being taken by police boat to Admiralty House where they will be hosted by Sir Peter and Lady Cosgrove.
Shortly after 3pm, the couple arrived at the Opera House to be greeted by Professor Bashir and Don Harwin, president of the Legislative Council of NSW, and thousands of wellwishers lining the forecourt.
The couple waved to the crowd, but did not go into the crowd.Prof Bashir pointed out some of the famous sites of Sydney Harbour as photographers took shots with the Harbour Bridge in the background, before moving inside to the reception.
AAP
