The royal arrival

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Wellington at the start of their tour of New Zealand and Australia.  The royal couple, along with Prince George, touched down in the city after almost 24 hours in the air.  And little George looked like, after all that time cooped up, he was ready for action.

Touchdown.  The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George on their arrival in New Zealand

The little prince had a good wriggle as mummy carried him down the steps of the aircraft that brought them to New Zealand.  And on his way there he'd had a good wriggle on the walk up the airport steps at Sydney as the family changed planes.  

The unmistakable look of parents who have managed a long flight with a young baby is written all over the faces of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge as Prince George attempts to make his own way across the tarmac at Wellington

The Duchess of Cambridge, in a red Catherine Walker coat, almost had another wardrobe malfunction as the cool, windy weather played havoc with the end of her dress and gave photographers a glimpse of very tanned and toned legs but the breeze was kind and dropped just when Kate needed it to, sparing her blushes.  The outfit was topped by a Gina Foster hat.

Duchess in red, prince in white and a duke in blue - the Cambridges have been working on their colour co-ordination ahead of their tour of New Zealand

And then after several glimpses of the king in waiting - he had been seen quite a lot at Sydney airport as well as they changed flight - George disappeared for a rest and mum and dad got down to work at a reception at the Governor's House in New Zealand.  

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at the Governor's House in Wellington for their official welcome to New Zealand as their nine days in the country gets under way

There was a traditional Maori welcome for the couple and both the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in a hongi or nose rubbing.

Pleased to meet you - the Duchess of Cambridge is given a traditional Maori welcome

And the very excited Governor General of New Zealand, Sir Jerry Mataparae, went social media crazy with a string of tweets and You Tube clips that gave everyone a sense of the couple's arrival.

One of the tweets from the Governor General of New Zealand as the Cambridges arrive in his country - he might just be ever so slightly excited

And then it was time for a rest for George's parents as well after a long flight and ahead of a long tour. The interest in their arrival only shows that this tour is going to be a global event as everyone goes Cambridge crazy.