Kate Middleton and Prince William Lay Wreath at War Memorial in Latest Stop on Whirlwind New Zealand Tour

Duchess of Cambridge wears a smart blue coat by Alexander McQueen to the commemorative event

By Natalie Finn Apr 10, 2014 12:38 AMTags
Prince William, Duchess Catherine, Kate MiddletonREUTERS/Phil Noble

A day after attending the most adorable meet-and-greet there ever was, Prince William and Kate Middleton had to switch gears for the next official stop on their whirlwind tour of New Zealand.

On Thursday, local time, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visited the War Memorial and Clock Tower in Seymour Square in the town of Blehnheim to attend a service and lay a wreath in honor of the country's fallen.

Kate wore a smart blue Alexander McQueen coat for the occasion and both she and her husband sported commemorative poppy pins. William also wore his own service medals from his time in the Royal Air Force.

The wreath placed at the site contained notes written by Kate and Will marking the 100th-anniversary year of the end of World War I.

Two students from the nearby Marlborough Girls College sang "God Defend New Zealand" and later helped collect gifts from the crowd that were intended for Kate, who received a number of flowers and homemade cards.

Both she and Will talked to a number of the locals, with some of the younger attendees especially fawning over their glamorous visitors.

Phil Noble-Pool/Getty Images

Prince George stayed behind this time, presumably still recovering from yesterday's playdate at Government House in Wellington with 10 other babies (who will one day realize how momentous the occasion was) from families selected to represent  the "spread of all communities in New Zealand, including Maoris, Samoans, people of Chines descent and gay couples," according to Plunket Play Group president Tristine Clarke.

Getty Images

And one particular baby seemed to catch the 8-month-old royal's attention in particular, little Eden Alve.

"They spent around 15 minutes together," Eden's mum, Ingrid Alve, told E! News afterward. "They had a nice little bonding moment together, they were babbling at each other, as babies do."

George and his parents spent their first two nights in New Zealand unwinding at the Wharekauhau Lodge and will now be staying at Government House, the official residence of the governor-general and his wife.