Crowds turn out to greet William, Kate and George (2024)

Look over there! Taking the best vantage point of the harbour at the top of the Opera House stairs, Prince William pointed out the sights of the city to his wife

The late afternoon light catching her hair and a light breeze whipping at her dress, Kate turned on an enormous smile at the crowd below as she and the Duke waved and then descended the Opera House steps following the reception inside the building.

Earlier in the afternoon eight-month-old Prince George was the star of the show when the family touched down in Sydney.

Carried off an Air Force jet by his mother, a line-up of dignitaries, including the country's Prime Minister Tony Abbott, couldn't wait to coo over the third in line to the throne.

The family arrived for their long-awaited trip at 2.25pm, with the doors to their plane opening at 2.35pm sharp.

But while all eyes were on George, behind the scenes there was panic as a key figure in the delegation meeting the royal family at the airport, New South Wales Premier Barry O'Farrell, resigned in connection with a corruption hearing.

Mr O'Farrell and his wife, Rosemary, were due to take part in the official line-up meeting the Duke and duch*ess and their son, as well as co-host a reception at the Opera House.

But just five hours before he was expected to be at the airport Mr O'Farrell was forced to make a humiliating public statement resigning from office after being caught lying to an official enquiry over the gift of a £1,600 bottle of wine.

As a result of the furore, which may result in perjury charges, he was struck off the guest list.

Outside of the Sydney Opera House the royal couple greeted fans waving Australian flags

'My mother's deep affection for Australia – which you were so kind to reciprocate – needs no reminder.

'Australia is an inspiring place, as this amazing Opera House shows so vividly, and I know that a truly unforgettable few days lie ahead. Thank you.'

Inside, The Duke and duch*ess first watched a performance by the NSW Public Schools Aboriginal Dance Company.

Kate turned to her left to whisper something to William, who was wearing a blue suit and claret tie.

The couple then split up to work the Northern Foyer room overlooking the water towards Admiralty House so they could mingle with some of the 400 guests who'd been drawn from the areas of community, arts, sports (in particular Commonwealth Games), volunteering, health and education to meet them.

Kate stayed on one level and William worked the area above.

In the first group for Kate was the captain of the Sydney Roosters rugby league team Anthony Minichiello.

He's father to four-and-a-half month-old baby Azura and offered to set her up with baby George.

'The duch*ess said that they'd had a lot of marriage proposals already,' Mr Minichiello said.

Kate also met Natalie Anderson, a youth arts co-ordinator at Westmead Children's hospital, and they discussed the duch*ess's work for the charity the Art Room.

'We were talking about how worthwhile it is to use art to help well-being,' she said.

At the next group, Kate spent a few minutes chatting to Dr Claire Wakefield , 37, a psychologist who runs the research into children's cancer at the behavioural science unit of Sydney's Children Hospital.

'She was really interested in how we focus as much on the parents and families and not just the child with cancer. She said it's really important to think of the parents and brothers and sisters.'

Dr Wakefield was impressed with how Kate 'completely focused on me for the little bit of time she was with me. She's lovely and graceful.'

With Dr Wakefield was Ken Ganna, 39, a hospital program manager for the Starlight charity.

Kate, who has helped the charity in the UK, told him that 'it's a really important job you do.'

Mr Ganna added: 'She said that we had such a wonderful role in society and how crucial it is to have these programmes in society.'

William met Australian swimmer Alicia Coutts, 26, who is set to go to the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July. William told her he'd be there to watch. And he had some other advice for the swimmer.

'I said that I'd been told I should sample Irn-Bru. But he said that it's over-rated and that I should try deep-fried Mars Bars,' Ms Coutts said, referring to another Glasgow speciality.

With her was Camilla Love, 34, who works for the Art Gallery of NSW's foundation.

'He's like one of us - with a different accent - which is nice,' she said. 'He was approachable and sets everyone at ease - not scary at all.'

On the way out of the event the couple met former Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath and Ellyse Perry, who plays cricket and soccer for Australia.

Alongside them were 14 children representing the different countries competing in the upcoming Cricket World Cup.

Kate's private secretary Rebecca Deacon and George's nanny Maria Teresa Turrion Borrallo, who is clutching the kangaroo backpack the little Prince was given by a fan when they briefly touched down in Sydney earlier in the month

Wide awake: Prince George was alert and curious as he was held by his father as they made as the family prepared to leave New Zealand

She spoke at length with Chrisavye Magdas who is in a wheelchair and presented Kate with a special Greek Orthodox candle made from beeswax from a monastery - a gift for Prince George.

Kate was also drawn to Julia Macdonald, 34, and her son Leo, six months.

'I told her he was born the day Prince Harry was here. She commented that Leo has grown a lot since then. I said for her to "say hello to George from Leo."'

Jennifer Henry, 57, caught the duch*ess's eye as she waited outside Sydney Opera House because of the Welsh flag she was holding.

Mrs Henry explained she had married in South Wales.

'I told the duch*ess she was beautiful and she said thank you and then I said that she looked like a ray of sunshine in her dress ' she said.

Linda Wickens from Ulladulla showed the Duke and duch*ess a picture of her daughter Annabel, 12, taken with Prince Harry when he visited Sydney last year.