Adelaide gripped by royal fever as Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit Elizabeth
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge tried their hand at DJing and graffiti, and charmed thousands of royal watchers, during a whirlwind tour of Elizabeth.
IT was months in the planning but Adelaide basked in the international spotlight as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge toured Elizabeth today.
Catherine was dressed in a pink Alexander McQueen outfit as she arrived with Prince William — but without baby Prince George — at RAAF Edinburgh base at 10.40am.
They were met by an official party including Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce, his wife Liz, Acting Premier John Rau and Air Commodore Noel Derwort.
They chatted on the tarmac before they left in a convoy at 10.55am for the Northern Sound System.
The royal couple toured the award-winning youth facility, hearing performances and watching a scooter, skateboard and bike demonstration at the skate park.
Prince William seemed to be having a great time as he tried his hand at graffiti and DJing.
The Duchess had rhythm, the Duke of Cambridge not so much.
Invited to try their skills scratching a beat at the youth centre, Kate proved a natural. When
GALLERY: Royals charm Elizabeth
Prince William followed, scratching a track called Gourmet by local producer Delta, he did well, but was not in his wife’s class.
“She was fantastic,” said Shane Petersen, a workshop facilitator in the hip hop class the couple visited. “But he can fly a helicopter so it’s horses for courses.”
The prince was put on the spot by Marcus Reilly, who from his wheelchair asked Prince William about his taste in music.
“I like house music, I still like a bit of rock and roll and the classics and a bit of R&B,” William told him.
After a private session with youths who talked to the royals about their disadvantaged backgrounds, the couple watched an exhibition of breakdancing, singing and an indigenous dance project before moving outside, where Prince William added a blue sky to an aerosol art display then watched a BMX and scooter display.
While daredevil riders did somersaults in the skate bowl, the Duke and Duchess were given a present for Prince George, his first skateboard decorated with boxing kangaroos and emblazoned with George in cursive script.
The skateboard’s designer, Casey, 16, from Mark Oliphant College, said she took four days to map out the design and the couple were thrilled to receive it.
Committee member Luke Haldenby, 15, said the prince was a bit reluctant to test his scooter skills. “He said he would probably stack it,” Luke said.
The Duke and Duchess went on to greet lucky royal watchers along Playford Boulevard.
The royal motorcade pulled up about 250 metres from their next stop, the civic centre.
Making their way along the road on foot, William and Kate happily chatted to excited fans, some of whom had been waiting to catch a glimpse of the pair since the early hours of this morning.
Behind the bollards, locals and visitors were enthusiastically clapping, cheering and waving Australian flags, given out by volunteers earlier in the day.
William took to the western side of the road to chat to fans and accept bouquets of flowers while Kate chose to greet visitors on the eastern side.
At one point, the crowd started chanting “We want Kate” to entice Her Royal Highness to greet them.
The Duke and Duchess unveiled a plaque in honour of their son, Prince George, in the forecourt of the civic centre.
Prince George Plaza will form part of a multimillion-dollar development in the centre of Elizabeth.
After a few minutes with Playford Council staff, they walked inside the centre where youths from across the state were waiting to meet the royals.
The civic reception, hosted by the Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and Mr Rau, was attended by 200 people aged under 25 from 18 organisations including the Country Fire Service, Volunteering SA and Carers SA.
Guests dined on canapes prepared by Government House chefs that “showcased the very best of South Australian produce”, including Spencer Gulf Prawns, Barossa pork and herbs from the Governor’s garden, although no alcohol was served.
Rear Admiral Scarce last night said he shared everyone’s excitement at the visit.
“The reception will be a terrific opportunity for young leaders in our community to be recognised for their contribution,” he added.
The royal couple were said to be intensely looking forward to their northern suburbs trip after being “intimately involved’’ with all aspects of its planning and program development.
Royal aides said the visit would be a “real highlight” of their three-week trip to Australia and New Zealand.
While they were here for just two hours, images of Adelaide were beamed all over the world.
“I do know that the Duke and Duchess have been looking forward immensely to their visit to Australia and New Zealand,’’ a senior royal source told The Advertiser.
“They have been intimately involved with the planning and detail of the program and are of course looking forward to their time in Adelaide.
“The Duke has a very special relationship with both countries and has no doubt that the Duchess will fall in love with New Zealand and Australia in the same way that he has.’’
The council yesterday completed an overhaul to the area, which has included installing new lawns, upgrading local infrastructure and painting landmarks and roads.
“I think it is marvellous they are actually recognising part of … Adelaide that has had some difficult times,” Mr Rau said.
Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said it was a chance for the Duke, 31, and Duchess, 32, to meet “real people” and “change perceptions” for Elizabeth.
A small but dedicated contingent of royal watchers turned out before sunrise to stake out the best vantage points to see the Duke and Duchess in Elizabeth.
Salisbury couple Maurice and Linda McCartney were the first on the scene at the Playford Civic Centre, arriving at 3.45am in front of the entrance.
“A friend of mine drove past at seven o’clock last night and said people are already sitting out the front,” Maurice said.
Dressed in red, white and blue, the couple hoped their strategic positioning would give them the best chance to meet William and Kate.
“It would be the best thing since sliced bread,” Linda said.
Elizabeth Vale residents Monique Boothby, Ethan Fischer and his mum Renee Fischer were not far behind the McCartneys.
Ethan already knows exactly what he will say to the Duke if he gets the chance.
“What’s up, how you going homedog,” he said.
“And then I’d get a selfie.”
Meanwhile, Laura Carter, of Old Reynella, arrived around 6am — but she was one of the lucky guests to be invited to the royal reception.
She said she hoped to get up close to the royals during the event.
“I’ll probably just ask about George,” she said.
Her mother, Jayne Carter, has lofty ambitions for her daughter.
“She’s going to ask if Harry will go to her formal in December,” she said.
The royal couple viewed a photography exhibition including a giant portrait of Queen Elizabeth.
The portrait is based on a picture taken when the Monarch, 88, unveiled a fountain at Windsor Green in the Elizabeth city centre, with designer Geoffrey Shedley, and J.P Cartledge, Chairman of the South Australian Housing Trust in 1963.
“We wanted to show the Duke and Duchess there is still a strong connection with Her Majesty,” said Playford Council Library Heritage Coordinator, Daina Pocius.
The patient crowd waited in anticipation for the Duke and Duchess’ exit from the reception and at 1.38pm, the moment came.
William and Kate walked out of the civic centre and went straight over to meet 100-year-old Monica Swarborick, who was waiting in the forecourt.
The Duke kneeled on the pavers to chat with the Barossa resident.
Several minutes later the couple moved towards their waiting car.
They waved a final goodbye to the crowd before getting into the car and heading to the RAAF base.
From there, they flew to Canberra to be reunited with their son George.