Baby Prince George makes Down Under debut

He may still be in nappies but on his first overseas tour, Britain’s Prince George has proved a natural at royal duties, meeting and greeting babies his own age Down Under.

Parents picked to reflect the diversity of New Zealand society mingled in Wellington with Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

Maori and same sex parents were among those invited.

But the star of the show was the eight-month-old prince, who happily crawled on the floor and played with the toys on offer, alongside other tots on the play date.

Third-in-line to the British throne, he is one day due to become head of state in New Zealand and in Australia, unless republicans get their way.

The young royals are riding a wave of popularity that is expected to dampen republican movements in the two former British colonies.

Prince George will be the centre of attention throughout a three week tour in which he will also make his Australian debut.