After eight long years, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge will be returning to Australia with Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis in tow.
A source speaking to Woman’s Day revealed the royal family will be heading Down Under once again – this time for even longer than their debut 10-day trip in 2014.
“This time, they want to spend even more time in Australia and perhaps even factor in a private family holiday,” the source told the publication.
“It goes without saying that Kate and Wills would never leave the children back in London and Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis will be along for the ride.
“They’re currently thinking April or May, given the weather will be just about perfect in most of the country for lots of outdoor, COVID-safe meetings.”
The news comes after the Cambridges initially planned to tour the country in 2020 following the devastating January bushfires, with William particularly keen on visiting heroic firefights, bereaved family members and survivors in rural areas.
“William and Catherine instructed their team to make it happen, and it was looking like they’d get the green light from the Queen to come over in April of that year, but of course the pandemic hit and everything was taken off the table in terms of travel.”
Though the plan had been tabled, sources say the couple “have never forgotten that plan and they intend to make good on it”.
“They’ve already told the children, who are incredibly excited,” a source said.
“While George was too young to remember much, the toy wombat he received on that trip [given to him by the then-Australian Governor-General, Sir Peter Cosgrove] still sits pride of place in his nursery at Kensington Palace and he loves hearing stories about Australian wildlife from his dad.
“Kate is keen to make the trip very child-focused, in terms of the charities and causes she meets within Australia, but also fun for her own kids.”
According to Woman’s Day, it is understood that the couple have compiled a “dream list” of locations to visit with the help of trusted aides and the Attorney-General’s office.
The list includes everything from environmental issues and showcasing the country’s natural wonders to boost tourism to front workers, fire resources and indigenous communities.
“Everything is on the table currently, and since they saw all the main things like the Sydney Opera House and Uluru last time, they’re keen to get off the beaten track,” a source said.
“Kate is particularly interested in visiting the Indigenous outback communities hit hard by Covid, and she’s also been very gripped by the Cleo Smith missing child case, and would love to meet the heroic officers in WA who rescued her.
“William, of course, is desperate to meet with the firefighters keeping Australia’s bushland sage, and they both want to personally thank nurses in the country’s Covid hotspots, especially in Sydney and Melbourne.
One particular idea being considered is a visit to Australia Zoo so the kids can meet the wildlife, courtesy of William’s new friend Robert Irwin.
“Robert and William have been in contact over environmental issues in recent months, and he invited Wills and his family to visit the zoo any time they like,” a source said.
“William was chuffed by the invitation and said he’d be only too glad to make that happen when they next make a trip over, which he hinted was very imminent.
“It’s hard to know who’s more excited by the prospect of a day at the zoo meeting the kangaroos, koalas and crocodiles – the Cambridge kids, or William, who was a big fan of the late Steve Irwin.”
With locations from all over the country on their wishlist, the source said a tour “of this magnitude has never been done before”.
Though business will be a large part of their trip, the royal family are also hoping to enjoy some downtime and give the kids a proper holiday.
“William has always felt a longing to experience the NSW South Coast, where his mother spent an important summer secretly soul-searching over whether or not she’d accept Prince Charles’ proposal,” a source said.
“He’d love to get a place near Mollymook for a few days and walk the same beaches she always told him about. If they could swing it security-wise, he’d like to take the kids camping.
“Kate is also looking into secluded settings and is putting the feelers out for some of Australia’s most exclusive resorts like the One&Only in Wolgan Valley, Saffire Freycinet in Tasmania and every celebrity’s favourite, Qualia on Hamilton Island.”
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