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The royal tour has come to an end.
Prince William , Kate Middleton and Prince George capped off their 19-day visit Friday. Before leaving, however, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge made a surprise 5 a.m. appearance at a ceremony commemorating ANZAC (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) Day, a special day of remembrance.
"Very early on the Palace advised us that it was likely that the Duke would attend the Dawn Service and we were advised a few days ago that the couple would both attend," the memorial's director, Dr. Brendan Nelson, told local press. "I thanked them both very much for attending and I said to them this means a lot to us, it means a lot to our country and it means a lot to our veterans. Suffice to say they were very, very committed to be here and found the service very meaningful."
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Later that day, the royal couple visited the Australian War Memorial in the nation's capital. While there, they planted a Lone Pine tree in the memorial garden to honor the Australian and New Zealand soldiers who fought in Gallipoli 99 years ago. They also laid a wreath, which featured a handwritten note from William: "Never forget those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom."
The Cambridges then joined Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove, Prime Minister Tony Abbott and the leader of the opposition Bill Shorten to check out the Tomb of the Unknown Australian Soldier.
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Middleton's bouquet, which featured rosemary and Kangaroo Paw flowers, contained a handwritten note that read: "In every second of every day, you will be remembered for your courage and your bravery. Thank you for your sacrifice and for what you have done for us. For that, I am truly grateful."
The Duchess, 32, modeled a navy and white tweed Emilia Wickstead coatdress, which she paired with a Jonathan Howard hat, a Russell and Bromley clutch, a Cartier watch and an Asprey charm pendant.
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Not long after, the royal family boarded a plane at Fairbairne Airbase in Canberra, Australia. Before taking flight, however, the Duke and Duchess waved goodbye to their admirers as their 9-month-old son—looking cute as a button in a red cardigan and striped shorts—made funny faces at the crowd.
"The tour of New Zealand and Australia has been an incredible experience for both The Duke and Duchess and the couple really have enjoyed it immensely," a Kensington Palace spokesperson tells E! News in a statement. "We always said this would be an opportunity for the Duke to introduce both countries to the Duchess and Prince George and the couple have been bowled over by the extraordinarily warm welcome shown to them as a family by people everywhere they went."
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via E! Online (US) - Top Stories
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