When's the Royal wedding...wait and see, says William

PRINCE William accepted gifts for Kate Middleton and teased well-wishers about their marriage plans when he arrived in Australia today.

Prince William hinted at a Royal Wedding to Kate Prince William hinted at a Royal Wedding to Kate

On the first day of a three-day semi-official trip to the country, Prince William, the second in line to the throne championed Aboriginal rights after visiting Sydney’s tough inner-city district of Redfern, scene of race riots six years ago.

He was given a T-shirt and a dress for Kate Middleton, 28, and faced questions about their marriage plans from several fans during a royal walkabout among a 1,000-strong crowd who hailed him as the caring, living embodiment of Princess Diana. 

“When are you getting married?” one Aborigine woman asked. “I keep saying it: wait and see,” the 27-year-old future King replied, fuelling speculation there is something in the offing fairly soon.

Prince William showed his mother s touch when visiting sick children on his tour Prince William showed his mother's touch when visiting sick children on his tour

Aborigine community leaders, who welcomed him with a traditional smoking ceremony, wafting smoke from burning eucalyptus leaves over him in a cleansing rite, said he had “his mother’s heart” and pleaded for help to win better living conditions.

They also asked him to help find the skull of one of their ancient warriors, Pemulwuy, who was shot and decapitated in 1802 by the British, who sent his severed head back to a museum in England and then lost it. 

Michael Mundine, a tribal elder said: “I raised it with him. All he could do really was listen as we explained about the situation. I just hope that when he is the King he will help bring the remains back to Australia. I know he has a good heart. He will do it if he can.”

Aides said the Prince was deliberately drawing attention to the issue by inviting the Aborigines to raise it with them. They also said he would give Australia’s governor general a copy of a 1937 petition for better living conditions that was supposed to have been handed to King George VI but was lost by the Australian authorities.

Earlier, William admired stunning views of Sydney Harbour and the Opera House from Governor General Quentin Bryce’s residence, where he met a select group of young Australians for lunch.

They included cricketer Michael Clarke and sultry singer Delta Goodrem, the former Neighbours actress, who said: “William is very welcome. I am very happy to be meeting him. I’m a very patriotic Australian and I’m really excited to talk to him more about my country.” 

William, who spent a night out with friends in Sydney, had flown into the country after a three-day official visit to New Zealand.

On his last morning in Wellington he visited the city’s children’s hospital, where he hugged and kissed children and spoke movingly about his mother.

He calmed one toddler throwing a tantrum, retrieved a dummy for a seriously ill baby, bent down to kiss one little girl with her arms outstretched and asked if he could hug one lad because he was so handsome.

Asked if he had learned his skills with children from Princess Diana, he replied: “I wouldn’t say I was anywhere near her level. She had a fantastic affinity with kids and with everyone.

“I just go and meet people and just enjoy their company. I like meeting people – so it helps.”

William said it was important to use his high profile as a royal to bring awareness to issues such as the grave illnesses facing some children and to raise a smile from them..

“It’s important for humanity that everyone realises that, you know, we all get along, everyone’s the same, and, like I say, I really enjoy it,” he added.

“I get a buzz out of it and seeing kids’ smiles means a lot to me.”

READ RICHARD PALMER'S ROYAL BLOG

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