Prince William and Kate Middleton attended a lavish state reception at Government house, Wellington on Thursday evening, where a portrait of the Queen was unveiled.
The Duke of Cambridge made a speech to the warm crowd, even offering a few words in New Zealand’s native language Maori.
© Photo: Getty Images"New Zealand is very special to me personally," said William, adding how "beautiful" the landscape of the country is and how "affectionate" towards the Queen the people are.
His wife the Duchess of Cambridge looked on, dressed in an elegant black dress by one of her favourite designers, Jenny Packham.
© Photo: Getty ImagesA lady of details, the just-below-the-knee-length gown featured silver beading in the shape of a fern to represent New Zealand's national emblem.
Once William had concluded his speech, the portrait of the Queen was unveiled, showing the monarch in a royal blue dress with her trademark pearl necklace and a silver fern brooch.
© Photo: Getty ImagesThe portrait was painted by New Zealand artist Nick Cuthell - who also painted the cast members of The Hobbit - and will remain on permanent public display in the New Zealand Portrait Gallery.
The reception was the royal couple's third engagement of the day on the royal tour.
Prince George, who made his first ever appearance at a public engagement on Wednesday at a special playgroup attended by other babies born within weeks of his own birthday on 22 July, stayed at home while his parents attended their first joint acts of the tour.
