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Prince George heads Down Under for his first royal tour 

Prince George and his famous chubby cheeks made their latest public appearance Monday, after he and his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, touched down in New Zealand to begin a three-week tour there and of Australia.A windy welcome greeted the royal family during a trip that raised memories of a 1983 visit that Prince William made to the region with his parents when he was the same age a
 Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), who carries baby Prince George (C), arri...
Britain's Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (R) and his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (L), who carries baby Prince George (C), arrive at Wellington Military Terminal, in Wellington, New Zealand, 07 April 2014. The family will be in New Zealand from 07 April to 16 April and then in Australia until 25 April 2014. EPA/STR AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUTSTR / EPA

Prince George and his famous chubby cheeks made their latest public appearance Monday, after he and his parents, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, touched down in New Zealand to begin a three-week tour there and of Australia.

Britain's Prince William (C) and his wife Catherine (L), carrying baby Prince George arrive, at the international airport in Wellington on April 7, 20...
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, carrying their son, Prince George, arrive Monday at the international airport in Wellington.MARK TANTRUM / Today

A windy welcome greeted the royal family during a trip that raised memories of a 1983 visit that Prince William made to the region with his parents when he was the same age as his son.

The nearly nine-month-old Prince George behaved beautifully despite his 30-hour flight from London, reports NBC News' Sara James. The little prince, who is third in line to the British throne, playfully waved his fists as he was carried off the plane by his mom, who wore a red pillbox hat and Catherine Walker coat. The baby later stayed with his nanny while his parents met with government officials. Both Prince William and Duchess Kate received a traditional Maori welcome, including a “hongi” nose rub.

Britain's Prince William, left, receives a hongi, a traditional Maori welcome,  from Maori Elder Lewis Moeau, at the official welcome ceremony for Wil...
Prince William receives a hongi, a traditional Maori welcome, from Maori Elder Lewis Moeau.Ross Setford / Today
Britain's Prince William (2nd L) watches as his wife Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, receives a Maori welcome known as a 'Hongi' at a traditional Mao...
Duchess Kate gets one, too!HANDOUT / Today

They also met with Maori warriors, including one whose cheeks got nearly as much attention as the baby prince, while talking with dancers who performed a traditional haka. 

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Britain's Prince William (C) and his wife Catherine (L) meet a Maori warrior during a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Wellington o...
The royal couple meet with a Maori warrior during a welcoming ceremony at Government House in Wellington.MARTY MELVILLE / Today

The couple will visit a dozen cities during their New Zealand and Australia tour, which will include a visit to Christchurch to pay respects to the victims of the 2011 earthquake there.

The widely-anticipated appearance of Prince George is only the first public showing since his baptism last October. Last week, his parents released a new family photograph ahead of their trip Down Under.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 07:  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge arrive at Wellington Military Terminal on an RNZAF...
Duchess Kate and her son, Prince George of Cambridge, at Wellington Military Terminal.Chris Jackson / Today
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - APRIL 07:  Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George of Cambridge arrive at Wellington Military Terminal on an RNZAF...
Duchess Kate shares a moment with her adorable little prince.Chris Jackson / Today
Duchess Kate's royal style

Slideshow  172 photos

Duchess Kate's royal style

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, wears everything from fancy hats to casual tank tops. See how Prince William's wife can easily go from a high society affair to shopping on the streets of London.

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