Warm Regards
Mohan Lal Kashyap
Published: 00:23 GMT, 19 April 2014 | Updated: 06:09 GMT, 19 April 2014
'Do you fancy jumping in the back?' These were Prince William's smooth words to Kate as the pair inspected the Super Hornets at Amberley Air Base shortly after touching down in Brisbane this morning.
But the Duchess wasn't keen on hopping in the back - instead she jumped into the cockpit after William had a turn.
The pair are touring No 1 Squadron at the base - which is the first Super Hornet squadron outside the US.
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In control: The Duchess of Cambridge sits in the cockpit of an F/A-18F Super Hornet during a visit to RAAF base Amberley in Brisbane
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What a thrill!The Duchess of Cambridge climbs into the cockpit of an F/A-18F Super Hornet on day four of their tour down under
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Cockpit Kate: The Duchess is given a crash course in fighter planes while sitting in the driver's seat of a F/A-18F Super Hornet at RAAF base Amberley, Brisbane
It's a plane William won't have flown himself in the UK - but he wasted no time stepping into the flight seat, while Kate watched on.
He then stepped into the back seat - where the weapons are controlled, allowing Kate to take the pilot's seat.
She spent some time in the cockpit, asking questions of her RAAF hosts.
Chief of Air Force Air Marshall Geoff Brown and Commanding Officer of Number 1 Squadron, Stephen Chappell talked the young royals through the jet's operation.
Air Marshall Brown revealed the pair were preferring Australia's weather to the conditions turned on by New Zealand - where it was cold and rained for most of the 10-day visit.
'They talked about the weather and that it was a lot better than when they were in New Zealand,' Air Marshall Brown said.
Commanding Officer Chappell said Kate was fascinated by the 'dials and gadgets' on the Super Hornet.
He remarked there was some 'biplay between the two as to who was sitting in what seat'.
The royals signed the official visitors book and posed for a photo with members of the number one squadron, before being taken to a Super Hornet flight simulator.
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Summery dress: The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Royal Australian Airforce Base at Amberley, Brisbane (left) and leaves Sydney with husband Wills (right)
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Welcome Wills: The Duke of Cambridge inspects an honour Guard as he arrives at the Royal Australian Airforce Base at Amberley, Brisbane
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Down Under: Kate and Wills are escorted through RAAF base Amberley in Brisbane by Australian Air Force personnel
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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Catherine arrive at Amberley Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base, in Brisbane, Australia, without baby Prince George
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Royal reception: Kate, Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince William are greeted as they arrive at the RAAF base in Amberley, Brisbane
Nine-month-old Prince George was absent, staying behind in Sydney with his nanny.
Their Royal Highnesses were greeted by Australian Defence Force chief David Hurley and wife Linda on the tarmac.
Kate turned to the high street for the day in a £245 ($440 AUD) Lasa Poppy Print dress by luxury British designer L.K. Bennett, with her hair half swept from her face.
She has hardly put a foot wrong in the fashion department during the whole tour - and today was no exception for the Duchess of Cambridge.
The stylish Queen-to-be was also spotted carrying a gorgeous clutch by Australian brand Oroton in the same royal blue of the flowers on the dress.
The couple flew in from their base in Sydney in an Air Force jet for the day leaving their son, Prince George, at Admiralty House with his nanny.
Her husband wore a black suit with a maroon and navy striped tie.
The RAAF band played verses from Advance Australia Fair and God Save the Queen as the duke inspected the waiting Royal Guard.
William is no stranger to the military having served more than seven years in the British army and air force.
Last September he finished a three-year tour of duty as a search and rescue helicopter pilot and has made sure to connect with service men and women during the Australian and New Zealand tour.
The prince chatted to Guard members during his inspection, pausing while four F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets flew over in formation to mark the event.
General Hurley and his wife shared banter with the duchess on the edge of the tarmac while the duke finished his inspection.
The royal couple then met Queensland's Governor Penelope Wensley, Premier Campbell Newman and his wife Lisa, Defence Minister David Johnston, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and other VIPs, who were standing on a red carpet on the edge of the tarmac.
They couple were then whisked out of the hot Queensland sun to inspect one of the Super Hornet jets and meet members of the RAAF's No 1 Squadron.
The visit was, said a royal aide, a chance to for the couple - particularly William - to foster and ongoing relationship with the armed forces in Australia.
William is due to inspect the the Guard and view some of the base's aircraft as well as meet with their crews.
There will also be a fly past conducted by pilots from No 6 Squadron in F/A Super Hornets, a multi-role fighter aircraft.
The hour long visit will also see them view Amberley's Memorial Garden, where the couple will plant a Plunkett Mallee, a type of eucalyptus tree, which is native to Queensland.
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Green thumbs: Prince William watches his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, plant a Plunkett Mallee tree at the Memorial Garden at RAAF Base Amberley, west of Brisbane, Australia
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Britain's Prince William plants a Plunkett Mallee tree, watched by his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, at the Memorial Garden at RAAF Base Amberley, west of Brisbane, Australia
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Prince William and his wife Kate bow their heads in prayer after planting a tree at the memorial garden during a visit to the Amberley RAAF base, west of Brisbane
As far as Australiana goes, it doesn't get more Aussie than a boomerang.
The Duchess of Cambridge was presented with the gift by three-and-a-half-year-old twins Ellijah and Tobee Dyer during the royal couple's tour of Amberley RAAF base on Saturday.
When William took it the boys shook their heads and said: "It's not for you, it's for the princess to give to George."
Laughing, William handed the gift to his wife saying: "They want you to have it, not me."
The pint-sized prince will have to wait to receive the toy as he didn't travel with his parents for the Queensland leg of their tour.
The twins' father, Leading Aircraftman Robert Dyer, told AAP the gift was intended for the near nine-month-old to play with when he's 'a bit older'.
'Nice and pretty,' was young Ellijah's verdict of Kate, who earlier had planted a native eucalyptus shrub - the Plunkett Mallee - with her husband Prince William at the base's memorial garden.
A plaque to mark the occasion read: 'This Tree of Remembrance was planted by Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge in honour of the service and sacrifice freely given by the Men and Women of the Royal Australian Air Force. 19 April 2014.'
The royal couple solemnly bowed their heads while a prayer was read out and four Super Hornet jets flew over in formation.
Dozens of Air Force personnel and families watched on while Kate was presented with a bouquet of native flowers by nine-year-old Ashleigh Kearnan, the daughter of Flight Lieutenant Charlie Kearnan.
After bending to take the flowers and chat with the youngster, the duchess introduced herself to proud parents Charlie and Kerri and the couple's two sons.
'She talked to Kerri about the two boys. I think that showed a real human touch,' Flight Lieutenant Kearnan told AAP.
Mrs Innes, wife of Air Commodore Innes who runs the base, said afterwards Kate was like 'a rock star'.
'She's so beautiful, I couldn't believe it.'
Her husband added: 'They said they loved coming to Queensland to see some sun.'
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Britain's Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, receives flowers from Ashleigh Kearnan, 9, during a visit to Queensland - the state the locals have affectionately dubbed 'Katesland' for the day
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Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, receives flowers from children during a visit to the Amberley RAAF base, west of Brisbane
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Marry Me George: Grace Farrelly, 10 month old, wears a shirt with a cheeky marriage proposal on it, aimed at Prince William and his wife Kate's baby George
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