Prince William Says Goodbye To Anglesey, Wales

Today marked a bittersweet milestone in Prince William‘s military career. The Duke completed his first official engagement following the birth of his son in Anglesey, Wales, where he and the Duchess of Cambridge have lived the past three or so years.

“This island has been our first home together, and it will always be an immensely special place for us both,” William said at the 2013 Anglesey Show. “Catherine and I look forward to returning again and again over the coming years with our family.”

William announced that his operational tour with the RAF Search-and-Rescue force would come to an end next month, and today was William’s way of thanking Anglesey.

“I know that I speak for Catherine when I say that I have never in my life known somewhere as beautiful and as welcoming as Anglesey,” the Duke said.

“The views across the Menai Straits are undoubtedly among the most stunning in the British Isles. I know that both of us will miss it terribly when my Search and Rescue tour of duty comes to an end next month and we have to move elsewhere.”

Several well-wishers asked after Prince George, who was born on July 22nd at St. Mary’s Hospital in London. William was happy to oblige, joking about the baby’s huge set of lungs and the fact that, like most newborns, he’s not exactly getting eight hours of sleep a night.

“All we have got to do now is to get him to sleep through the night… Please,” William joked as he looked up at the sky, according to the Daily Mail.

William’s speech was not without a lighthearted reference to life as a new parent.

“I have to say that I thought Search and Rescue duties over Snowdonia were physically and mentally demanding, but looking after a three week-old baby is up there!” he told the crowds.

The Duke was gifted with several different items, ranging from baby clothes to toys. The Mail reported that one gentleman gave William a “Little Grey Fergie” 1954 tractor.

“George will love playing with this. And my brother will too!” William joked.

The Cambridges are expected to tour Australia in 2014, but Kensington Palace has told me that it’s “too early” to release information regarding next year’s diary.

For the full article by royal correspondent Kelly Lynch, click here.

Prince William And Kate Middleton Name Their Son

Today, Kensington Palace announced the name of His Royal Highness, the Prince of Cambridge.

George Alexander Louis is the child’s name.

The baby will be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge.

– Clarence House (@ClarenceHouse) July 24, 2013

Louis Mountbatten was Prince Philip’s uncle, and a strong presence in Prince Charles’ life until his passing in 1979. Alexandra is one of Queen Elizabeth’s middle names, so this is a nod to Her Majesty.

Yesterday, William told members of the press that he and Catherine were “still working” on a name, even though one reporter tried to ask the Duke if “George” was in the running.

The family left Kensington Palace, with mom in the backseat making sure Prince George was safe and sound.

“Kensington Palace will not be saying where the Cambridges are heading but they turned eastwards, not westwards towards Bucklebury,” royal reporter Richard Palmer tweeted. However, others are saying that mom, dad and baby are in fact at Bucklebury Manor.

Queen Elizabeth visited her great-grandson earlier this morning, as did Prince Harry. Last night, Pippa and James Middleton were at the couple’s temporary home to greet the boy.

King George VI was the baby’s great-great grandfather, and acceded to the throne when his brother, King Edward VIII abdicated in 1936.

Prince George’s First Official Photos To Be Released This Week

Prince George of Cambridge (b. July 22nd) has spent his first three weeks at Granny Middleton’s home in Bucklebury, a break in tradition for an heir to the British throne. Another break will soon follow this week when Kensington Palace reveals the baby’s first official photos.

Rather than hire a photographer, the Duchess of Cambridge has opted instead to select a few photos taken by herself, Carole and Pippa Middleton, according to the Daily Mirror.

“One of the options they are looking at is releasing a couple of family photos they have taken themselves,” a royal aide told the paper.

Rather than disrupt the baby’s routine, the Duchess prefers to use her expertise as a photography enthusiast to select George’s best moments as a newborn. Back in November, Clarence House posted photos taken personally by the Duchess in Malaysia, when she and the Duke toured South East Asia.

“Kate has a great eye for pictures and wants the first official ones of George to be natural and in a relaxed environment.”

Prince William’s official portraits were taken by Lord Snowden, Princess Margaret‘s ex-husband, and released on July 29th, 1982. Mario Testino shot the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge’s engagement portraits in December 2010.

Kensington Palace is expected to release the photos this week.

William was at a stag do (bachelor party) this weekend in Devon, England with friends, including Guy Pelly. A witness told the Sun that the new dad took a train from London Paddington to Exeter St. David’s on Friday.

“I walked through the carriage on the way to the buffet car and spotted William with a bunch of chaps swigging beer like it was going out of fashion,” the fellow passenger recalled.

Another passenger had no idea who was in the party.

“There was an older man next to me who had no idea William was sitting just yards away,” the witness said. “He nodded towards them and said, ‘There’s a right bunch of lads in there.'”

Prince George will meet his great-grandfather, Prince Philip, in the coming weeks. The Duke of Edinburgh will join Her Majesty at Balmoral today after an engagement in Scotland. The Cambridges are due to visit the 92-year-old royal, who has been recouperating at Sandringham following stomach surgery in May.