Cockpit Kate: The Duchess of Cambridge sits in an F-18 fighter as she and Prince William take a tour of air force base in Queensland

• The Duchess of Cambridge was seen leaving Sydney in a blue-and-white dress by luxury designer L.K. Bennett
• Royal Couple have now landed in Brisbane, where they will spend the day
• The pair are touring No 1 Squadron at the base - which is the first Super Hornet squadron outside the US
• Tens of thousands of people are expected to line up to see Kate and Wills on their public walk down Russell St
• The couple left their son, Prince George, at Admiralty House with his nanny

By Rebecca English Royal Correspondent In Brisbane and Nathan Klein

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge today climbed inside the cockpit of a Super Hornet fighter jet as they visited RAAF base Amberley, near Brisbane.
The couple were presented with a framed photograph of a jet in flight before posing for a photograph with 1 Squadron.
William climbed into the front pilot's position in the aircraft before switching to the back seat, which is used to control the jet's weapons systems.

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

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

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

The Duchess then saw her chance and stepped elegantly into the front seat despite wearing four-inch heels and a tight-fitting knee length white LK Bennett dress with blue flowers.
The pair sat for a while asking questions before moving on to a simulator where they took an imaginary flight over Queensland and the Gold Coast in a simulated super hornet flight.

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• The white touch: Duchess of Cambridge picks dress by Australian designer Zimmerman which has also been worn by Naomi Watts
• Kate's long love affair with LK Bennett: Duchess wears bold blue and white dress by high street store for visit to Brisbane

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.

Summery dress: The Duchess of Cambridge arrives at the Royal Australian Airforce Base at Amberley, Brisbane (left) and leaves Sydney with husband Wills (right)

Welcome Wills: The Duke of Cambridge inspects an honour Guard as he arrives at the Royal Australian Airforce Base at Amberley, Brisbane

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

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.

F/A-18F Super Hornets fly past as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge visit RAAF base Amberley during the thirteenth day of their official tour to New Zealand and Australia

Prince William, foreground second right, and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, foreground second left, are flanked by Chief of Air Force Air Marshall Geoff Brown, right, and Commanding Officer of Number 1 Squadron, Wing Commander Stephen Chappell as they have their photo taken with members of 1 Squadron

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.

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

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

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.

Clucky: The Duchess of Cambridge meets baby twins Oscar and Alyssa McCabe during their visit of RAAF base Amberley

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.'

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

Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, receives flowers from children during a visit to the Amberley RAAF base, west of Brisbane

The royal couple chatted to onlookers before they were then taken to meet bereaved service family members at a special reception.

Later they'll head to Brisbane for a civic reception to be hosted by Premier Campbell Newman and Governor Penelope Wensley

The tree planting is of special significance as in April 1927, four crew from No 1 Squadron died when two aircraft collided midair during a fly past in honour of the Duke of York, later King George VI.

Lastly there will be a reception for serving sir force personnel, veterans and their families including the window and children of Lance Corporal Milosevic, who was killed by an Afghan soldier who opened fire on the Australian administrative area in Uruzgan Province.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met four families of servicemen who lost their lives in conflict.

THE FALLEN FOUR SERVICEMEN

Flight Lieutenant Paul Pardoel - an RAAF-trained C-130 navigator on contract to the RAF, died when his aircraft was shot down north of Baghdad, Iraq, in January 2005
Trooper David Pearce - killed in an improvised explosive device (IED) blast in Oruzgan province in October 2007
Private Matthew Lambert - died of wounds as a result of an IED strike in Oruzgan province in August 2011
Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic - one of three Australians killed by a rogue Afghan army soldier in Oruzgan province in August, 2012.

They met the family of Lance Corporal Stjepan "Rick" Milosevic, Trooper David Pearce, Private Matthew Lambert, who were all killed in Afghanistan, and Flight Lt Paul Pardoel, who died in Iraq.

They spent about 10 minutes privately chatting to the families, with the media kept at a distance, before moving into a reception with veterans and their families during their visit to the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley, west of Brisbane, today.

For some relatives, it's the first time they've returned since the bodies of their loved ones were flown home for burial.

Air Commodore Tim Innes, Senior Air Force Officer at Amberley, earlier this morning said the meeting would mean much to families still struggling with an enormous sense of loss.

'That's an extremely important point about the visit,' he told reporters at the base on Saturday before the Cambridges' arrival.

'That is a big part of why they are visiting the base - to honour those fallen and those who made a sacrifice in Afghanistan and other conflicts around the globe.'

The pair met quietly with the families outside an official veterans' reception on the base.

Wiliam and Kate spoke to two families each, spending about five minutes with each group.

The families of Lance Corporal Stjepan 'Rick' Milosevic, Trooper David Pearce, Private Matthew Lambert and Flight Lt Paul Pardoel were selected to symbolise all families who have lost loved ones through military service.

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

Earlier today, Air Commodore Tim Innes, Senior Air Force Officer at Amberley, said the meeting would mean much to families still struggling with an enormous sense of loss.

Afterwards, the pair moved into a reception in the Officers' Mess with RAAF Base Amberley personnel, veterans and their families.

William and Kate separately made their way down two red carpets, chatting to families along the way.

The duchess complimented the fashion of her young fans, signalling her approval for Tahlia McCabe's Minnie Mouse dress, and Jade McMullan's pink feathered hair piece - which she picked out herself.

William singled out two-week-old baby Kora Riordan, commenting on her full head of hair.

'He joked about Prince George not having hair and that he had taken after his own genes,' Kora's dad Corporal Leon Riodan said.

Jillian McCabe offered her six-month-old daughter Alyssa up for a play date with baby George, who stayed behind in Sydney today.

The baby girl grabbed Kate's hand and wouldn't let go, as the duchess laughed about her 'iron grip'.

Since arriving down under on Wednesday - Kate's official visit to Australia - the Duchess has outshone the Duke as the royal couple have undertaken their tour and made public appearances.

Locals are excitedly dubbing the state 'Katesland' for the day.

The Duke and Duchess meet well wishers in Brisbane following a reception hosted by the Governor and Premier of Queensland

Royal blue: The Duchess of Cambridge chose a blue clutch to match her summery L.K. Bennett dress

En-route to Brisbane: Wills and Kate leave Sydney for a day out in Brisbane this morning

At the official royal reception, to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Entertainment Centre the Duke and Duchess were treated to a feast made from top Queensland produce.

Delicacies have been sourced from across the state, from avocado sourced from north Queensland to goat cheese from Mount Tamborine in the south.

Prawns, lamb and barramundi are on the canape menu as well as mango and pineapple for desserts.

Their Royal Highnesses will also be presented with a gift of a ‘Tambo Teddie’ — a handcrafted teddie bear dressed as a stockman from the outback town of Tambo — to give to the baby Prince George.

They always come with great pomp and ceremony but Queenslanders are struck by just how down to earth the Duke and Duchess are.

From drought-stricken farmers, to sporting greats and the state's top politicians, all have been humbled by rubbing shoulders with Their Royal Highnesses.

Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley and Premier Campbell Newman dashed back to Brisbane from Amberley to welcome the royal couple for the second time in a day.

Grazier Barry Hughes says Prince William was genuinely interested in the plight of the state's farmers.

'He wanted to know about the weather, he was so open and focused on what I was saying,' Mr Hughes said.

Mr Hughes reminded the duke that his grandmother's horse Carlton House was racing in Sydney.

'Is that today?' the surprised Duke asked, smiling as he checked his watch.

'He was very pleased the Queen's horse was racing here in Australia,' Mr Hughes added.

The youngest person to sail around the world solo, Jessica Watson, was humbled by the duchess.

'You feel like you know them, and they treat you like you do,' she said.

'The duchess is apparently quite a good sailor, I'm glad even she's able to get out on the water, everyone should.'

Kate is mobbed by fans in Brisbane following a reception hosted by the Governor and Premier of Queensland. They will be returning to Sydney, where Prince George is, this evening

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, (L) greets people as she walks down Russell St in Southbank in Brisbane

Starstruck sporting heroes Johnathan Thurston and Jharal Yow Yeh nodded seriously as they briefly chatted with the duke.

But as Prince William moved to the next people, the beaming rugby league stars high-fived each other and fist-pumped like school boys.

Mr Newman said he was honoured to have the royals in Queensland, but said he wished they had brought big beautiful bouncing baby George with them.

'He clearly needs a rest and there's no better place to have a rest than Sydney,' the premier joked.

'If however, you want excitement in the state of opportunity, a dynamic, wonderful place, the place to be is Queensland and we would welcome him in the future.'

More than 200 charity, community political, legal and business figures attended the special gala event.

After the lunch William and Kate undertook a walkabout in the centre of Brisbane.
More than 10,000 people had waited in sweltering 29C temperatures for up to six hours for a glimpse of the couple.
The Duke and Duchess walked up and down the flag waving, screaming crowd for some ten minutes, collecting armfuls of gifts and flowers.
Among them were dozens of cuddly kangaroos and koalas for Prince George, as well as books, CDS and chocolates.

Gifts: The Duchess of Cambridge was showered with gifts and flowers on her walkabout in Sydney

Meet and greet: Kate is introduced to senior figures from the Australian air force

Solemn: Kate also met with the families of servicemen who died on duty - including the relatives of David Pearce

Meeting: The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with officers and their families in the mess hall at the air base

One little girl, ten month old Grace Farrelly, was wearing a top with the words 'Marry Me George!' emblazoned on in pink glitter. It had been made that morning by her mother, Kirsty.
Back when the Duchess was in school, she was one of the stars of the Marlborough school netball team - and today has revealed why she chose netball over hockey – which her sister Pippa excelled in.
'The Duchess said she played goal shooter and preferred netball to hockey because she didn’t have to wear a mouth guard,’ Laura Geitz, captain of the Queensland netball team The Firebirds, revealed.
‘It was wonderful to meet the Duchess, she was absolutely lovely, so warm.’
Yesterday, shoppers crashed the website of Australian designer Zimmerman after the Duchess of Cambridge chose the label for the third day of the couple's 10-day tour

Kate made the most of the Sydney sunshine in a white lace sundress as she and William attended the Royal Easter Show at Olympic Park and Manly Beach on Friday - without baby George.
She paired the knee-length 'Roamer' day dress, which retails at £274 (AUD $495) and has been previously worn by Australian actress Naomi Watts, with a pair of beige corked wedge heels and as usual, carried a small matching clutch in her hands.

THE ROYAL MENU FOR TODAY'S RECEPTION IN BRISBANE

Moololaba king prawns, far north Queensland avocado, mango salsa on spinach wrap

Warwick lamb loin, crisp brioche toast, beetroot and Stanthorpe apple jelly

Roasted eggplant, basil pesto, Mount Tamborine goats cheese, zucchini on herbed foccacia,

Lockyer Valley cucumber sandwiches with baby mustard cress

Gluten free Queensland blue pumpkin pie, sesame seeds, pumpkin seed praline

Mooloolaba spanner crab cakes, chilli lime mayo

Pithivier of Rathdowney chicken confit, pear and chestnuts

Red Angus fillet of Darby Beef, mini Yorkshire pudding, horseradish cream

Crumbed far north Queensland barramundi, garlic aioli

Lockyer Valley mushrooms, pink salt, white truffle oil, pastry tart

Pineapple and macadamia nut crunch, rum and ginger jelly

Mini tropical Queensland fruit tarts Coffee and tea