William and Kate's visit to Adelaide

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TENS of thousands of people are expected to line northern suburb streets for the royal tour’s “significant” visit to Adelaide which came after lobbying from the South Australian government.

Officials anticipate crowds of up to 50,000 will flock to Elizabeth, an area chosen for its close ties with the Royal Family, to catch a glimpse of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The pair will be in Adelaide for two hours.

The Sunday Mail can reveal how behind the scenes lobbying from Australian diplomats for almost two years helped secure the coup visit from the couple in 10 days’ time.

Senior palace sources disclosed the visit to Elizabeth is viewed as “significant” as it “resonated” with the Royal Family, particularly the Queen.

The couple, this week met by huge crowds in New Zealand, will visit Adelaide on April 23 for just a few hours without Prince George.

The Australian tour leg begins on Wednesday in Sydney.

It is understood the whirlwind visit, expected to cost taxpayers up to $200,000, came after high level discussions where “the case for a visit” was made.

It was later signed off by Kensington Palace and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet after a visit last year by the couple’s Private Secretary Miguel Head.

Officials say the decision to tour Elizabeth was dictated by the history, travel logistics and an opportunity to create a “geographic spread” across Australia.

They will land at the RAAF base in Edinburgh late morning from Uluru, amid tight security and large crowds “in the tens of thousands”, particularly children on school holidays.

They will visit the Northern Sound System, a youth music studio, watch a skateboard demonstration before being guests of honour at a civic reception hosted by Governor Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce and Premier Jay Weatherill and 200 “young” people.

They will be reunited with Prince George that afternoon in Canberra.

“It is an excellent, fun engagement at Northern Sound System and an opportunity to engage with young people,” one senior royal source told the Sunday Mail.

“It also recognises the extraordinary work done by the NSS.”

Royal aides are also keen to highlight the family’s “connection” to the area, with the suburb named after the Queen, the Duke’s grandmother, who visited in 1963.

“It is important to visit several centres across the country. Elizabeth is clearly significant as it resonates with one of Her Majesty’s early visits,” said the source, who declined to be named.

Playford Mayor Glenn Docherty said it was a “very exciting” moment.

“I think it will help to change stereotypes of people in our community,” he said.

It is believed the couple’s interest may have been provoked during a dinner at one of Britain’s most influential clubs, organised by Agent General Bill Muirhead and attended by Mr Weatherill.

Senior government sources said the dinner ensured the state was “well and truly on their radar”.

Mr Weatherill sat next to the Duke, who gave the Thirty Club keynote address at the exclusive Claridge’s Hotel in Mayfair, central London, in May 2012.

The Duchess also attended the club, that comprises leading figures of business, the media and advertising, and made front page news with her attire.

Mr Weatherill then invited the pair to visit, with the Duke believed to have been keen to accept.

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The pair will be in Adelaide for two hours.

It is understood the whirlwind visit, expected to cost taxpayers up to $200,000, came after high level discussions where “the case for a visit” was made.

Officials say the decision to tour Elizabeth was dictated by the history, travel logistics and an opportunity to create a “geographic spread” across Australia.

This is a bit of an insult to Adelaide. The State Government spends $200,000 to lure the Royals to Adelaide, and the only thing organised is two hours in Elizabeth before flying back to Canberra. Why couldn't they allocate the entire day in Adelaide by visiting other important community facilities, Government House, SAHMRI etc

[SRW]

The pair will be in Adelaide for two hours.

It is understood the whirlwind visit, expected to cost taxpayers up to $200,000, came after high level discussions where “the case for a visit” was made.

Officials say the decision to tour Elizabeth was dictated by the history, travel logistics and an opportunity to create a “geographic spread” across Australia.

This is a bit of an insult to Adelaide. The State Government spends $200,000 to lure the Royals to Adelaide, and the only thing organised is two hours in Elizabeth before flying back to Canberra. Why couldn't they allocate the entire day in Adelaide by visiting other important community facilities, Government House, SAHMRI etc

I believe that's the cost to the Commonwealth (for the overall visit) not South Australia. The benefit remains arguable.