Royal lookalikes cashing in on lucky genes

The unofficial royal look-a-likes on Sunrise. Courtesy: Channel Seven/Sunrise

Good timing: Royal lookalikes Simon Watkinson and Gabriella Douglas are in town. Source: News Corp Australia

THEY'RE the famous royal lookalikes making the big bucks, all thanks to their uncanny resemblance to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

In a perfectly timed visit, the couple's doppelgangers, Gabriella Douglas and Simon Watkinson, are in Australia this week, the very same week that the real deal is in town.

ROYAL DIARY: Kate and Wills hit Adelaide

The pair have been flown in to launch Peter Alexander's new Mother's Day campaign and were mobbed by shoppers at an in-store Myer appearance in Sydney's CBD today.

Douglas, who impersonates Kate as a part-time occupation, says she fell into the job after the royal wedding in 2011 after being constantly stopped on the street and compared to Middleton.

"A lot of my family had always said I looked like Kate when I was younger ... eventually my mum was like 'you should be earning a bit of extra pocket money', so she sent my photos to an agency and they asked me to do an amazing shoot for Grazia in the UK, which turned out to be an eight-page spread and a cover", the 26-year-old brunette tells news.com.au.

"It's just good fun really, I pick and choose the jobs that I really like and the ones I get to travel with."

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Source: AFP

Gabriella Douglas, Kate's doppelganger. Source: News Corp Australia

Douglas has been working with Prince William lookalike, Simon Watkinson, for the past three years and said together, the pair manage to fool the public everywhere they go.

"Some people were fooled, some people were curtseying. One lady was crying when she thought she saw William," Douglas said of her Sydney appearance today.

"Everyone wants a photograph. A lot of the tourists are fooled, they ask: 'How's your granny?'"

Gabriella Douglas and Simon Watkinson front a campaign for Peter Alexander. Source: Supplied

Growing up in Windsor, Douglas attributes her similar accent to the fact that both she and Kate are from Berkshire and says she had a lot of exposure to the royals as a young girl but never saw herself imitating the daughter-in-law of the Queen.

"I actually met Prince William when I was younger, I had piano lessons at Eton College [where William went to school], and he held the door open for me one day."

Douglas, who also works for UK online marketplace notonthehighstreet.com, even has her own Kate Lookalike website and an Instagram account dedicated to her appearances.

Watkinson, who also has his own website, actually grew up in Adelaide but is now based in the UK and is currently the No.1 Duke of Cambridge impersonator in Europe.

"It's happened to be a good little side job for me," he said during an interview on Seven's Sunrise, adding that he has intently studied William's mannerisms and quirks over the years.

Asked whether Kate and Wills had seen what the pair were up to, Watkinson replied: "I've been told that they've seen the stuff that we do. I think they've got a pretty good sense of humour."

Can you spot the difference? Source: News Corp Australia

Wills, is that you? Source: News Corp Australia

Fans can catch the "royals" at Myer in Melbourne on Saturday, and in Peter Alexander stores in Perth on Sunday and Adelaide on Monday.

We're not so sure about "Prince George" but "Wills and Kate" could be the real thing. Source: News Corp Australia

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The Real Housewives scandals you won’t see on TV

Gina Liano with her partner of eight years, Dean Giannarelli. Source: News Limited

The season finale of The Real Housewives of Melbourne screens this Sunday night, and as the show heats up, so too do the real-life goings-on of the women involved.

In fact, it seems that most of the Housewives drama is happening off-screen at the moment. Here's a wrap-up of the craziest Real Housewives scandals of the past few days:

1) THAT anonymous blog post

Online reaction to the show in recent weeks has been almost unanimous in its support for barrister Gina Liano, who has appeared, on camera, to show remarkable restraint in the face of verbal attacks by Andrea, Lydia, and friend of 20 years Janet.

On Sunday, an anonymous blog appeared online that presented an alternative view of the show's public favourite.

Letter2Gina is a prolonged, badly-written attack on Liano written by someone who claims to have worked on the show. Among the cheap digs — Gina wears too much perfume, she smokes on set (yawn) — were intimations that Gina's positive portrayal on the show is perhaps due to her litigious, controlling nature.

Fact or fiction? Either way, the blog gained traction when fellow Housewife Lydia retweeted it — causing many to question whether she was in fact behind the anonymous post. Oh warw.

Lydia retweeted a link to the offending blog post. Source: Twitter

Foxtel have denied the blog post came from anybody in their camp, posting a statement on the RHOM Facebook page that reads in part:

Some of you may have seen an anonymous blog that appeared on social media recently. This blog has nothing to do with Arena, Foxtel or the production company, Matchbox Pictures and while social media discussion about the series is welcome, we encourage everyone to be respectful when making any comments about the housewives.

2) Gina's man unmasked

Yes, he of the 'geographically impossible' relationship — Gina's partner of eight years, who Jackie 'psychically predicted' had cheated on her in the first episode. After a temporary break, the pair have reconciled. The mystery man is Florida-based Australian property developer Dean Giannarelli, and while the pair were spotted at last month's Melbourne Grand Prix, Liano told TV Week she had no plans to settle down.

'I don't think marriage is what either of us needs," she said.

Dean Giannarelli and Gina Liano at last month's Grand Prix. Picture By Julie Kiriacoudis Source: News Corp Australia

3) Will Gina quit the show?

She's hinted as much in an interview with TV Week. "I think it would be difficult for me to put myself in that position again," Gina told them.

"When I went into it the first time, I had no idea I would be targeted and it would be such a hate campaign."

It seems unlikely she would leave the show, though, given her status as the audience favourite. Just look at the current result of this poll over on fansite iRealHousewives, with more than 3,000 people voting for their favourite Melbourne Housewife:

Results of the 'favourite Housewife' poll. Look, Andrea and Lydia could charge up to the front at any moment. Source: Supplied

4) Has the bullying gone too far?

As the slanging matches on the show have escalated in recent weeks, Mama Mia's resident recapper even quit her post in dramatic style, declaring that the show "is awful and I don't want to write about it anymore." (Fear not, dear reader, we'll continue to bring you our weekly recaps. We're going to see this thing out to the bitter end, together).

In particular, Housewives Lydia and Andrea seem to have been caught by surprise at the public backlash against them, and two weeks ago forced producers to edit out some of their harsher comments about Gina at the last minute.

Housewives Lydia (l) and Andrea have faced a barrage of online criticism from fans of the show. Picture Simon Cross Source: News Corp Australia

We can reveal that review DVDs of the show, which usually arrive at news.com.au more than a week in advance, have still not been sent out for Sunday's finale. Foxtel say the episode, filmed months ago, is still being edited. The preview at the tail-end of last week's episode teased an epic showdown between Gina and Andrea that ended with Gina calling her nemesis a 'f**king moron'. Will that scene even make the cut come Sunday?

5) Just what will be revealed on the reunion show?

As public criticism has grown louder, several of the ladies have taken to Twitter to promise that 'all will be revealed' on the Alex Perry-hosted reunion show, already filmed and screening in two parts from May 4. Will we finally learn the details of that legal email Gina forwarded to the other ladies? Will Andrea and Lydia explain to viewers exactly why they've attacked Gina so much in recent weeks? And will Jackie ever stop saying 'Shine shine shine'?

The Real Housewives of Melbourne will feature six new housewives who enjoy the lavish, pampered and cultured lifestyle who own private jets, amazing homes and are married to high profile businessmen, including one to a rock star and another to a plastic surgeon

The Housewives of Melbourne drinking game

Housewives episode 9: Gina finally bites back

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What Kate really, really wants

What has caught Kate Middleton's attention? Source: Supplied

FORGET the designer dresses, this is what the Duchess of Cambridge really digs on her Aussie visit.

Turns out Kate can't resist the lure of a loom band.

What, you might ask?

Loom bands are brightly coloured plastic bracelets that are made out of numerous tiny, rubber bands. But they have become so popular across Aussie primary schools, some principals have been forced to ban the accessories out of fear of schoolyard fighting.

MORE: LOOM BAND CRAZE STRETCHING STORES' SUPPLY

MORE: PRINCESS AND HER EASTER BUBBY

The bands work on a wearing, trading or selling basis, and have teachers concerned for the welfare of their students over dodgy swaps.

The must-have toy at schools right now. Weaving is back, people. Source: Supplied

Prince William was spotted sporting one on his wrist earlier this month and now it looks like Kate Middleton wants one to call her own too.

During the Royal couple's tour of the Easter Show on Good Friday, the Duchess spotted Esther and Ella Nelson holding out their homemade loom bands made specifically for the Duchess ... and she made a bee line for the ultimate 'it' accessories.

Loom bands: the ultimate accessory. Source: Supplied

"Is that the jingling of a loom band I hear?" Source: Supplied

"Hey, William, I have one to match yours now!" Source: Supplied

"That's pretty special for them, they made a lot of effort," said mum Rachael Nelson, who made a special visit to the Show with her girls, aged 8 and 7.

"(Catherine) was so lovely, she apologised for keeping us all waiting and was very grateful for the bands. She was so polite and well spoken, thanked the girls for the bracelets."

According to Mrs Nelson the Duchess initially walked passed the girls, but backtracked after spotting the bands.

"She stopped because she saw the girls with the bracelets over the fence and walked back to grab them. Realistically they are just pieces of plastic but she made them feel very special.

"She was more stunning in person, she made my children feel so special, just in her way, she was so grateful for the loom bands."

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Choice between burning car and lions

A family was forced to flee their burning car as it overheated in the Longleat Safari Park within the Lion enclosure. Courtesy: SWNS TV

A MOTHER and her two children were faced with a terrifying dilemma when their car caught fire in the lion enclosure at a safari park.

Helen Clements and her two children were visiting Britain's Longleat Safari Park when their vehicle overheated and smoke began rising from the car.

"It was getting thicker and thicker and obviously coming into us, and then we saw flames," Ms Clements told the BBC.

The frightened mum blasted her horn and both she and her son opened their doors, before rangers came running towards them.

Ablaze ... the family's car goes up in flames in the Longleat Safari Park's lion enclosure.

Twice as dangerous ... rangers told the terrified family to stay in their burning car in order to avoid the roaming lions. Source: Supplied

Scared that the family were at risk of being attacked by the lions roaming around the park in Wiltshire, the rangers told them to stay inside their vehicle.

"Unfortunately they were shouting to us: 'Get back in the car, do not get out of the car'," Ms Clements said.

"It was a situation of - what do you do? Do you get out of the car because you're on fire? And they're telling you to get back in the car, so that was the dilemma."

Her son got out of the car and ran but Ms Clements called the child back, the BBC said.

Within minutes, a ranger pulled up in a vehicle and she and the children jumped inside before being driven to safety.

Despite their terrifying ordeal, the family, can see the funny side.

"It could have been in the flamingoes or the camels but no, it had to be in the lion enclosure," Ms Clements said.

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Fired over MH370 charity email

Malaysia's transport minister says the effort to find missing flight MH370 is at a 'very critical juncture'.

A Chinese relative of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 grieves. Source: AFP

FOX has fired a veteran executive who used her company email account to plan aid for loved ones of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines plane.

Darlene Tipton says she emailed a woman whose boyfriend was aboard the plane to propose a fundraising effort.

Her idea was to bring swift financial help to families and other loved ones, sparing them lengthy court fights.

Fox spokesman Scott Grogin says Tipton's "conduct and communications" violated company policy. He's confirmed Tipton has left the company.

Tipton says she hopes to continue her drive, soliciting contributions through a fundraising website.

Chinese relatives of passengers on the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 pray by candles. Source: AFP

A longtime Fox employee, she most recently was vice president of standards and practices for the Fox Cable Networks Group.

The April 9 firing was initially reported by Christine Negroni in her Flying Lessons blog.

The search for the wreckage of flight MH370 continues in the southern Indian Ocean, more than six weeks after it disappeared on May 8 carrying 239 people.

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Two children found dead, man arrested

Police outside the Watsonia home where two children were found dead. Picture: Sarah Matray Source: News Limited

Police and homicide detectives investigate the death of two children in Watsonia. Picture: Sarah Matray Source: News Limited

POLICE have confirmed that two children were killed in Watsonia this afternoon.

Paramedics rushed to the Longmuir Road property shortly before 3pm and despite their best efforts the two children died at the scene.

A man was arrested at the house and taken into custody he is being questioned by homicide detectives.

It is not yet clear how the pair were killed but police say the man knew the children.

Advanced life support paramedics tried to revive the pair but they died at the scene.

Crime scene tape has been erected around the house and homicide detectives are on scene.

Police have not been able to confirm details about the circumstances surrounding the deaths.

The identity of the victims is not known, nor whether they are male or female.

More to come ...

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Fevola blasts Blues’ trades

Former Carlton forward Brendan Fevola has blasted the club's recruiting and questioned the decision to trade for Chris Judd.

Former Blues star Brendan Fevola says club might have won a premiership with Josh Kennedy. Picture: Getty Source: Getty Images

FORMER Carlton ace Brendan Fevola has taken aim at his old club, criticising the decision to recruit Dale Thomas.

Writing a column for Albury-Wodonga's The Border Mail, Fevola said Carlton's decision to part company with "fan favourite" Eddie Betts had cost the club on and off the field.

He also wrote that the Blues "might have won a flag" if West Coast Eagles full-forward Josh Kennedy was still at the club.

"Carlton wouldn't pay him (Betts) the money he wanted, so he went to Adelaide where he could get it," Fevola said.

Carlton midfielder Chris Judd says he is every chance of making his return from an Achilles injury against the Bulldogs on Sunday.

"If the Blues didn't have the money, then fair enough, let him go.

"But they went out and spent $700,000-a-year for four years on Dale Thomas.

"He may take the occasional specky and get his 15 touches but so what?

"He won't win you a game off his own boot."

DO YOU AGREE WITH FEV? HAVE YOUR SAY BELOW

Fevola suggests Carlton lost in the deal that brought Brownlow medallist and former captain Chris Judd to Visy Park.

The Blues parted with key Kennedy to snare the silky midfielder set to make his return from an Achilles complaint on Sunday.

Under-fire Blues coach Mick Malthouse has been grilled on Channel Nine's Footy Classified; the Carlton coach stoically defended his coaching style but was less enthusiastic about the playing group at his disposal.

"Juddy has been an absolute superstar but, looking back on it, who won that deal ... it's tough," Fevola said.

"Josh Kennedy is now a superstar of the competition at West Coast and right now probably more valuable than Juddy is.

"Who knows? The Blues might have won a flag if he was still there."

Fevola was sacked by Carlton after his drunken antics at the 2009 Brownlow gala, the final chapter in a series of off-field incidents.

Brisbane recruited the star full forward on a big-money deal only to let him go 17 games later following further off-field breaches.

Fevola said Carlton's winless start to its 150th anniversary was "embarrassing", while outgoing president Stephen Kernahan, probably the club's greatest player, was meant to be six-month appointment when Richard Pratt was sick.

"There were high hopes when Mick Malthouse came to the club and beat Richmond in the finals ... but now there's nothing for the fans to cheer about," Fevola said.

"Losing to Melbourne last Saturday might just be the darkest day Carlton has had in a decade."

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Brissie crowd goes wild for royals

Kate gets another gift for Prince George. Pic Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

A GROUP of protesters has failed to ruin the royal couple's Brisbane visit with thousands of people giving the couple an enthusiastic welcome.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge flew in to the Royal Australian Air Force base at Amberley, west of Brisbane, about 11am, where an honour guard greeted them and there was a flyover of fighter jets.

The princess wore a "snorkel blue" Lasa Poppy Print Dress by one of her favourite designers L.K. Bennett. The dress retails for £245 ($440 AUD), and yes, it has now sold out.

Kate's choice of dress was a nod to the importance of the poppy, as a symbol of remembrance in the military community.

Catherine's dress is a nod to the importance of the poppy, as a symbol of remembrance for the military community. Photo: Chris Jackson/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

General David Hurley, Prince William, Princess Kate and Mrs Linda Hurley visit the RAAF Base Amberley. Pic Mark Cranitch. Source: News Corp Australia

Amberley Air Base is Australia's biggest operational military base and Defence Force chief David Hurley, and his wife Linda, greeted the couple on the tarmac.

A military band played God Save the Queen and the Australian national anthem.

The couple was also welcomed by Queensland Governor Penelope Wensley, Premier Campbell Newman and Defence Minister David Johnston.

Prince William inspected the members of the No1 Squadron. Source: News Corp Australia

The pair toured Squadron 1, which is the first Super Hornet squadron outside the United States.

Prince William spent seven and a half years in the RAF before retiring to take up official duties and happily stepped into the flight seat of one of the fighter aircraft.

The prince 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.

Yes, it's hard to look ladylike climbing into the cockpit of a Super Hornet but Kate pulls it off. Photo: Anthony Devlin/PA Source: Supplied

Prince William and his wife then planted a tree in the memorial garden before meeting with four families who lost members during the military operation in Afghanistan.

The base's memorial garden honours the service and sacrifice of members of the Royal Australian Air Force and the tree planted was a Queensland native - the Plunkett mallee tree - and is the official floral emblem of Ipswich.

More: Kate in Aussie fashion faux-pas

Duchess loves her wedges

An Airforce band plays as Prince Will Kate touch down at the Amberley RAAF Base in Queensland.

Wing Commander Paul Rickert, who is deputy honour guard commander, said some of the family members the royals met had not been back to Amberley since the ramp ceremony, the memorial service held for fallen soldiers at the airport.

"It's quite significant for those family members ... to have that closure and have this visit back to Amberley as a positive experience," he told ABC radio.

Widow Nicole Pearce said she was very honoured to meet the couple and that Kate was "absolutely beautiful, very easy to talk to".

"She asked how long David had been in the military for and how long he'd been overseas when he was killed," Ms Pearce told Nine News.

"She was sincerely quite sad for us to think David was only over there for two weeks when he was killed.

"She seemed very very genuine and she was very sweet."

Ms Pearce described it as a "bitter sweet" occasion.

"I'd rather have Dave here, and the reason we're here is because he's not.

"But I think he would be really proud, really honoured to think we had an opportunity like this. "It's not every day you get to meet royalty."

Prince William and Kate bow their heads in prayer after planting a tree. Photo by Dan Peled - Pool/Getty Images. Source: Getty Images

Afterwards the couple attended a civic reception in Brisbane and took a brief public walk.

About 10,000 people went wild for the couple at Brisbane's parkland precinct, cheering and chanting "Kate, Kate, Kate".

The adoring crowd, up to 20 people deep in some places, showered the couple with flowers and with gifts for Prince George.

Kate got a lot of love from the crowd at South Bank. Picture: Darren England Source: News Corp Australia

Cheers and shrieks followed the couple as they made their way along the route, under a clear blue sky and in 28C heat. The royals took their time the greeting thousands of well wishers.

The Duchess needed an army of helpers to pass on the gifts handed over security barricades - everything from modest posies of carnations, to stuffed kangaroos, chocolate bunnies, and a soccer ball bearing a map of Australia.

A very enthusiastic reception for William and Kate at South Bank. Picture: Annette Dew Source: News Corp Australia

It was a much more enthusiastic reception than a group of about 30 protesters hoped to give the couple just an hour before.

The Aboriginal land rights activists protested outside the Brisbane Convention Centre ahead of the couple's arrival. They held up signs, one of them read "give back what you stole", they called the royals dole bludgers and chanted "thieves".

About 50 police officers moved on the group of about 30 protesters, pushing them out of sight, ahead of the royal arrival.

One activist was ushered away after going behind barricades but police said no arrests had been made.

Security was tight around South Bank ahead of the couple's arrival, with snipers spotted on nearby roofs.

Snipers on the roof watching the 10,000 people in South Bank waiting for the arrival of Prince William and wife Kate. Photo: Supplied. Source: Supplied

The couple will return to Sydney tonight. Tomorrow they will attend a Easter Sunday church service and will visit Taronga Zoo.

Yesterday the couple spent the day at the Sydney Royal Easter Show and in Manly, visiting sick children at Bear Cottage before watching a lifesaving demonstration.

Radiant in a white lace dress by Australian designer Zimmermann, Catherine notably did not remove her Stuart Weitzman wedge heels for a stroll on Manly Beach.

She's a princess, of course she kept her heels on. Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images Source: Getty Images

Her previous day's outfit, a patterned dress by Diane von Furstenberg sold out within hours, but the Zimmermann's Roamer Day Dress will not be in stores until June

Catherine delivered her first speech in Australia after speaking with the young residents of Bear Cottage and said the haven for dying children was an inspiration.

"First-class delivery of children's palliative care is life-changing,'' she said, as the Prime Minister looked on with the new NSW Premier, Mike Baird.

Catherine's sure touch and gentle humour is the talk of the tour. While her husband spoke privately to the families, she spent time with the ill children, speaking quietly to them.

At the Royal Easter Show, the Duke and Duchess got a taste of regional Australia.

Checking out alpaca wool from the northern region, Catherine commented the fleece could make a good toupe for her husband.

A sellout, Catherine's Diane von Furstenberg dress was snapped up. Photo: AP Photo/Rob Griffith Source: AP

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Finally! Kate wears Aussie designer

AN excited crowd has greeted the The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge at Sydney's Royal Easter Show.

Duchess Kate preparing to board a helicopter with Prince William to visit the 2013 bushfire affected residents in the town of Winmalee in the Blue Mountains. Source: AFP

THE Duchess of Cambridge was so dazzling in a simple dress by Aussie label Zimermann today that we can probably overlook a minor wardrobe fail this afternoon.

What were you thinking, Duchess? Remove shoes from feet, then walk on the beach.

So awkward.

Someone get the lady a pair of pluggers, would you? Source: AFP

The well-heeled Duchess Kate and Prince William were at Manly Beach in Sydney this afternoon for a demonstration by the local surf club.

And there was a bit of a fuss on social media about the un-Australian choice of footwear.

@itsKShort @newscomauHQ @dailytelegraph Shame she didn't wear sandals with socks like the rest of her compatriots. #RoyalVisitAustralia— Brian Semmens (@TrueLifeOfBrian) April 18, 2014

Could this formal footwear be any more out-of-place? Source: Getty Images

That hair though. Flawless as always. Source: Getty Images

We can assume these youngsters were more polite than us and didn't say a word about the shoes. Source: Getty Images

Earlier, the Royals continued their royal Aussie tour with a visit to the Royal Easter Show in Sydney.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived at the showground in Homebush, and social media quickly went into overdrive at the sight of Kate's dress choice for the outing.

The stylish royal opted for a cream lace dress by Australian fashion label Zimmermann and teamed it with a pair of tan wedges and a simple clutch.

It is the first Aussie designer she has worn since arriving Down Under.

Kate Middleton arrives at the Sydney Easter Show wearing a dress by Aussie label Zimmermann. Source: INF

The Roamer Day Dress is from the upcoming Summer Swim 2014 range and retails for $495.

ROYAL WATCH: Kate wows in wattle-coloured frock

It was due to arrive in stores worldwide this June but the release date has been moved forward in response to overwhelming demand.

Within minutes the Zimmermann website was struggling as online buyers rushed to snap up the garment. No doubt Sydney sisters Nicole and Simone Zimmermann will be thrilled.

Actress Naomi Watts modelled the sleeved dress in Zimmermann's upcoming campaign.

Naomi Watts wearing the Zimmermann Roamer Day Dress. Source: Supplied

Kate Middleton arrives at the Royal Easter Show. Source: News Corp Australia

The royal pair took in the sheep shearing and wool handling, met the 2013 Wool4Skool program winner — who designed a dress for the Duchess of Cambridge — and signed the visitors book.

It's unclear whether they had time to sample a Dagwood Dog before departing.

Wills and Kate visit Fred, a super fine wool Merino from Wellington. Source: News Corp Australia

Kate meets a young fan on her visit to the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Source: News Corp Australia

Prince William and Kate watch a shearing demonstration at the Sydney Royal Easter Show. Source: Getty Images

This afternoon they traded the show bags and rides for a visit to Manly's Bear Cottage palliative care hospice, where they met young patients, families, volunteers and staff.

The Duchess sings with the children. Source: Getty Images

Speaking with a patient. Source: Getty Images

Prince William at Manly's Bear Cottage. Source: Getty Images

Sydneysiders were able to catch a glimpse of the royals when they visited Manly beach and watched Surf Lifesaving activities on the sand.

Prince George was left behind at Admiralty House with his nanny while his mum and dad tour around Sydney. Our next scheduled sighting of the royal bub won't be until his visits Taronga Zoo on Sunday.

The Duchess of Cambridge and Prince George arrive at Sydney Airport on April 16, 2014. Source: Getty Images

Over 200,000 excited fans arrived at the showground to catch a glimpse of the couple who spent the day yesterday talking with fire fighters and local residents of the Blue Mountains.

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The lawyers inside murder trial of the century

Oscar Pistorius has finished his gruelling five day testimony on the witness stand, reading a poem from a Valentines Day card his former girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp had prepared for him the day she was killed.

BOOM. Welcome to Nel town. Source: Getty Images

IT'S the legal equivalent of a bout between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier. Two talented, brutal attorneys at the peak of their powers, fighting each other for the heavyweight title before an audience of millions.

Prosecutor Gerrie Nel and defence lawyer Barry Roux are the men driving Oscar Pistorius's murder trial. They're two of the most feared lawyers in South Africa, having built successful careers in parallel over the past three decades.

MORE: Reeva's Valentine's Day card to Oscar

Nel has been prosecuting alleged criminals for more than 30 years. Roux has been defending them for 31. Both men have drawn upon that experience to eviscerate witnesses in the Pistorius case.

MORE: Pistorius accused of faking tears

So, how do South Africa's heavyweight lawyers stack up against each other? Are they really so evenly matched?

That's Nel on the left, and Roux on the right. Source: AP

GERRIE NEL

History

The biggest triumph of Nel's career was his successful prosecution of former police chief and Interpol president Jackie Selebi.

It was a confronting case for South Africans, who were forced to admit the man leading their nation's fight against crime was a criminal himself. Selebi was convicted of corruption (he overlooked drug trafficking in return for bribes), and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

The Selebi case was a trial in more ways than one for Nel. In January of 2008, 20 police officers stormed into the lawyer's home and arrested him, in front of his wife and children, for "fraud". The charge turned out to be nonsense. It was an intimidation tactic, meant to disrupt his investigation into Selebi.

Nel refused to back down. That sums up the man pretty well.

He also served as the head of an official crime-fighting agency whose operatives were called "The Scorpions". They investigated organised crime and corruption between 2001 and 2008.

Within three years of being founded, The Scorpions had prosecuted 380 cases with a conviction rate of 93 per cent, the Mirror reports. They even raided the home of South Africa's then-Deputy President Jacob Zuma.

You get the idea. Nel has been a determined, wildly successful prosecutor for years.

He cross-examines like a street-fighter. Source: Getty Images

Style

Within the legal community, Nel is known as "the pit bull". That's because he cross-examines witnesses with unrivalled aggression.

"He likes to rattle witnesses. To emotionally rattle them to see if he can get them to give him contradicting versions. That is his style," says South African defence attorney Ulrich Roux.

"He's definitely the best prosecutor in South Africa. He's proved that, and I think he will continue to prove that."

Nel's relentless and confrontational style was best demonstrated in the Selebi trial. He called the former Interpol president an "arrogant liar", and kept him on the stand for two weeks.

He's not scared of controversy either. A week ago, he shocked onlookers in court by displaying a graphic image of Reeva Steenkamp's fatal head wound and comparing it to a watermelon, with Oscar Pistorius on the stand.

It was a ruthless tactic, but according to Nel, it was absolutely necessary.

Raise your hand if you're a tough prosecutor. Source: Getty Images

Best moment so far

Nel's five-day cross-examination of Pistorius could end up being decisive. He forced the athlete to contradict his own testimony several times (Pistorius claimed those "mistakes" were due to tiredness), and more than once reduced him to an emotional wreck.

The most telling moment came when Nel pointed out Steenkamp's position behind the toilet door. She was standing up against the door, facing it, when Pistorius shot her. Nel used that evidence to suggest the pair were talking to each other before Pistorius pulled the trigger.

Best parody

Brad O'Regan, a producer for the South African radio station Highveld 94.7, put together this rap tribute to Nel.

"They call me Gerrie Nel, and I am mad as hell, and when I get you on the stand I will make you tell. I don't have no feelings, new lies I'm revealing, I get emotions in the court to hit the ceiling."

It's undeniably catchy.

BARRY ROUX

History

Roux does not focus solely on criminal law. His practice also deals with "insurance, delictual, aviation, matrimonial, medical negligence, general contractual and liquidation work". But he has still featured in some of South Africa's biggest criminal trials, with great success.

Roux represented Scottish businessman Dave King, who was facing a long stint in jail for avoiding a tax bill of 2.3 billion rand. After a marathon 13-year run through the courts, Roux managed to reduce his punishment to a fine of just 700 million rand. King avoided jail altogether.

Another of Roux's high profile tax evasion cases involved a mining magnate called Roger Kebble. The charges in that case were withdrawn altogether.

He never ran a group called The Scorpions, but Roux's career has been just as successful as Nel's. His rumoured salary of up to $A10,000 per day for defending Pistorius is proof enough of that.

Give 'em both barrels, Barry. Source: Getty Images

Style

Roux can be a patronising, exasperated presence in the courtroom. He picks away at witnesses, asking them the same questions repeatedly until they slip up. His style often switches in an instant, from charming and absent-minded to biting and sarcastic.

Daily Mirror writer Lucy Thornton has described Roux as a lawyer who "goes from bumbling poodle to snarling rottweiler in seconds, terrifying witnesses."

His tactics can be devastatingly effective. Roux lulls witnesses into a false sense of security before unleashing direct, piercing questions that prey upon their emotions and reduce them to a state of utter confusion.

Barry gives Oscar some firm legal advice. Source: Getty Images

Best moment so far

Roux's biggest courtroom masterclass actually came during Pistorius's bail hearing, just six days after Steenkamp's death. He completely destroyed the credibility of police detective Hilton Botha, an officer with 24 years of experience.

Botha started the day firmly in the prosecution's corner. By the time Roux was through with him, the detective had conceded that he found nothing at the scene which contradicted Pistorius's version of events.

"I don't have any facts," he admitted at one point.

Nel didn't dare call Botha to the stand during the actual trial. Roux had turned him into a liability, if not a running joke. How's that for a knockout punch?

Best parody

This one comes courtesy of Roger Goode, who hosts a radio show on 5FM. It's a parody of Pharrell's hit Happy. The chorus will be stuck in your head for days.

HEAD TO HEAD

Nel and Roux have clashed in a high profile murder case before. The defendants in that trial were two men called Casper Greeff and Christopher Njeje.

Greeff was accused of hiring Njeje to kill his wife, Estelle, in 1999. Njeje proceeded to cut her throat with a blunt knife.

Nel won the case. Both Greeff and Njeje were found guilty of murder with direct intent and sentenced to life in prison.

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