Royals

Prince William and Kate Tour a Vineyard – and Ride a Speedboat

The royal couple squash any baby rumors after an action-packed water ride and a tour of a vineyard

Published on April 13, 2014 02:00 PM

An action-packed day appeared to put pregnancy rumors for the Duchess of Cambridge to bed as she skimmed over the surface of a fast-moving river and enjoyed a wine tasting afternoon in the New Zealand sunshine.

Kate, 32, had woken to speculation that she was about to add to their family following a comment made by her husband Prince William.

But a fabulous early autumn day, which saw the couple whiz along the Shotover River in Queenstown, and be spun through 360 degree turns while riding the speedboat, would seem to suggest another baby isn’t on the way quite yet.

“I think they are thrill-seekers,” driver Wayne Paton, who took the couple for their 20-minute ride, tells PEOPLE.

As the couple left the river, they met a group of children from Arrowtown, a school William had hoped to visit when he was in New Zealand nine years ago.

“Kate was talking to the children about Easter and what they were going to do for the holidays and whether they were going to have chocolate,” teacher Janey Winders told PEOPLE. The kids gave the royals a set of books for George by late local author Elmar Stephenson.

Winery Tour

The couple had come from another great tourist draw of the area – a presentation of the region’s wines.

There, Kate told vintners she was enjoying being able to drink again after giving birth.

John Darby, owner of Amisfield vineyard in Queenstown, showed the royal couple around the vineyard – where Kate slipped in her Russell and Bromley four-inch wedge heels and grabbed William’s arm to steady herself.

As Darby chatted to the couple about the grapes, and the climate, he said, “When it gets very cold we use helicopters to stop the frost over the vines by hovering above and stirring up the cold air.”

William exclaimed: “You’re joking?! That’s an expensive way to do it. If you ever need a spare pilot, I’m here!”

Darby added, “I think the Duchess was more interested in the gardening – she seemed quite knowledgeable in the pruning aspect of the vines.”

Michelle Morpeth, of Wooing Tree vineyard says, “We also talked about the fact 2013 was an excellent vintage and they should keep a magnum of 2013 wine to drink at George’s 21st birthday. Kate seemed really keen on that and thought it was a nice idea.”

Earlier, in Dunedin, the couple had gone head-to-head in a ‘Rippa Rugby,’ as each of them helped coach a team of children in the mini-rugby game. This time, after coming in second place at sailing, William, 31, got his revenge by winning.

The couple had started the day by attending church services to mark Palm Sunday, with Kate, in a dress by Emilia Wickstead and a matching hat, wearing New Zealand designers for the first time on this tour.