Royals to meet grieving military families (AAP)

Royals to meet grieving military families

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have arrived in Queensland for a brief visit, which will include spending time with the families of diggers killed in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Prince William and his wife Kate touched down at the Amberley air force base, west of Brisbane, about 11am.

Kate followed Prince William down the stairs in an elegant white dress bearing a blue poppy motif.

The poppy print dress, by LKBennett London, was teamed with a small blue clutch bag.

Defence Force chief David Hurley, and his wife Linda, greeted the couple on the tarmac, where a military band played God Save the Queen and the Australian national anthem.

A smiling and relaxed looking Prince William inspected the guard of honour assembled to welcome the couple.

Two F/A-18F Super Hornets, stationed at the base, also completed a flyover to mark the visit.

Safe landing at RAAF Base Amberley.
The royal couple have now gone inside for morning tea.

Their time at Amberley - Australia's largest air force base - will see them plant a tree in the memorial garden and spend time with families still mourning the loss of loved ones in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Relatives of Lance Corporal Stjepan Milosevic - one of three Australians killed by a rogue Afghan soldier in 2012 - are among those who will spend time with the duke and duchess.

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

The royal couple will later head to Brisbane's South Bank for a civic reception.

Royal watchers are already gathering at the parkland precinct, hoping to steal a glimpse or perhaps a quick word with the couple during a public walk.

The couple will leave Brisbane for Sydney just after 3pm.

Some of the many thousands expected to get a glimpse of the royal couple.
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