Little Prince George was described as “advanced for his age” who “owned the place” by parents at his first play date in New Zealand capital Wellington.

During the 30-minute gathering of under-ones, mothers and fathers in New Zealand, the animated infant managed to make one little girl cry and snatched a toy from another.

In what is described as the third in line to the throne’s first public engagement, eight-month-old teething George chewed on toys and crawled around with 10 other little boys and girls at Government House.

The Duchess of Cambridge told one parent it was the largest gathering of children George had so far experienced.

Father Grant Colling also said the confident Royal tot, who was on the third day of a New Zealand and Australia tour with his parents, had a real command of the room.

“He was his own little man and took control moving into the middle of circle of toys,” he said.

“He hunted out the biggest toys and propped himself up. He completely owned the place basically.”

Sheila Lemie was struck by the little Royal’s strength: “He was very strong and much more advanced than our little boy.”

The long-awaited first public introduction of Prince George comes 31 years after a young Prince William was paraded in front of the press for the first time on the lawn of Government House in Auckland.

A fidgety William crawled unfazed towards the camped-out media, stopping only to chew on the antennae of the now famous Buzzy Bee wooden toy.

Kensington Palace had been keen to ensure George’s play date was as authentic as possible, with nothing staged for the Royal visitors.

After reducing the little girl to tears, it was clear they had achieved just that.

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