Prince George meets Bilby George at Taronga Zoo in Sydney

Prince George has met Bilby George at Taronga Zoo in Sydney during his first official engagement in Australia.

The two came face-to-face on Sunday at Taronga Zoo’s enclosure, where it was officially named the Prince George Bilby Exhibit as part of Australia’s gift following the prince’s birth on July 22 last year.

It had been anticipated that Prince George would make his only public appearance at the zoo, but it wasn’t confirmed until he was filmed being put into the car by his mother Kate Middleton.

Kate Middleton carried Prince George – dressed in dark blue shorts, a striped lighter blue-colored shirt, dark blue socks and shoes – as they entered the zoo.

Eight-month-old Prince George looked inquisitive, and was chuckling and looking at the cameras.

Kate Middleton had changed out the dove-grey Alexander McQueen outfit she wore to church during Easter Sunday service, into a lemon cream broderie anglaise dress by a designer who did not want to be named. The dress had a fitted bodice and flared out to the knee.

After a quick photo op, the family headed into the enclosure where the meeting took place.

Prince William helped break the ice, when he enticed the bilby – renamed George – over with some food.

Kate Middleton held Prince George close to the glass wall dividing the pair, and he started to show a keen interest in the endangered marsupial.

Despite being a royal, Prince George proved himself to be a normal baby – eagerly grabbing the stuffed bilby present before throwing it on the ground – and sticking a card straight in his mouth.

This was Prince George’s second official function.

During the New Zealand leg of the trip, Prince George “hosted” a play group event with other babies his age at Government House.

After the very short engagement, Prince George returned to Admiralty House, while Kate Middleton and Prince William continued through the zoo, feeding tree kangaroos, walking past giraffes, enjoying a bird show, and taking in the rhino conservation display.