Prince George and Princess Charlotte have been attending a children's party in Canada - their first joint appearance at an official event.

The grounds of Government House - the home of the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia - had been transformed into a children's paradise for the event with balloon animals, a petting zoo, and even miniature ponies.

When the Cambridges appeared William was holding his son's hand and Kate held her daughter in her arms.

George was wearing his usual clothes combo of shorts, shirt, jumper and knee length socks while Charlotte wore a blue dress and a cardigan.

George appeared excited by the attractions on offer and when he found an orange fish shaped bubble gun he could not resist squirting Charlotte with it.

Later he was spotted squirting William and even the Duke tried his hand at being a children's entertainer and started making giant bubbles for his son and the other children.

Kate tried to entice her son towards the petting zoo and she said to the three-year-old prince: "George do you want come and see the ponies?"He ran off at first but was later seen sitting on one of the miniature animals.But when he spotted a balloon animal being made for his little sister he ran over to his mother and said "but I want one, can I have one?"

Most of George, three, and one-year-old Charlotte's excursions during their stay have been carried out in private without the glare of the media.

On Tuesday, the children went to Beacon Hill Children's Farm in Victoria where they reportedly petted some goats. The farm originally posted about the visit on Twitter and their Facebook page but then removed the messages. Staff were also told they could not take any pictures.

Local media said the children have also visited Willows Beach, which is one of Victoria's most popular swimming beaches.