Royal tour: William and Kate quash rumours of second baby after Prince George gift-gate

Duke had apparently hinted that another baby was on its way ‘soon’

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge take part in wine tasting with with Amisfield Winery's co-owner John Darby during a visit to Queenstown, New Zealand (Getty Images)

The Duchess of Cambridge has quashed rumours that she and William were set to give Prince George a little brother or sister, alleviating fears that another royal baby furore was on the way.

Speculation had spilled over that Kate may have already been pregnant, after the Duke appeared to thank a woman who gave a gift to George by saying she might need to make another "soon".

Yet just hours later the couple went the most active section of their New Zealand and Australia tour to date, which couldn't have been more calculated to dispel rumours of a second baby (if it hadn't been pre-planned).

In pictures: Prince George on his first crawl-about in New Zealand

William and Kate first went on a white-water speed-boat ride that included straights of up to 50mph and 360-degree spins. The Shotover Jet company expressly advises people not to participate if they are pregnant.

Later, the couple took part in a wine tasting event at the Amisfield winery near Queenstown. Though Kate had no more than a glass or two of wine on the tour, according to the Times she made a point of saying she "was really enjoying being able to drink again after having baby George".

Yesterday, William was quoted as telling a woman who had presented the royals with a lace shawl for George: "You might have to make another one soon."

Cynthia Read, who was commissioned to make the piece on behalf of the New Zealand government, apparently then said: "The way William said it was like he was dropping a hint, letting me in on a secret."

Yet Ms Read now denies that the "hint" was ever supposed to be read as meaning a new royal baby was imminent. She told New Zealand TV: "He said to me 'You might need to make another one some time' - not soon, as other media were saying.

"It seemed like it was just a throwaway comment."