Prince William talks about Prince George during first official event post-birth

In his first official event since becoming a father three weeks ago, England's Prince William thanked the community where he and his family have been living, and jokingly compared fatherhood with military rigors.

At the annual agricultural fair on the Welsh island of Anglesey, William said his wife Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, "is sorry that she cannot be here today to catch the show, but she and George" -- Prince George Alexander Louis, born July 22 -- "would have loved to have been here. He's pretty loud and, of course, extremely good-looking," William said, to appreciative chuckles.

William, 31, a Royal Air Force lieutenant ending a tour of duty at the island's RAF Valley base, added jocularly that, "I thought search-and-rescue duties over [the northern Wales region of] Snowdonia were physically and mentally demanding, but looking after a 3-week-old baby is right up there."

Local resident Caroline Roberts, who with her husband John chatted with the prince, told BBC News, "He was lovely, a real gentleman. We asked him how the baby is -- he said he was fine but had his moments."

Middleton, 31, and the baby were at her family home in Bucklebury, a village outside London. The duke and duchess' official residence is Kensington Palace.

"I know that both of us will miss it terribly when my search-and-rescue tour duty comes to an end next month and we have to move elsewhere," William told the crowd. "From the bottom of my heart, thank you for making my wife and me so welcome when we arrived here . . . This island has been our first home together and will always be an immensely special place for us both."