The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall have landed safely at the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) terminal in Wellington, New Zealand to kick off their tour of New Zealand and Australia. Although it is spring, the weather seemed more like winter with chilly winds and rain.
It has been two years since the last time the couple’s last visit, arriving in an RNZAF Boeing 757 from Singapore.
Upon arrival, the couple were greeted by Prime Minister John Key, his wife Bronagh, and Wellington mayor Celia Wade-Brown, before heading to Government House for their official welcome.
The first public event of the royal tour saw Prince Charles and Camilla attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pukeahau National Memorial Park with a crowd of around 100 people.
They laid a wreath at the memorial, then greeted former soldiers and unveiled the Commonwealth Walkway plaque. The duo also took the time to speak with veterans from World War II and Korea, including members of the Russian Convoy and former British Paratroopers.
Charles and Camilla walked through ANZAC Square to meet fans waiting out in the cold weather just to get a glimpse of the couple. Fifteen-year-old Jasmin Johnson was very excited just to see Prince Harry’s father.
That evening they attended a reception held at Government House in their honour.
While in New Zealand, Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall will carry out solo engagements as well as joint visits, with everything from a trip to a West Coast brewery to a welcome onto Turangawaewae Marae.
Royal fans will have many chances to see the royal couple as they are to take part in many walkabouts.
Prince Charles recently praised New Zealand for giving everyone in the UK “so much sporting prowess and excitement” in the Rugby World Cup.
“I am much looking forward to our tour of Australia and New Zealand, especially when these two countries have given everyone so much sporting prowess and excitement in the UK through the Rugby World Cup,” he said.
“Over the past 50 years I have enjoyed so much about the visits; the people, the landscape, the wildlife or at least some of it! – as well as the many different communities and cultures.”
Next Tuesday local time the couple will depart New Zealand for Australia where Prince Charles will be celebrating his 67th birthday at a beach barbecue in Perth on 14 November.
“veterans from World War I” there are no longer any veterans from World War I. You might want to edit this.