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Princess Anne and Family

The Princess Royal visits New Zealand

The Princess Royal paid a visit to New Zealand last week, accompanied by her husband, Sir Tim Laurence.

In a typically jam-packed visit, Princess Anne spent four days in the Commonwealth country to mark the centenary of the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals, of which the royal is Colonel-in-Chief.

Upon arrival, Princess Anne and Tim paid a visit to the Governor General, The Right Honourable Dame Cindy Kiro and her husband, Dr Richard Davies. Dame Kiro shared on the Governor General’s Facebook page that she was delighted to welcome the royal couple and that this was the first royal visit to New Zealand since the death of Queen Elizabeth II.

On the second day of their visit, Princess Anne and Tim visited the Prime Minister of Australia and later visited the National Crisis Management Centre in Wellington to learn more about the response to Cyclone Gabrielle.

Princess Anne had been due to attend a Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals centenary event, but in the aftermath of Cyclone Gabrielle, she instead visited the National Crisis Management Centre.

She released a statement as well, saying: “My thoughts are with all New Zealanders whose hopes or livelihoods have been affected by Cyclone Gabrielle.

“I have been given the opportunity to visit the national disaster and crisis headquarters today and I am impressed by the major efforts being undertaken by first responders, local and national agencies to ensure the best possible support for everyone, especially those still at risk.

“I admire the courage of the people of Aotearoa during this alarming and difficult time. You should all be proud of the resilience, strength and care for your communities you are showing in the face of adversity. Kia Kaha.”

Later in the day, she visited the Museum of New Zealand before attending the postponed centenary celebration for the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals.

The event was re-imagined as the Corps became involved in the emergency response to Cyclone Gabrielle and was held at Government House in Wellington instead. Princess Anne met with members of the Corps and presented a painting of Signallers, as members are called.

The Regimental Colonel, Colonel Kate Lee, said in a statement on the Corps’s website, “It is a privilege to have our Colonel-in-Chief in New Zealand to commemorate and connect with past and present members of the Royal New Zealand Corps of Signals and acknowledge the importance of signallers within operations for a century.”

The Princess Royal’s second day ended at the National War Memorial in Wellington, where she laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.

On her third day in New Zealand, Princess Anne visited Porirua and met with the local branch of the New Zealand Riding for the Disabled Association. After her visit, the Association wrote on Facebook: “Royal patronage is such a privilege, and this is a great reminder that we are part of a much larger international network. In fact we are New Zealand’s only internationally affiliated and recognised therapeutic horse riding provider in New Zealand.”

Later, Princess Anne opened the Wellington Mission for the Mission to Seafarers and unveiled the foundation stone for a Mission to Seafarers memorial at Wellington Cathedral.

On her final day in New Zealand, Princess Anne carried out engagements in Christchurch related to rebuilding the Christ Church Cathedral and the Christchurch Central City. She also laid a wreath at the Rededication Service for the Citizens’ War Memorial.

She later met with the Royal Agricultural Society of New Zealand and the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association before visiting the Untouched World Merino and Natural Fibre Workrooms.

For her final engagement in New Zealand, Princess Anne visited the Willowbank Wildlife Reserve in her role as Patron of the New Zealand Conservation Trust.

About author

Jess Ilse is the Assistant Editor at Royal Central. She specialises in the British, Danish, Norwegian and Swedish Royal Families and has been following royalty since Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee. Jess has provided commentary for media outlets in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Jess works in communications and her debut novel THE MAJESTIC SISTERS will publish in Fall 2024.