Royals

Royals remember diggers in New Zealand

Royals remember diggers in New Zealand

Charles and Camilla attended a Rememberance Day ceremony, their first engagement in New Zealand.

The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall have touched down in New Zealand, paying their respects at a sombre Armistice Day commemoration ceremony.

The couple arrived in Auckland on Saturday night, kicking off a six-day day visit to New Zealand, following their whirlwind tour of Australia.

The last post: Charles and Camilla farewell Australia

A few hundred people turned out at the Auckland War Memorial Museum on Sunday morning to get a glimpse of Prince Charles and Camilla at their first official engagement in the country.

The royal couple were treated to a traditional Maori welcome from local tribe Ngati Whatua before the service commenced with a flyover by a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757.

The Prince, who is New Zealand’s commodore in chief, wore a RNZAF uniform as he laid a wreath on behalf of the Queen.

Dressed in a black suit by London designer Antony Price, topped off with a feathered hat by the Royals’ milliner of choice, Philip Treacy, the Duchess appeared animated as she chatted with those she was seated next to.

Also attending the ceremony was Prime Minister John Key and his wife, Bronagh, and Auckland’s mayor Len Brown.

The couple were of course happy to meet Kiwi locals who had waited patiently to see them, and shook the hands of veterans after the service.

Related: Charles and Camilla farewell Sydney with exclusive dinner

While this was the Duke and Duchess’ only engagement for the day, their schedule is not slowing down.

The tour will take them to Wellington, Feilding, and Christchurch, where they will wrap up their visit and depart, bound for Britain, on Friday.

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