Driving rain and mist shortened proceedings somewhat, involving a change to the program, but the show still went on.
The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall touched down from Darwin on a Royal New Zealand Air Force Boeing 757 in the early afternoon and after clearing customs and biosecurity – even the monarchy get the sniffer dog treatment – the couple met Prime Minister John Key and Wellington Mayor Celia Wade-Brown.
A 21-gun salute was fired at Government House to celebrate the couple’s arrival and inside they met local dignitaries ahead of the formal welcoming ceremony.
Maori elders Lewis Moeau and Hiria Haape escorted and advised Charles and Camilla during the traditional elements of the welcome ceremony.
The Prince and his wife should already feel at home – apart from the ongoing formalities, the soggy, dreary weather in Wellington is more akin to a wintry England day than a late spring afternoon in New Zealand.
A small but hardy crowd turned out at the National War Memorial Park for the first public event of the Royal Tour.
The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall laid a wreath at the Memorial before greeting former soldiers.
The Duchess wore an elegant cream-coloured coat and dress by one of her favourite fashionistas British designer Anna Valentine and a Philip Treacy hat.
The Royal couple spoke briefly with veterans from World War 2 and Korea, including former British Paratroopers and members of the Russian Convoy. Prince Charles and Camilla then signed the visitors’ book and unveiled the Commonwealth Walkway plaque.
This was to have happened outside – but was moved indoors due to the bad weather. Helped by the Prime Minister, their Royal Highnesses laid ferns on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior – although the wind did its best to blow them away.
After that, it was outside to meet the public. A crowd of around 150 people had gathered – the Royal couple shook hands and exchanged greetings, with the Duchess apologising to one couple for having brought the British summer weather with her.
They were then whisked into a waiting car – off to their next engagement, a state reception at Government House.
This is Charles’ ninth visit to New Zealand, and Camilla’s second. Highlights over the next 6 days include visits to Nelson, Dunedin, Ngaruawahia, New Plymouth and Auckland before the royal couple fly out to Australia on Tuesday.
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