Ceremonial welcome for Harry, wife
WELLINGTON: Prince Harry and wife Meghan were treated to a ceremonial welcome in New Zealand yesterday, where they arrived for the final leg of their Pacific tour, their first international royal tour since marrying in May.
The royal couple, who have visited Australia, Fiji and Tonga, were received at Wellington airport by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
The official welcome ceremony took place on the lawns of Government House — the residence of the Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy.
Harry and Meghan rubbed noses with Maori leaders in a traditional “hongi” greeting and were welcomed by a haka, a centuries-old tribal war dance, to salute and honour them. A 21-gun salute was also sounded.
Meghan wore a brown chequered coat and a simple black dress, while Harry was in a dark grey suit.
Both had remembrance poppy pins on their chests.
Later, Harry and Meghan visited Pukeahu National War Memorial Park to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior and visited the UK Memorial.
A large crowed gathered to catch a glimpse Queen Elizabeth’s grandson and his wife, and the couple spent time meeting and shaking hands with cheering fans before leaving.
The pair flew from Australia yesterday after closing the Invictus Games in Sydney, and were accompanied by several Invictus Games athletes from New Zealand.