Willie’s right royal hongi

HE might have just been expecting to exchange a few old war stories, but Willie Apiata was never going to let Prince Harry get off that lightly.

The Victoria Cross hero seized the opportunity to hongi Prince Harry when the pair caught up at the Invictus Games in Canada yesterday.

The New Zealand Defence Force tweeted a photo of the greeting between the two during the morning and the post quickly gained more than 80 retweets.

The defence force also tweeted a photo of Prince Harry meeting team coach Patrick Pradel, when they shared a laugh about a kiwi on the top of Pradel’s hat

It’s not the first time Prince Harry has experienced a hongi. Two years ago, 24-year-old Ohinemataroa Iti-Kereopa gave him one of his first hongi as he was welcomed to Wellington during the official powhiri at Government House.

The Invictus Games, first started in 2014, were created by Prince Harry as an international Paralympic-style multi-sport event for wounded, injured or sick armed services personnel and veterans, with the current games being held in Toronto.

Prince Harry also met participants Ihaka Matairangi, Nicki Fairbairn, Koro Hati and coach Matt Vangioni.

The Defence Force is on its way to their most successful Invictus Games yet, with a medal tally of 10, including several golds.