The people's princess in NZ

A stunned world learned 20 years ago today that Diana Princess of Wales had died after a Paris car crash

Before their marriage broke down, before she spoke out against the royal family and embarked on her own path as the people’s princess, happy newlywed Diana touched down in New Zealand with husband Prince Charles and baby Prince William.

The visit delighted Kiwi crowds, but the 1983 royal tour would be the first and only visit to New Zealand Diana and Charles would make as a couple. They arrived on April 17.

At the time, they had been married just two years. To the public, the fairytale still appeared intact as Diana, always more popular on the walkabouts than her husband, wooed crowds, attended cocktail parties and met with politicians. Diana met so many people by the end of the day, her hands were left red and sore after enthusiastic greetings.

The couple were put to work: they visited factories, watched a Fire Service display, stopped in many towns, and rolled up to a trotting meeting and garden parties.

In what became iconic images of 10-month-old William, the little prince posed with his parents and gnawed on a Buzzy Bee on the lawn of Government House in Auckland as cameras snapped away at the happy family.

As the Royal trio journeyed to Masterton, Wainuiomata and Upper Hutt, a demure Diana paraded an array of incredible outfits, the most memorable being a pale blue sequinstudded evening gown with a diamond tiara for a Parliament banquet dinner.

The family also took a tour of Wanganui Collegiate, where they visited Prince Edward, who was adorned in a Maori cloak, prompting Charles to ask: “What on earth are you wearing?”

During their tour it was estimated the Royal couple shook approximately 2000 hands per day as they greeted adoring Kiwi crowds.

There were protests against the monarchy during their trip, and a buttock bared by Te Ringa Mangu Mihaka, but the trip was deemed a success for the Royal couple.

By April 30, the New Zealand tour was over and the couple boarded a plane destined for the Bahamas.

Clockwise from left: Diana and Prince Charles still as a happy couple; the pair greeted by a Maori warrior; with Prince William at Government House; Diana at Eden Park; Students lined up to meet the princess.