Charles, Camilla kick off NZ tour

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall have touched down in Auckland ahead of a six-day tour of the country.

Their royal highnesses arrived at Whenuapai air base on a Royal New Zealand Air Force plane yesterday afternoon. They shook hands with waiting dignitaries and a bugle was played before they were whisked away in a waiting car.

Prince Charles wore a grey suit and a blue tie while the duchess wore a cream coat.

The royal couple

will

visit

Auckland, Northland, Christchurch and Kaiko¯ura during their tour, which runs until November 23. They previously visited New Zealand in 2015, and in 2012 to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Today, they will lay a wreath at the Mt Roskill War Memorial Park and learn about the experiences of Niuean soldiers who served during World War I. They will also visit the Wesley Community Centre and view traditional dance performances.

In the afternoon, they will return to the Whenuapai Air Base for a formal ceremony, the inspection of the Guard of

The Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall at the Royal New Zealand Air Force base in Whenuapai.

Honour and the presentation of the Queen’s Colour.

The public will be able to see the prince and duchess during a public walk at Auckland’s Viaduct Harbour tomorrow or in Christchurch’s Cathedral Square on Friday. The prince will do a solo walk in Kaiko¯ ura the following day.

The last time Prince Charles and Camilla were in New Zealand, in 2015, fans waited for up to four hours to see them at Auckland’s Aotea Square.

Aucklander Caroline Metcalfe said shaking Camilla’s hand was probably the most exciting thing that had ever happened to her.