Kiwi troops perform haka for prince and princess
PRINCE William and Princess Catherine were greeted to a haka, He Taua, by New Zealand troops at a military base in Surrey yesterday.
The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the army training centre in Pirbright and met troops from the Commonwealth, who will be take part in the state funeral of the Queen tomorrow, People reported.
According to a release from Kensington Palace, soldiers from New Zealand, Australia and Canada are at the military base to rehearse for the ceremony.
At the end of the royal couple’s visit, the 24 New Zealand troops performed He Taua for them. They acknowledging with a nod.
He Taua, a call to arms, was written by WO (retd) Wallace RNZAF in response to a request from a NZDF sports team. Although each of the services have their own haka, He Taua can be performed when NZDF come together, including for operational deployments.
On Twitter, the couple thanked the troops for taking time out of their rehearsals.
‘‘To those we spoke to from Australia, Canada and New Zealand, we really appreciate you being here.’’
More than a dozen Kiwis will attend the Queen’s funeral at Westminster Abbey today, including Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Kiingi Tā heitia and former SAS soldier Willi Apiata.
Arden has paid her respects at the coffin of the late Queen, and was among the first of world dignitaries to attend the lying in state at London’s Westminster Hall.
Earlier, Ardern also met Prince William and Princess Catherine at Windsor Castle.