Press Release
Press Release
30th June 2005
Prince William arrives in New Zealand
Prince William arrived in New Zealand today for his first visit since he visited with his parents in 1983. He was on his first solo royal tour, and this was also the first time he represented Her Majesty The Queen. He will be in the country until 10th July. He was invited by British and Irish Lions Head Coach Sir Clive Woodward to join the team for the second and third tests against the All Blacks, on 2nd and 9th July. Prince William is also expected to attend a Lions training camp. On 3rd July he will attend a wreath-laying ceremony at the National War Memorial, Wellington, at which he will represent The Queen, and lay a wreath on behalf of Her Majesty to mark the 60th anniversary of the ending of the Second World War. On 10th July he will attend a similar wreath-laying ceremony, at the Cenotaph, Auckland. The Prime Minister, the Rt Hon Helen Clark, will also be present.
On 6th July the Prince will visit the Arrowtown Primary School (Principal, John Lightfoot). On 9th July he will open the New Zealand Junior Mens' Water Polo Competition, at the West Wave Aquatic Centre, Waitakere, West Auckland. Prince William was team captain of the University of St Andrews water polo squad, and a member Scottish national water polo squad 2004. He represented Scotland in the Celtic Nations' Water polo tournament against Wales and Ireland.
The Prince will also be able to spend some private time looking around New Zealand, including staying on a farm, and visiting a marae. He will visit both the North and South Islands.
He will spend the rest of the northern summer at a City of London financial institution to familiarize himself with international finance and commerce, and on a country estate learning something of the practical application of land management.
The visit by the Prince followed a private visit by Zara Phillips, daughter of the Princess Royal.
Dr Noel Cox
Chairman, The Monarchist League of New Zealand Inc.