William to mark new royal milestone in NZ
03 Nov 2009
Prince William first found his feet in New Zealand as a tiny tot on a royal tour with his parents, now he's set to mark another royal milestone on New Zealand soil.
When Prince William visits New Zealand next January on a brief but significant tour, it will be the first time that he officially represents the Queen overseas and his most important step yet towards becoming the future King of England.
It’s also another major milestone, linked with New Zealand, for the 27-year-old prince who first crawled and took the weight on his feet as a nine-month-old baby, during his parents 1983 visit.
Buzzy Bee
Pictures and film of the young prince playing on the lawn at Government House in Auckland, watched by his adoring parents Princess Diana and Prince Charles, and crawling to play with an iconic New Zealand buzzy bee toy, became world famous.
This time the prince, who is second in line to the throne, will take his grandmother’s place at the opening of the new Supreme Court building in Wellington on 18 January.
As well as the more formal engagements scheduled, it is hoped Prince William will have time to experience some of the adventure activities that draw thousands of people his age - including many young Britons - to New Zealand every year.
NZ engagements
Prince William will be in New Zealand from 17 - 19 January 2010, visiting Auckland and Wellington. As well as opening the new Supreme Court building, he will conduct a series of other engagements - details of his full programme will be released closer to his arrival.
He will then move on to Australia for a two-day unofficial tour to Sydney and Melbourne where he will learn more about local indigenous issues and visit the bushfire-ravaged countryside in Victoria.
Commonwealth ties
The prince says he hopes the trip will also help to cement the Royal Family’s close ties with the two Commonwealth countries.
It is understood that the Queen personally instigated William’s visit as she is keen for her grandson to "deepen his links" with the Commonwealth.
The Queen remains a passionate supporter of the 53-member Commonwealth which celebrated its 60th anniversary this year. In a moving speech, she recently highlighted the importance of young people to its future.
Discussions on the importance of the monarchy and a reported growing republican movement have prompted some debate in Australia and New Zealand. But Prime Minister John Key says that while New Zealand becoming a republic is "inevitable", he thinks it is unlikely for at least another decade.
RAF pilot training
Prince William is currently training to become an RAF Search and Rescue helicopter pilot, and will take a week’s leave to make the tour downunder.
Although he has insisted that he doesn’t want to become a full time working royal before the age of 30, the prince has agreed to taking on a more active role to ease some of the burden for the Queen who recently celebrated her 83rd birthday.
Prince William last visited New Zealand in 2005 when he followed the British Lions’ rugby tour. Although it was an unofficial tour, he laid a wreath at the National War Memorial in Wellington and another in Auckland to commemorate the end of WWII.
During his 11-day visit, the prince watched the All Blacks beat the British and Irish Lions and attended an All Blacks’ training session. He charmed crowds of well-wishers earning himself the title "Prince Charming" from the New Zealand media.
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