Megan and Harry’s Royal Tour: Duke and Duchess leave Australia for New Zealand
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have touched down for their three day New Zealand visit. But it’s not the first time the Duchess has been to the land of the long white cloud, with an old blog post revealing her thoughts on the country.
PRINCE Harry and Meghan Markle have been greeted with a rousing welcome as they touched down in New Zealand for the final leg of their tour.
The royals arrived in Wellington, New Zealand to the cheers and whistles of royal fans.
The Duchess pulled off an outfit change during the four-hour flight, swapping her burgundy Hugo Boss frock for a black ASOS Maternity, paired with a $875 Karen Walker coat. Both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were wearing a red poppy.
New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was there to greet the royal couple, before chatting and taking photos with the Kiwi Invictus athletes that joined the Duke and Duchess on the plane.
Meghan and Harry then left in a motorcade to be taken to Government House, where they were greeted with a traditional welcome ceremony, including the haka.
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The couple were met by Maori elders Kaumatua Professor Piri Sciascia and Kula Mrs Te Ripowai Higgin.
Then a Powhiri, or a traditional Maori welcome, was given.
As well as the military gala, there was also a haka performed by students from Hato Paora College in Feilding.
As a 21-gun salute fired, the Duke inspected the guard of honour, stopping to chat with several soldiers.
Dignitaries, including Wellington Mayor Justin Lester, are arriving at Pukeahu National War Memorial in Wellington ahead of the arrival of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.
Up to 5000 people are gathered behind barriers, hoping to catch a glimpse of the newlyweds.
The couple will be met onsite by Rear Admiral David Ledson and other distinguished guests will be introduced to them. Their Royal Highnesses will place the wreath of fern fronds on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
Meghan has previously spoken highly of New Zealand in her old lifestyle blog.
The Duchess wrote in The Tig, which is now shut down, that she thought New Zealand was “one of the most beautiful countries in the world”.
Nine News reported Meghan described New Zealand’s South Island as “magical” and “undoubtedly spectacular” in her blog entry, Love Letter to All Things Kiwi.
She completed the campervan tour in 2014.
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Neither NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian or Prime Minister Scott Morrison were there to farewell the Duke and Duchess. Instead, NSW state housing minister Anthony Roberts and Federal MP Julian Leeser waved the royal duo goodbye instead
Colonel Michael Miller was also there behalf of NSW governor, David Hurley.
The Duke and Duchess battled windy conditions as they climbed the steps to the Royal New Zealand Air Force plane. Meghan’s hair whipped her face as she gave a slight waved to the dignitaries below.
Meghan’s baby bump was almost completely hidden in the burgundy Hugo Boss dress she wore. She paired the $450 dress with same pair of heels and bag from the last night’s Invictus Games closing ceremony.
Police were out in force for the royal couple’s 9.40am arrival, carrying out security sweeps around Sydney airport. Check-in was quick for Harry and Meghan, who departed at around 10am, joined by the Kiwi Invictus team.
After attending the traditional welcome ceremony at Government House, Meghan and Harry will head to Pukeahu National War Memorial where they will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior.
The Duke and Duchess will spend three days in New Zealand, and leave Australia after attending the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games, where both made powerful speeches.
DUKE AND DUCHESS WOW CROWDS WITH INCREDIBLE SPEECHES
Meghan and Harry gave powerful, and emotive farewell speeches at the Invictus Games closing ceremony that stunned viewers.
Meghan opened her speech by saying it was an honour to be there and celebrate and supporting her husband in the Invictus Games which he founded four years ago.
“In that short span of time, the Games have evolved into an international platform of some of the best athletics and sportsmanship you could ever witness, coupled with the camaraderie and close-knit sense of community which can only be defined as the Invictus Spirit,” she said.
“With that said and on a very personal note, I just wanted to thank all of you for welcoming me into the Invictus Family.
“I am truly so grateful to be a part of this with each and every one of you, and I’m not sure if many of you know this — thank you — I’m not sure if many of you know this, but a few years ago before I met my husband, I had the incredible honour of meeting troops deployed all over the world from the UK, Afghanistan and several other countries.
“In travelling to these military bases, I was given a very special glimpse into the lives of those who serve our countries. I was able to see the unshakeable bond between servicemen and women on the ground together, but at the same time to feel the palpable longing for family and friends while deployed. Once home, the need for that anchor of support from loved ones, especially given how much it accelerates recovery and rehabilitation is immeasurable. I’ve been reminded of those memories here.”
Prince Harry later spoke, thanking “the people of Australia who filled the stands and cheered on the sidelines”.
“Your energy powered our competitors all week and you made these Games your own, by creating a typically Aussie atmosphere,” he said.
“To the friends and families who got our competitors to the start line and applauded them all the way to the finish line, thank you. You are all part of one big Invictus Family, and none of us would be here without you. And to the competitors goes the biggest thanks of all. You have once again left us humbled and inspired by your example, by your determination, by your service and by your sense of humour.”
He then went on to speak about the Invictus generation.
“Your choice to serve your nations places you alongside those storied generations that have come before you, that have fought two world wars and then secured a world order built on freedom, democracy and tolerance. And, of course, this choice to serve, this choice to put yourselves at risk for the benefit of others, is at the very heart of what I founded these Invictus Games to celebrate,” he said.
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