Meghan and Harry talk about mental health in Wellington as royal tour continues in New Zealand
PRINCE Harry has revealed the name he’s given to his unborn child after he and Meghan made a touching gesture when they met a shy boy overwhelmed by their visit to New Zealand.
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A GROUP of excited, chanting school children got the chance to meet a real life prince charming as Harry and Meghan stopped by to greet them in Wellington, New Zealand.
One shy boy was comforted by Meghan and even got a belly tickle from Harry during the visit — after the Prince noticed nerves had gotten the better of him.
Joe Young was standing in line waiting to meet the royal couple while holding a paper flag.
The Duke and Duchess leant down to talk to him as they comforted him, as he appeared overwhelmed by their visit.
The couple then posed for pictures and met with chuffed school students at Houghton Valley.
“Joe was very nervous and Harry was very nice with him,” deputy principal Monica Mercury said.
“I’m a huge fan of Harry and I always wanted him to share his crazy life with someone and he finally found someone so I’m really happy for him,” Ms Mercury said of the visit.
“It’s not every day this sort of thing this happens.”
At the end the Duchess ran back to the cafe and asked staff to bring out trays of cakes for the students as she “really wanted all the food to be brought outside for the children”.
The couple made their way down the line with Max Dash, eight, giving flowers to her.
He said: “She said thankyou. It was so exciting. At the start I was a bit freaked out.”
Monica Young-Leathers, eight, said: “I begged to come up here and shake hands with Prince Harry and Meghan and surprisingly my teacher said yes.”
“It was really exciting.”
Edith Prevble, six, was seen practising her curtsies in the line before the Duke and Duchess arrived.
She said: “My granny sent a text to my dad saying I hope you get to curtsy.
“I said ‘My name is Edith’ and they said it’s very nice to meet you.”
Rewa Ririnui, eight, said: “The most amazing thing ever happened to me.
“We were told we’re going get a big surprise and they said when they come down the stairs you’ll get a thumbs up.
“And we wondered who was going to come down the stairs and I was so surprised when Harry and Meghan came down at shook our hands.
“We told them our names and what school we came from.”
When the couple left, the children could be heard collectively letting out a loud sigh of disappointment as the Duke got back into a car.
When they arrived they were met with screams and yelling just after 10am local time from hundreds of locals who had waited for hours to catch a glimpse of the couple.
HARRY’S CUTE NAME FOR THEIR BUB
The pair arrived at Totaranui in Abel Tasman National Park, in a Royal New Zealand Air Force NH90 helicopter, where they learnt about local conservation projects.
As rain fell and weka birds - the country’s flighess bird - prowled around, they were welcomed to the beachside campsite with a traditional powhiri from local iwi with the blowing of a conch shell, a karanga and a long line of hongi.
Inside a marquee set up on the grass, local kaumatua Barney Thomas spoke in te reo, wishing them “kia kaha” with their “pepi”, the Duchess smiling as this was translated.
He later explained that he’d told the royals, “There’s two of you now and there will be three of you soon, and I’m sure you’ll be supported.”
The Duke at in the front row of a line of plastic chairs, but hers was set a few inches back from Harry’s.
Barney, of Onetahua Marae in Nelson, explained, “The middle represents the god of war and we don’t want to put our women into that space. We want to be inclusive but especially Meghan, because she’s expecting, we don’t want to put her at any risk.”
After a waiata, the Duke addressed the group: “Thank you so much for having us today. The weather forecast was a lot worse than this and we are really fortunate to be here.
“The rain is a blessing and a reminder of our connection to the land ... From my wife, myself and our little bump, we are so grateful to be here ... We bring you greetings from my grandmother.”
Also acknowledging the weather and how lousy it has been throughout their trip, Barney finished up by saying, “We’ve been watching your progress on tour and we wouldn’t want to be royals.”
The Duke, in a black puffer jacket, and his wife, in a black Seasalt jacket, then joined DoC ranger Andrew Lamason for a stroll along the yellow-sand beach, the royal couple arm in arm, sharing an umbrella.
They came across a weka, with Andrew explaining they’re New Zealand’s version of a monkey as they’re very cheeky.
He said the Duke knew a lot about global conservation issues, and that the prince expressed concern over the proliferation of fake news and those who believe it.
A planned tree planting was called off due to weather, with the royals instead joining school children and youth volunteers for brownies and tea in the marquee.
As served themselves, a local kuia commented, “There should be someone serving them.”
After meeting the Duke, Milan Chapman, 15, of Motueka High School, said: “They were very nice, chatty and relaxed.”
Pippa Struck, 13, of Golden Bay High School, added: “They were just so calm. You see them on TV, but when you meet them, you realise they’re just normal people.”
Saskia Gray, 16, an Abel Tasman Youth Ambassador, commented: “It was a great opportunity. I’m very fortunate to have this chance.
“They acted very down-to-earth, and they genuinely care about the people and the land.”
After a group photo, the royals were presented with gifts, including a painting of three tui by Takaka artist Robin Slow, which represents them and their unborn child. They both admired it, with Meghan saying, “Thank you so much.”
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Continuing their picturesque tour of NZ, the couple visited one of the city’s “most iconic cafes”, the Maranui,as they spoke about an issue close to their hearts.
Inside the cafe they met people from a number of NZ mental health projects.
Officials said the projects “offer support to other young people through help lines, social media, websites and school-based programs.”
They were shown through by Jazz Thornton and Gen Mora, founders of Voices of Hope, as well as Queen’s Young Leader Ezekiel Raui, founder of Te Kotahi.
At Maranui Café in Wellington The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are meeting young New Zealanders supporting others in the area of mental health. #RoyalVisitNZ pic.twitter.com/m8bXNxnY3s
— Kensington Palace (@KensingtonRoyal) October 28, 2018
She also wore a 1737 lapel badge promoting the work of the helpline.
Despite the serious subject matter, was no sense of gloom during today’s visit.
The Duke seemed taken by the plate laden with colourful cakes on the first table.
Witnesses said the conversation was warm, open and flowed.
As the prince drank water, Voices of Hope spoke about the importance of education in mental health.
The Duchess ordered a cup of tea.
Jazz and Gen from Voices of Hope told the couple about the work of their organisation.
The Duke spoke about the value of normalising the conversation about mental health.
The Duchess seemed surprised to hear Jazz from Voices of Hope say that some people perceive requests for help as attention seeking.
Prince Harry asked how much of a part social media played in the number of young people experiencing symptoms.
It’s a real topic that needs to be discussed, says the prince.
“Everyone needs someone to turn to right?” Harry said.
The Duchess wore Australian Outland jeans, a Jac and Jack top and a Club Monaco coat.
She was first seen wearing the local brand started by Queensland couple James and Erica Bartle while in Dubbo in New South Wales where she and Prince Harry discussed the damaging impact of the drought with farmers.
Outland Denim’s founder James Bartle has said Meghan’s decision to wear their $199 jeans have sent sales up 950 per cent.
It has also led to the company employing more people as orders have come in from around the world. The jeans are made by women who are vulnerable to sex trafficking.
MEGHAN’S TRIBUTE TO WOMEN
The stop comes after Meghan paid tribute to the women of New Zealand in a moving speech at Government House, saying “feminism is about fairness”.
At a reception in Wellington to mark the 125th anniversary of women’s suffrage, the Duchess of Sussex delivered one of her trademark empowering speeches.
Meghan told the audience she was “proud” to celebrate New Zealand women and their fight for the vote.
New Zealand was the first self-governing country in the world in which all women had the right to vote in parliamentary elections.
“Suffrage is not simply about the right to vote but also about what that represents,” Meghan told the invited guests.
“The basic and fundamental human right of being able to participate in the choices for your future and that of your community. The involvement and voice that allows you to be a part of the very world you are a part of.
”And women’s suffrage is not simply about the right to vote for women but also about what that represents.”
AIR FRESHENER EMERGENCY
Meghan’s speech came a day after she wowed the crowds at the Invictus Games closing ceremony with her incredible address paying tribute to “the Invictus Family”.
For the Wellington reception, she wore a black $3517 Gabriela Hearst gown, which had reportedly been modified to show less skin, with capped sleeves replacing the original spaghetti straps.
Just before the reception was due to start, Government House was evacuated after a fire alarm went off.
Government House spokeswoman Nerina Bennett, said the alarm cause was an air freshener atomiser in a small ground floor toilet.
She said there had been some confusion about what had set off the alarm, with earlier reports suggesting a vegetable steamer had caused it.
Prime Minster Jacinda Ardern met the pair when they arrived from Sydney at the Wellington Airport Military Terminal.
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NZ Governor-General Dame Patsy Reddy, and her Maori elders, Kaumatua Professor Piri Sciascia and Kula Mrs Te Ripowai Higgins then welcomed them on Government House’s lush green lawns.
The couple, praised in Tonga for being an “inspiration” to young people, were invited to “hongi” — clasping of hands and gentle pressing of noses — with the elders before NZ servicemen and women performed a powhiri. Local college boys danced a haka before a 21-gun salute.
Continuing the trip’s strong military theme, they laid a wreath at the symbolic Tomb of the Unknown Warrior at the adjacent national war memorial.
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.
HARRY AND MEGHAN’S LOW KEY AUSSIE EXIT
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 the same pair of heels and bag from the Invictus Games closing ceremony.
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 storeyed 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.
Originally published as Meghan and Harry talk about mental health in Wellington as royal tour continues in New Zealand