Prince William makes republican Jacinda Ardern a dame

London: Jacinda Ardern, former prime minister of New Zealand, has received her damehood from the Prince of Wales, despite being a republican.

Ardern, 44, said she was conflicted about accepting the accolade when she was awarded the honour last year for leading New Zealand through the COVID pandemic.

Overnight, Prince William officially made her a Dame Grand Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit at Windsor Castle.

Jacinda Ardern is made a Dame Grand Commander of the New Zealand Order of Merit by the Prince of Wales at Windsor Castle.Credit: AP

As prime minister, she was outspoken about her views that the country would become a republic within her lifetime, but did not make it a priority of her six years in government.

Ardern donned a traditional Maori cloak (Korowai), which is often worn during special ceremonies.

Speaking after the ceremony, the former leader said receiving the damehood had been “particularly special” as the pair had come to know each other over recent years, particularly through their work on the prince’s environmental Earthshot Prize. She was appointed a trustee of prize last April.

Ardern said she was “incredibly honoured and very humbled” and that she felt it acknowledged her family, her former colleagues and New Zealanders who gave her the “extraordinary privilege of serving them for five years”.

Previously, when her damehood was announced, Ardern said she was “incredibly humbled” but “in two minds” about accepting the accolade. She explained: “So many of the things we went through as a nation over the last five years were about all of us rather than one individual.

Dame Jacinda Ardern at Windsor Castle.Credit: Getty Images

“But I have heard that said by so many Kiwis who I have encouraged to accept an honour over the years. And so for me this is a way to say thank you – to my family, to my colleagues, and to the people who supported me to take on the most challenging and rewarding role of my life.”

She served as prime minister from 2017 to 2023 and was recognised for her leadership during the pandemic and the 2019 Christchurch terror attacks.

Speaking during her premiership, she said she thought that New Zealand ditching the monarchy was an inevitability.

She made clear she was personally in favour of the country becoming a republic, but while prime minister she insisted that she had other more pressing issues to deal with.

In her first comments on the issue of republicanism after Queen Elizabeth II’s death, Ardern said: “I’ve made my view plain many times. I do believe that is where New Zealand will head, in time. I believe it is likely to occur in my lifetime.”

The investiture comes ahead of the King’s tour of Australia and Samoa, where he will attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting with Queen Camilla.

The tour – which marks his first to a realm as monarch – had been planned to include New Zealand, but the palace confirmed it will not be included in their itinerary while he undertakes a “limited” program as he continues his treatment for cancer.

Charles was said to be “disappointed” not to be visiting New Zealand but both sides are said to be aware of the need for him to pace himself.

The Telegraph, London

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