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It’s shaping up to be a busy few months for the senior royals, what with the Sussexes’ tour of southern Africa, the Cambridges’ upcoming tour of Pakistan and now more details have been released about Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla upcoming visit to our shores next month.
Earlier this year it was announced Charles, Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall would be undertaking an official visit to New Zealand in November – their third joint visit to our shores – and now, just weeks out, Clarence House has released a statement detailing the royal couple’s plans for their one-week tour.
The tour, which was at the request of the New Zealand Government, is set to take place between November 17th to 23rd, with Their Royal Highnesses arriving into Auckland where they will receive an official welcome at Government House by Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern.
During their time in the country’s largest city, the couple will visit programmes and organisations working in areas they are committed to supporting, the statement says, with Prince Charles focusing on young people and youth opportunity as well as environmental issues – with particular emphasis on tackling plastic waste.
Meanwhile Camilla with focus on her key themes which include domestic violence and literacy.
Prince Charles, 70, and Camilla, 70, will then travel to the Waitangi Treaty Grounds to receive an official welcome and to honour the relationship between The Crown and Māori.
Charles last visited the historic grounds on Waitangi Day in 1994, with this visit marking 25 years since a member of the royal family has visited the Waitangi.
Prince Charles during his most recent visit to Waitangi in 1994, marking 25 years since a member of the royal family has visited the grounds. (Image: Getty)
The future King and his wife will also travel to Christchurch to see “first-hand the resilience and regeneration of the city since the 2011 earthquake,” Clarence House says.
“The Prince and The Duchess will also see how the community has rallied to support the families affected by the two Mosque attacks in the city in March,” this follows The Duke of Cambridge’s visit to the city in April following the attack to pay his respects to the victims and meet with their families and those in the community affected.
Charles will also visit Kaikōura to learn about effects of the 2016 earthquake.
While Camilla will fly back to the UK following the tour of Aotearoa, Clarence House has announced Charles will also pay visits to the Commonwealth island nations of Tuvalu and the Solomon Islands – his first visit to the country, where he will focus on environmental issues like climate change and ocean preservation.
The last time the couple visited New Zealand was in 2015. (Image: Getty)
Following the announcement back in June, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern praised the future King’s passion for the environment and conservation.
“I know that the couple have enjoyed New Zealanders’ warm hospitality and manaakitanga when they visited previously,” she said in a statement.
“The Prince of Wales has been a strong advocate for the environment, conservation and sustainability for many years.
“This visit will provide opportunities for him to engage with New Zealand on those subjects, and to learn more about the ways in which New Zealand is preparing for the future.”
However, before heading to New Zealand Prince Charles will be taking a whirlwind trip to Japan to attend the ceremony of enthronement for Emperor Naruhito.
The two day trip on behalf of the Queen will take place between October 22nd and 23rd and include a day of engagements in the capital of Tokyo to celebrate the British-Japanese connection.
