Prince William has arrived in Auckland today, where he attended the Auckland civic service this morning at 11 am, held at the Auckland War Memorial Museum, to commemorate Anzac Day.
The Duke of Cambridge arrived with New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Auckland Mayor Phil Goff, and was the first to lay a wreath on the war memorial cenotaph, on behalf of his grandmother, The Queen.
Prince William was the first to lay a wreath on the war memorial cenotaph during the Auckland civic ceremony to commemorate Anzac Day. (Image: Getty)
This afternoon he flies down to Christchurch to visit the Justice and Emergency Services precinct, where he will meet with the police and ambulance workers first on the scene during the attacks on March 15.
Tomorrow morning, the Duke will meet with survivors of the attack and their families and the wider Muslim community and Muslim community leaders, visiting Masjid Al Noor and Linwood Masjid before laying a wreath at the Oi Manawa Canterbury Earthquake National Memorial.
Prince William joined Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern and Auckand Mayor Phil Goff for the Auckland civic service at the Auckland Memorial Museum to commemorate Anzac Day. (Image: Getty)
The Duke’s two-day visit (April 25 and 26) was first announced in late March via a statement released by Kensington Palace, which announced he would be visiting on behalf of The Queen to “honour the victims of the Christchurch mosques terrorist attacks.”
“The Duke will meet with those affected by the attack and will pay tribute to the extraordinary compassion and solidarity that the people of New Zealand have displayed in recent weeks,” the statement read.
Prince William before the Auckland civic service began this morning. (Image: Getty)
Following the announcement of Prince William’s trip to New Zealand, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern said that she was “very pleased” he would be making the short visit to New Zealand.
“I am mindful that the trauma in Christchurch will last long after the National Remembrance Service this week,” she said at the time.
“I’m sure all New Zealand but especially the Muslim community of Christchurch will appreciate seeing the compassion and support, that has been so tangibly demonstrated since the attack, continue into the future.
“Prince William has a strong connection with the people of Canterbury since his visits here following the Christchurch earthquakes,” she continued.
“I’m really pleased that he can make a short visit to support those affected by the attack and pay tribute to the extraordinary compassion and solidarity that New Zealanders have displayed in recent weeks.”
Prince William will fly down to Christchurch this afternoon where he will visit the Justice and Emergency Services precinct. Here, Prince Willam and PM Jacinda Ardern exchange a hongi (Image: The New Zealand Government)
Following the attacks on March 15, Prince William and his wife Duchess Catherine issued a joint statement with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex condemning the “senseless attack” as “an affront to the people of Christchurch and New Zealand, and the broader Muslim community.”
“We have all been fortunate to spend time in Christchurch and have felt the warm, open-hearted and generous spirit that is core to its remarkable people.
“No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship.”
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Prince William also visited New Zealand following the Canterbury earthquakes and the Pike River Mine tragedy.
