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It was hard to look at him and not think of his mother. Prince William, the second in line to the throne and as relaxed as we had ever seen him, moved easily alongside the hordes of fans and well-wishers. Every man, woman and child with their arms outstretched received a gentle smile and handshake, some enjoyed a friendly chat, a quick hug – others elicited laughter from the man dubbed the People’s Prince.
It was the first time William (27) had visited New Zealand as the Queen’s official representative – and it was as much a test for him as it was for us. Would he be able to fill Her Majesty’s shoes? How would he be received? Would we like him? Well, New Zealand loved William – for his sense of occasion as much as his sense of humour, his grace and his good looks!
It was a chance to see the fairytale come to life – to meet a true Prince Charming. The most important duty of his whirlwind 48-hour trip last week was to open New Zealand’s Supreme Court building as a representative of the Commonwealth and it was here that large crowds congregated to catch a glimpse of a prince. Draped in a korowai cloak, placed around his shoulders by a member of Te Atiawa iwi, William – clearly moved by the gesture – evoked memories of his own mother who received a cloak by the same weaver while on tour with Prince Charles in 1983.
Inside the new state building, he spoke warmly of his affection and admiration for New Zealand and our people, saying, “The overwhelming impression I have is of a nation that believes passionately in itself, in the value of democracy, in each other and other peoples, and in the rule of law. New Zealand’s values are ones that I greatly admire.” As he left the courtroom, the prince was faced with an adoring crowd of almost 3000 well-wishers and, although he was pressed for time, William happily embarked on an impromptu walkabout.
Screaming teenage girls waved homemade posters declaring their love for the young royal, while elderly fans reminisced about meetings with his grandmother and mother. one female fan recalled how she had met his mother in 1983 and how beautiful she had looked. “Yes, she was so elegant,” William replied.
Yet the prince, so like Princess Diana in his warmth, sincerity and humanity, shook off any comparisons with his late mother. “I wouldn’t say I was anywhere near her level,” he smiled as he met sick children at Wellington Hospital. “She had a fantastic affinity with kids and with everyone. I just go and meet people and enjoy their company.”
William, travelling without his girlfriend Kate Middleton, appeared to strike a chord with most Kiwis, including members of our All Blacks rugby team, who met the prince during a tour of Eden Park’s new facilities. Captain Richie McCaw described him as “a genuine bloke” and lock Ali Williams invited him over to his place with some mates for the evening. “I said, ‘You’re more than welcome to come and join us.’ And he said he’d love to but he had prior engagements.”
There were some detractors, of course – those supporting a republic protested at the Supreme Court building and an exclusive barbecue at Premier House was briefly interrupted when a radio DJ breached security for an on-air prank, bearing sausages and white bread.
Overall, however, William, Prime Minister John Key declared, “is a thoroughly charming young man” and had a most enjoyable stay. Next time we see him, hope his fans, he will bring with him a new wife. “Wait and see,” was all William would say on the matter of whether or not an engagement to Kate is on the cards.
