Britain’s Prince William and Duchess Catherine received a traditional Maori welcome into New Zealand this morning (07.04.14).
The royal couple – who, along with their eight-month-old son Prince George, have embarked on a three-week tour of Australasia – were driven from Wellington Airport to Government house, where they pressed noses with Maori leaders Lewis Moeau and Hira Hape in a traditional hongi greeting, before being confronted by 35 semi-naked toa warriors.
Catherine – who was known as Kate Middleton before her marriage – appeared startled when three of the warriors picked up spears and advanced on them while shouting war cries, before one of them placed a dart called a rake tapu at her husband’s feet.
William picked up the rake tapu and maintained eye contact with the warrior, to prove he had come in peace.
The group them performed a haka powhiri welcome dance for the royal couple, who had left their infant son indoors because of the damp weather, and William then inspected a guard of honour and took a 21 gun salute.
The couple then chatted to children from local schools and many of them were in awe of the British royals.
One little girl said: "Kate is just so perfect – she is a proper princess. She said her hair was stringy because of the rain but it looked amazing to me.
"They said they were really excited to be in New Zealand and they were sorry they couldn’t bring baby George outside but it was too rainy."
William and Catherine welcomed to New Zealand
