Low cloud delays Royals’ trip to New Plymouth

Surprise visitor… A bumble-bee lands on Prince Charles’ lap, causing Duchess of Cornwall Camilla to burst into laughter.

After the ceremony, Charles and Camilla took their seats in a prime position with Tuheitia’s eldest son Whatumoana sat next to them, and Maori elders were seated to one side with the Kingi.

The royals also will visit the home of a few of New Zealand’s rarest birds, reptiles, and plants.

His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales has met Labour leader Andrew Little and Prime Minister John Key in Auckland this evening.

Charles said that their decision was of “enormous importance” and mirrored his own belief that future global problems would come from catastrophic events like sea level rises or droughts.

He affectionately touched her on the arm as they briefly said hello, and asked if she was keeping well.

During the coming days Charles and Camilla will be welcomed to Turangawaewae Marae, the home of the Kingitanga or Maori King Movement, where they will view a waka armada of canoes on the country’s longest river, the Waikato, on the North Island.

Every year Tibbeth Smith sends Prince Charles a birthday card and a Christmas greeting and was rewarded for her efforts when the prince and duchess attended the Tea for Taranaki garden party.

“The Prince has a real passion about work he’s doing in that area particularly for developing states and he’s got an idea that he’s working on that he’s bring to Paris for COP 21”, said Key.

Later in the day a royal walkabout in the centre of Auckland attracted several hundred people to see Charles and Camilla.

Ms Kahu said: “She picked it up very quickly, I just showed her a couple of times and she knew exactly what to do”. “It was a good laugh”. “I get letters back from them, but they are never signed”.

The Prince and the Duchess of Cornwall played their role to perfection, edging slowly to the traditionally dressed – more half-dressed – Maoris performing a spectacular haka.

Charles will visit the Te Rewa Rewa bridge and the coastal walkway, then head just out of town to check out a dairy farm.

Last Saturday New Zealand became the first nation to win successive World Cup titles when they beat Australia in a thrilling final at Twickenham.

Charles, a former Royal Navy helicopter pilot, told the troops that 40 years ago he had been a “small cog” in a military exercise, adding: “But whatever the case, you can always blame me if it goes wrong”.