Royal Guard of Honour
On his arrival at Wellington, on 18 January 2010, His Royal Highness Prince William received a royal salute from a 100-man Navy, Army, and Air Force Royal Guard of Honour while the Central Band of the Royal New Zealand Air Force played ‘God Save the Queen’.
Prince William was accompanied by the Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant General Jerry Mateparae as he inspected the Guard.
He then joined Prime Minister John Key and National War Memorial chairman Rear Admiral (Rtd) David Ledson, and moved into the Hall of Memories where he laid a wreath inscribed with: “In deep respect and grateful memory of the men and women of the armed forces who have sacrificed their lives for New Zealand and for freedom.”
After the wreath laying he laid a poppy on the Tomb of the Unknown Warrior. He then had the chance to speak to a number of New Zealand Defence Force personnel who had been members of the Guard of Honour.